We are independent agents and can help you get Medicare Advantage, Supplement, and Prescription Drug Plans. Call us today for more information.
TRADITIONAL MEDICARE AND WHAT IT CONSISTS OF? WHEN AND HOW TO ENROLL?
6
South Texas Showdown: Democrats Take the Offensive in Key Congressional Races
By Matthew Choi, The Texas Tribune
Two of Texas’ most competitive congressional races are back, with familiar faces squaring off. In the 15th and 34th Congressional Districts, Democrat Michelle Vallejo is challenging Republican Rep.
Monica De La Cruz, while Republican Mayra Flores is attempting to reclaim her seat from Democratic Rep. Vicente Gonzalez. These races, largely defined by Hispanic voters in a traditionally Democratic stronghold, are seeing renewed interest as Democrats gain momentum.
In 2022, Republicans went on the offense, making historic gains in South Texas. De La Cruz became the first Republican to represent the 15th District, and Flores briefly held the 34th District before being unseated by Gonzalez. Both districts were hotly contested, but Republicans underperformed nationally in the midterms, despite hopes of a “red wave.”
This year, the dynamic has shifted. Democrats are receiving more funding and support, particularly with Vice President Kamala Harris at the top of the ticket. Democratic candidates, like Vallejo, have moderated their platforms and received national backing, giving them a better shot at victory. Democrats have also benefited from coordinated efforts across the state, including support from Rep. Colin Allred’s Senate campaign, which has bolstered resources in South Texas.
Despite this, Republicans remain confident. De La Cruz and Flores are well-funded and backed by national GOP groups, and polling suggests the races will be close. The GOP has been making inroads with Hispanic voters, and Republican hopes are buoyed by shifts in voting trends across South Texas. While Democrats are optimistic about their chances, the region remains a battleground as both parties gear up for another intense election cycle.
This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune. org/2024/10/14/south-texas-congressional-races-monica-de-la-cruz-vicente-gonzalez/.
The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.
MEN’S SOCCER EARNS FIRST WAC WIN BY DEFEATING AIR FORCE
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros men’s soccer team earned its first Western Athletic Conference (WAC) victory of the season by beating the Air Force Falcons 5-1 on Sunday at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex.
Page 4
Local Events
Test Your Fishing Skills at the Thrilling Tournament
Do you have what it takes to reel in the biggest catch? Get ready for a funfilled and competitive day on the water with our upcoming Fishing Tournament! Whether you’re an experienced angler or just love spending time outdoors, this is your chance to showcase your fishing talents and compete for some fantastic prizes.
Page 5
OPINION
BY ANDRES OPPENHEIMER
You really think Donald Trump was
a
good president? Look at his record
Here’s the biggest myth that Republican candidate Donald Trump is trying to sell to Americans and to the world: that he was a good president.
Trump’s continuously repeated falsehoods about his record as president have convinced many people who find him to be a horrible person, but nevertheless support him because of what Trump says about his term in office.
“Yes, I know, he’s 78, he’s not as sharp as he used to be, he lies all the time, he has cheated on his wives, he makes racist comments, he is a convicted felon, and he tried to carry out a coup after he lost the last elections. But he was a good president,” a Republican friend told mea recently.
Let me share with you some facts to help fight political amnesia. In fact, Trump was one of the worst presidents in recent history. Here are the facts:
A larger deficit
On the economy, Trump left the biggest deficit in U.S. history.
Under Trump, the national debt grew
much faster than during his successor Joe Biden. Like most populists, Trump cut taxes and spent as if there were no tomorrow, leaving a national debt that will have to be paid by our children and grandchildren for decades.
The national debt rose by almost $7.8 trillion to $28 trillion during Trump’s four years in office, according to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York. The debt has kept growing since, but at a significantly slower pace.
As for the country’s economic growth, the U.S. economy under Trump grew by an overall 6.8%. By comparison, it grew by 8.4% in the Biden years.
On the jobs’ front, Trump left office with 3 million fewer jobs than there were when he entered the White House. Granted, that was largely because of the pandemic, but Biden has added nearly 16 million jobs since then.
Granted, inflation was lower under Trump than under Biden. The pandemic disrupted supply chains from China and made consumer prices soar in America in 2021 and 2022. But inflation has since fallen to 2.4%, close to its pre-pandemic levels.
A weakened democracy
On democracy, Trump undermined democratic institutions and the rule of law like no other American president in recent memory. He is the first U.S. president I can remember who tried to stage a coup d’etat to stay in power.
Trump falsely claims to this day that he won the 2020 election, even after more than 60 courts and the conservative-majority Supreme Court found his objections to be unsubstantiated.
Then, he tacitly tried to incite rebellion on Jan. 6, 2021, when he waited for hours before trying to stop a pro-Trump mob from invading the U.S. Capitol in hopes of overturning the election result. He continues to praise the violent rioters who injured more than 100 police officers, calling them “patriots” and government “hostages.”
Emboldening dictators
On foreign policy, Trump weakened America’s standing in the world by picking fights with the closest U.S. allies while at the same time embracing dictators such as Russia’s Vladimir Putin and North Korea’s Kim Jong Un.
Trump withdrew from the Paris Climate Accord and threatened to abandon the U.S.-European NATO military alliance. Trump’s threats to leave NATO significantly damaged the group’s unity and probably encouraged Putin to plan his 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Trump deserves credit for the Abraham Accords to help establish diplomatic ties between Israel and some Arab countries. But if you look at the world in terms of superpower-led blocs, Trump left power in 2020 with a weaker Western alliance and a
stronger China and Russia.
Reproductive rights
On abortion, Trump appointed three conservative Supreme Court judges who played a crucial role in overturning Roe v. Wade, a ruling that had made abortions legal in the country for nearly 50 years. As a result, some states banned abortions, and some women reportedly died because they could not get proper medical care to end their pregnancies.
More hatred
On crime, hate crimes increased by 28% during Trump’s term and hate-motivated murders, mainly committed by white supremacists, reached their highest number in 28 years, according to FBI statistics.
Trump has exacerbated racial hatred in the country since he started his 2016 campaign falsely declaring that most Mexican undocumented immigrants are “rapists” and are “bringing crime” to America. In 2017, he said that there were “very fine people” among white supremacists and the anti-racism demonstrators who were protesting against them in Charlottesville, Virginia.
Trump’s racist statements have worsened since. He recently falsely claimed that Haitian immigrants are eating the pets of Americans in Springfield, Ohio. In an Oct. 7 radio interview, Trump said that unauthorized migrants who committed violent crimes have “bad genes,” a language reminiscent of Adolf Hitler’s efforts to dehumanize Jews.
Also, in 2020, the last year of the Trump presidency, there was the biggest one-year increase in the number of murders since the 1960s, according the Politifact fact checking website. In addition to the pandemic and the George Floyd riots, Democrats attribute the 30% rise in murders to the relaxation of gun control laws under Trump.
False border promises
On immigration, Trump never completed the border fence nor got Mexico to pay for it, as he had promised in his 2016 campaign. Trump now claims to have built much of the current 654 miles of border wall, but most of it was already in place and repaired or upgraded during his years in office, according to Customs and Border Protection data.
On the COVID-19 Pandemic, Trump scorned face masks and at one point asked Americans to inject themselves with disinfectant to fight the virus. Scientists say many of the 400,000 COVID-19 deaths during his presidency could have been averted if he had exhorted people to get vaccinated.
The list of Trump administration failures goes on and on. So if you are planning to vote for Trump because of something specific he has promised, and you are willing to believe a compulsive liar, go ahead. But please don’t tell me he was a good president: he was a disaster on virtually all fronts.
Texas Municipal League Municipal Excellence Awards Finalist
We are thrilled to announce that the City of Mission has been selected as a finalist for the Texas Municipal League Municipal Excellence Awards in the City Spirit category for our innovative Community Tool Shed program!
Launched in September 2023, the Community Tool Shed allows Mission residents to borrow a wide range of tools to tackle home improvement and maintenance projects, all at no cost. With over 30 tools available, from power drills to lawn care equipment, this program empowers residents to take on projects they might not otherwise be able to complete.
The Community Tool Shed is conveniently located outside the Speer Memorial Library at 801 E 12th St, Mission, TX. It’s a perfect example of how our community can come together to share resources and help one another.
For more information about the program or to borrow tools, please call (956) 580-8750.
We’re honored to be recognized for this initiative, and we look forward to continuing to serve the Mission community!
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Readout of the Justice Department’s Interagency Convening on Advancing Equity in AI THECB Launch New Tool To Streamline College Application Process
Office of Public Affairs | U.S. Department of Justice | Press Release
The Justice Department’s Civil Rights Division convened principals of federal agency civil rights offices and senior government officials to foster AI and civil rights coordination.
This was the fourth such convening by the Civil Rights Division, coming up on the one-year anniversary of President Biden’s Executive Order on the Safe, Secure and Trustworthy Development and Use of Artificial Intelligence (EO 14110), which tasks the Civil Rights Division with coordinating federal agencies to use our authorities to prevent and address unlawful discrimination and other harms that may result from the use of AI in programs and benefits, while preserving the potential social, medical and other advances AI may spur.
The convening highlighted a recent Justice Department symposium on AI focusing on combating technology-enabled crime — including crime facilitated by AI. The Civil Rights Division’s Chief Technologist presented remarks at the symposium, and the event included discussion of the department’s role in negotiating the first international agreement providing a shared baseline for using AI in a way that is consistent with respect for human rights, democracy and the rule of law.
To strengthen the division’s efforts to ensure equity in AI, the Civil Rights Division recently retained a Chief Technologist, Dr. Laura Edelson. She is helping to systematically expand the division’s AI enforcement
capacity and to increase the efficiency of its operations by harnessing technological modernization.
At the convening, agency technologists and researchers, including Dr. Edelson, discussed the role of auditing in preventing, investigating, monitoring, and remedying algorithmic bias. Auditing is used to verify that algorithms generate accurate results, as opposed to reflecting historical bias against protected classes.
Agencies discussed their efforts to safeguard civil rights through robust enforcement, policy initiatives, rulemaking and ongoing education and outreach. These accomplishments include:
A Federal Trade Commission report finding that large social media and video streaming companies engaged in vast surveillance of their users, including kids and teens, with insufficient privacy controls;
An Equal Employment Opportunity Commission report highlighting barriers to equal opportunity in the high tech workforce and sector and calling for concerted efforts to address discriminatory barriers;
A Department of Labor (DOL) sponsored resource to help employers consider disability inclusion and accessibility in AI hiring technologies; and
A Department of Education guide that reminds developers who design for education with AI that they share responsibility with educators for advancing equity and protecting students’ civil rights.
The interagency convening’s attendees included representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, Education, Energy, Health and Human Services, Homeland Security, Interior, Labor, Transportation and Treasury, as well as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, Federal Trade Commission and Social Security Administration. Director Naomi Barry-Perez of the DOL’s Civil Rights Center and Department of Transportation Civil Rights Director Irene Marion were in attendance to provide updates for their agencies.
All participants pledged to continue collaboration to protect the American public against any harm that might result from the increased use and reliance on AI, algorithms and other advanced technologies. The agencies also agreed to partner on external stakeholder engagement around their collective efforts to advance equity and civil rights in AI.
For more information, see the Civil Rights Division’s webpage, which centralizes content related to the division’s work on AI and civil rights. This resource provides information about how advanced technologies can result in unlawful discrimination and what the division can do to assist victims of discrimination. The webpage also includes key resources on AI and civil rights from enforcement agencies throughout the federal government.
Office of the Texas Governor | Greg Abbott | Press Release
Governor Greg Abbott and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) launched a new Direct Admissions initiative to provide Texas students with an innovative tool designed to streamline the college application process.
“One of our top priorities in Texas is to ensure the next generation of Texans have the opportunity to choose the best education options so they can succeed in high-demand, good-paying jobs after graduation,” said Governor Abbott. “As a father, I understand how confusing and stressful the college application process can be for your family. With the launch of Direct Admissions, the college application process will be made easier for young students and their families to choose the best Texas college or university for them to lead successful lives in our state. Working together, we will continue to develop a college admissions process that is more efficient and effective for all Texas students and create a brighter future for our great state.”
“We know that college admissions can be an exciting, but challenging process for students,” said Interim Commissioner of Higher Education Sarah Keyton. “The impact of that is real, with some students hesitating to even apply. Direct Admissions has the potential to reduce time, boost confidence, and increase transparency, encouraging Texans who might not otherwise consider college to take the next step.”
“Through Direct Admissions, Texas is able to accelerate the state’s work to make the college admissions process more efficient and effective for Texas students,” said
effort will help more students achieve their educational goals while providing the educated workforce our fast-growing economy demands.”
Direct Admissions is now available in My Texas Future, the state’s one-stop college and career advising website, providing students with a list of participating Texas institutions where they can qualify for acceptance before they even begin the college application process.
With Direct Admissions, students share their academic information, including class rank, grade point average, and SAT/ACT score, through their My Texas Future profile. Students can receive their list as early as the end of their junior year.
Once students know where they can be admitted via Direct Admissions, they will then need to complete an application in ApplyTexas to verify their academic information. This also allows higher education institutions to determine if students qualify for scholarship and program offers. If a student does not qualify for direct admission at a particular college or university, they may still apply through the traditional application process.
Development of Direct Admissions was supported by philanthropic funds through THECB’s official nonprofit partner, the Texas Higher Education Foundation.
Direct Admissions joins other tools developed by THECB, including My Texas Future and ApplyTexas, that help Texas students and families more easily and efficiently achieve their education and career goals.
Students and families interested in finding out more about Direct Admissions can do so at My Texas Future.
Chair of the THECB Dr. Fred Farias. “This
STRONG SERVING LIFTS VOLLEYBALL OVER TEXAS A&M-COMMERCE
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros volleyball team served up 13 aces Saturday as they defeated the Texas A&M-Commerce (AMC) Lions in a Southland Conference (SLC) sweep, 3-0 (25-15, 25-19, 25-19), at the UTRGV Fieldhouse.
The 13 aces for UTRGV (8-8, 4-2 SLC) matches the second-most single-match total this season. Senior outside hitter Claudia Lupescu and junior Sharyland Pioneer alum Natalie Reyes set new single-match career highs serving five and four aces, respectively. Lupescu also had eight kills and eight digs.
Sophomore outside hitter Nadine Zech led the Vaqueros with 15 kills on .500 hitting. Senior outside hitter Ilana De Assis added eight kills, four digs and two aces, and senior right side Perris Key recorded seven kills. Sophomore setter Isabella Costantini dished out 32 assists with six digs and two aces. Sophomore libero Celianiz Cabranes had 14 digs.
AMC (6-13, 3-4 SLC) was led by Reese Fetty’s eight kills. Gracie Campbell and Kitana Tuufuli had six kills each. Jade Smith tabbed a match-high 15 digs.
The Vaqueros dominated the opening set, playing with great energy to win it 25-
Exciting Cheerleading Adventure with
15. They were sharp on the attack, hitting .500 as a team with zero attack errors in the set. Costantini distributed the ball nicely among her offensive weapons and had the Lions defense scrambling. Pressure from the service line was a big factor, too, as UTRGV served seven aces in the first set.
AMC took an early lead in the second set as the teams went back-and-forth through the first 20 points. Behind great serving from Reyes, which included three consecutive aces, UTRGV went on a scoring run to get in control up 20-13. Cabranes was electric as she covered the court, diving and passing well to keep the Vaqueros rolling. The Lions made a late push, but Key and Zech came up big to secure the set, 25-19, for UTRGV.
The third set started in a similar fashion, with a slow open from the Vaqueros and Commerce jumping on top. UTRGV quickly responded with a 7-0 scoring run behind tough serving from Assis and production across the net from the Vaqueros hitters. The Vaqueros went up by 10 at 19-9 as Zech got hot, recording nine kills in the frame. The Lions went on a 5-0 run late, but Zech and Co. came through to secure the sweep, 25-19.
Up next for UTRGV is a Thursday match at Northwestern State at 6:30 p.m.
Isyour child ready to jump, tumble, and cheer their way into a world of fun and excitement? We invite boys and girls aged 6 and up to join our Cheerful Champions class—a dynamic and energetic program that focuses on skill development, teamwork, and the joy of performance!
What to Expect in Cheerful Champions:
Skill Development: From basic motions to advanced stunts and tumbling, your child will learn and improve cheerleading skills in
MEN’S SOCCER EARNS FIRST WAC WIN BY DEFEATING AIR FORCE
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) Vaqueros men’s soccer team earned its first Western Athletic Conference (WAC) victory of the season by beating the Air Force Falcons 5-1 on Sunday at the UTRGV Soccer and Track & Field Complex.
This is the second time the Vaqueros (3-5-2, 1-1-2 WAC) have scored five goals this season, tied for the 13th-highest single-match scoring total in program history.
Down 1-0 early, the Vaqueros scored twice in a span of about 10 minutes. In the seventh minute, junior Kgodiso Sukati scored his team-leading fourth goal of the season. The play started when junior Kimito Fritz sent a pass up the right side of the box to sophomore Jaime Carrillo who passed diagonally to the left side of the net, allowing Sukati to force the ball into the goal.
About 10 minutes later, senior Cesar Baltazar scored his first goal of the season on a long free kick to give the Vaqueros a 2-1 lead.
The Vaqueros added three goals in a span of nine minutes early in the second half.
In the 55th minute, freshman Valley View alum Pablo Torre scored his third goal on a header with Fritz and Carrillo picking up assists.
a supportive and encouraging environment.
Teamwork and Sportsmanship: Our program emphasizes the importance of working together, building friendships, and learning what it means to be part of a team.
High-Energy Fun: With plenty of cheers, chants, and routines, kids will stay active while expressing their creativity and spirit.
Performance Opportunities: Your child will have the chance to showcase their skills in performances that highlight their progress and enthusiasm.
Four and a half minutes later, Carrillo assisted on a goal by sophomore Keaviano Francis.
In the 64th minute, senior Jason Robles scored on Torre’s first-career assist to complete the scoring.
Carrillo finished with a career-high three assists, tied for the third-highest single-match total in program history, while Fritz’s two assists were his first of the season.
The Falcons (1-10-1, 1-3-0 WAC) scored their goal in the fifth minute. Carter Rizzo took a penalty kick that was stopped, but he followed the rebound and sent it into the net.
That was it against junior RGV FC Academy alum and Brownsville native Alexis Gonzalez (1-1-1), who made one save while making his third start in a span of four matches.
Will Collins (1-7-0) made two saves while playing the first half for the Falcons. Brody Smith made three saves in the second half.
The Vaqueros outshot the Falcons 19-5, including 11-2 on goal.
UTRGV is back in action on Thursday at 10 p.m. at UNLV in a game that can be seen domestically and internationally for free via WAC International.
Why Join?
Whether your child is new to cheerleading or looking to build on existing skills, Cheerful Champions offers a fantastic opportunity to develop athletic abilities, build confidence, and have a blast!
Sign Up Today!
Don’t miss out on this exciting adventure! Enroll your child today and let them discover the world of cheerleading.
Test Your Fishing Skills at the Thrilling Tournament
Do you have what it takes to reel in the biggest catch? Get ready for a fun-filled and competitive day on the water with our upcoming Fishing Tournament! Whether you’re an experienced angler or just love spending time outdoors, this is your chance to showcase your fishing talents and compete for some fantastic prizes.
What’s in Store:
Exciting Competition: Cast your line and try to reel in the biggest, most impressive fish of the day!
Trophy for the Champion: The angler with the biggest catch will take home the grand trophy and all the bragging rights.
Swag for All: Every participant will receive a swag bag packed with goodies, plus a certificate of participation to commemorate the day.
Fun for Everyone: Whether you’re fishing for glory or just for fun, this event promises a day of excitement, relaxation, and community bonding.
How to Get Involved:
Don’t miss your chance to be part of this amazing tournament! Grab your fishing gear, bring your best casting skills, and prepare for a memorable day on the water.
UTRGV NRC and OneStar to host RGV Nonprofit Summit Barbie-Style Night at the Dream Dance Event
Are you ready for an unforgettable night of dancing, fun, and fabulousness? We are thrilled to invite you to our Dream Dance event, a night inspired by all things Barbie! This is your chance to channel your inner glam, dress up in your favorite Barbie-inspired attire, and dance the night away with friends and family.
What to Expect:
Barbie-Themed Decorations: Immerse yourself in a magical atmosphere where everything is pretty in pink!
Music and Dancing: Our DJ will be spinning the best tunes, guaranteed to keep you on your feet.
Photo Ops: Capture picture-perfect moments in front of our Barbie-inspired backdrops.
Fashion Fun: Show off your most stylish outfits and step into the world of Barbie for a night.
Create Everlasting Memories:
Whether you’re coming with friends, family, or solo, this event promises a night of joy, laughter, and unforgettable memories. Don’t miss your chance to be a part of something magical.
Register Today!
Spots are limited, so make sure to grab your tickets and secure your place at this one-of-a-kind event. Click the link below to register:
By Victoria Brito Morales
The UTRGV Nonprofit Resource Center is joining forces with OneStar to host the 2024 RGV Nonprofit Summit, Oct. 30 in Harlingen.
This year’s RGV Nonprofit Summit – themed Threads of Transformation: Weaving Nonprofits for Impact – invites individuals in the Valley’s nonprofit sector to network, participate in capacity-building sessions, and explore collaborative opportunities to enhance their collective impact.
Beverley Gonzales, program coordinator for the UTRGV Nonprofit Resource Center, said this summit will benefit nonprofit leaders and staff, board volunteers, social entrepreneurs, academics, sponsors and exhibitors.
“Whether you’re deeply involved in the nonprofit world or just starting to explore it, the summit offers valuable opportunities for learning, networking and making a difference,” Gonzales said.
Keynote speakers include Sabrina Walker Hernandez, CEO of Supporting World Hope, and Chris Bugbee, president and CEO of OneStar.
The event will be held at the Harlingen Convention Center, located at 701 Harlingen Heights Drive. Breakfast and lunch will be provided; the summit concludes with a networking reception.
Registration cost is $59. Deadline to register is Wednesday, Oct. 16.
Register here: https://secure.touchnet.net/C20545_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=5809
Scholarship Application (limited number available): https://onestar.tfaforms.net/f/RGVSummitScholarship
Schedule and session details here: https://2024rgvnonprofitsummitschedule.my.canva.site/
For special accommodations or more information, contact the center at 956-665-7566 or email nrc@utrgv.edu.
Traditional Medicare and what it consists of? When and how to enroll?
MARTA JIMÉNEZ INDEPENDENT INSURANCE AGENT
5500 N. MCCOLL RD STE A mcallen texas 78504 OFF TELF 956-631-2202 CELL 956-467-6994
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it mandatory to register for Medicare?
It is not mandatory, but it is very convenient. Medicare is an excellent option at affordable prices to have medical coverage in your retirement stage.
If you review the current prices in the private market, for a Major Health Plan for a person in their 60s, you will see the high monthly costs, which can be from 900.00 to more than a thousand dollars per month. However, as a Medicare beneficiary, you will be able to access medical expense plans at much lower prices and with excellent coverage.
If you do not register at the correct time, this could mean that you could incur permanent penalties when you decide to register and you could lose the guaranteed entry rights of the Medicare Supplement (Guaranteed issue right).
There are some exceptions to the rule, when the person has other medical insurance, which protects them as much as a Medicare plan will protect them. Examples of these cases are employer plans and Veterans plans.
Do all Medicare beneficiaries pay the same for Part B?
The standard premium for Medicare Part B is currently 174.70, which is what most beneficiaries pay.
However, if the income of the individual or couple exceeds the limits established by the program, the client will pay a premium adjusted to their income level.
Income Limits
In 2024 the limits are: For an individual is $103,000.00 and for a couple $206,000.00. If the income of the couple or the individual is below those figures, the standard premium of 174.70 per month will be paid.
If we exceed that income limit, the Part
B and Plan D premium will be adjusted (IRMAA) to the income level and the income of the two previous years reported to the IRS will be considered.
How to choose a Medicare plan
When we have traditional Medicare as independent individuals, we can take several paths:
Stay with only traditional Medicare.
By considering this option you will only have coverage for 80% of medically necessary services and some preventive services. The client will be responsible for 20% and the deductibles, both for Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B.
It is important to remember that traditional Medicare does not have an outof-pocket maximum and does not include prescription coverage at the pharmacy, neither additional benefits, such as Vision and Dental.
Traditional Medicare + Medicare Supplement + PDP Plan D
In this second option, the client stays with Traditional Medicare as their primary insurance, covering 80% and acquires a secondary Medicare Supplement or Medigap plan, which will cover the 20% that Medicare does not cover and the deductibles or part of the deductibles at the doctor and the hospital.
This type of plan has the advantage that it will have solid coverage throughout the United States, if the doctors or hospitals accept Medicare.
With the Medicare supplement, the client will have a lot of flexibility to decide when and where to receive medical care, will not require referrals to see doctors and could request a second opinion, for example, without going through so many authorizations and regulations.
The Medicare Supplement plan requires the payment of a monthly premium, which depends on the type of supplement plan, the patient’s age, place of residence, whether they smoke, and their gender.
Medicare supplement plans are standardized, which means that your coverage will be the same if you buy a G supplement plan, regardless of the company you choose. This is determined by CMS (the Medicare and
Medicaid centers) throughout the United States.
When choosing a supplement plan, the price factor is important, however, it is not the only thing to consider. It is important to evaluate the company’s recent history in terms of annual premium increases, the strength and reputation of the company in the market, and how long the company in question has been offering that type of plan.
In Texas, there are more than 48 companies offering supplement plans, so it could be difficult to analyze such a volume of plans and company options. If you work with a local independent agent, who knows the plans in that market, in a short time you can have an analysis of all these variables and you will be better prepared to make a good decision.
It is important to mention that the price to pay for any of the choices you make, should be the same as if you call directly to the companies. Working with an insurance Agent does not increase your price at all.
When you have a Medicare supplement you will continue to pay the premium per month every month, even if you do not go to the doctor. It is a way of prepaying for medical services and so when you require medical services, you will no longer have to pay, or your payment will be greatly reduced.
If you choose a Medicare supplement plan, you should also consider a prescription plan or PDP (Plan D) to cover prescriptions at pharmacies. It should be noted that in this option if you want to have any additional benefits like vision or dental coverage, you must add or buy additional plans benefits
Medicare Advantage or Part C.
Medicare Advantage plans are plans offered by private insurance companies, who have a contract with Medicare to represent Medicare beneficiaries.
They design and prepare a benefits package that includes the benefits of Medicare Part A, Part B and in most cases also include Part D (the drug plan) and additional benefits not covered by Original Medicare, such as Dental, Vision, hearing aids, among others.
Medicare Advantage plans are characterized by unifying benefits in one card. These plans designed by insurance companies are reviewed and need approval from Medicare before they can be offered to the
Medicare beneficiaries.
When people sign up for a Medicare advantage plan, it will become their primary health insurance until that plan is active. This does not mean that you cancel the Medicare card, but we replace it with the new card of the chosen plan until it is active.
When we talk about Medicare advantage we will always be talking about the network or list of doctors that you will be able to access with your plan. The client must follow all the rules and regulations established by the plan in question until it is active.
This makes it especially important to review all the variables before enrolling:
-You must review medications
-Doctors
-Preferred hospitals
-Referrals and reauthorizations for appointments and procedures.
-Covered pharmacies
-Out-of-pocket maximum
-Copayments, deductibles, monthly premiums, among others.
All these details should be verified before signing up, so that you can have good coverage and experience with the chosen plan.
Each plan is different, and the same company can have several plans. In Texas we have more than 20 companies offering about 376 plans, so the volume of options to consider could be overwhelming.
In this sense, having an expert, who you can locate again, who can offer you customer service all year round, could be an excellent decision.
The service of an independent insurance agent is free of charge, so consider the option of working with a local agent, who knows the market, the network and most of the plans.
Disclaimer
We do not represent every plan available in your area. Any information and recommendation provided will be based on those plans we present. We represent Insurance companies with 150 plans in your area Please contact Medicare.gov or call 1-800 Medicare or you state Health insurance program (SHIP) to get information about all plans options.
