What is going on in the world of insurance? Here's the latest news regarding Medicare, life insurance, and healthcare which you need to know.
You might have heard the recent news that Social Security is expected to go broke years earlier than anticipated.
That's a debatable fact, depending on what you mean by "broke" and what news source you're reading. For example, one recent article by The Hill claims that the system is already "broke," while a Forbes article claims the Social Security trust fund will remain solvent until 2034.
There's no easy answer on what to believe, but one thing is for sure: If you live long enough, you will probably access to some form of Social Security. But do you really know much about it?
The Social Security Administration (ssa.gov) has a website which provides helpful answers to issues you may have. Ever wondered how much you can expect to receive when you retire? That's just one thing this helpful site can tell you. Here are a few others:
- How to get a replacement Social Security card
- How to find out if you qualify for benefits
- How to apply for benefits
- How to start or change direct deposit of your benefits
- How to appeal a decision
Here's how to get answers to these and similar questions.
And if you have questions about Social Security, there's a good chance you may have questions about Medicare too. For information about Medicare and Medicare plans in the central Virginia area, don't hesitate to contact Pell Insurance Solutions.
I know. It's not insurance news, but this news could keep you from getting sick and using that insurance, so here goes.
Is your kitchen towel making you sick?
According to the BBC, a recent study of kitchen towels found that using a tea towel for multiple uses puts you at risk of food poisoning.
"Multiple use" was defined as using a towel for things like drying hands, wiping counters, and cleaning surfaces. In those cases, researchers found a higher incidence of e coli, a bacteria which can lead to food poisoning.
As a result, the British government recommends washing or changing sponges, tea towels, dish cloths and even oven gloves regularly.
Some experts even recommended changing your kitchen towels daily, or using paper towels.
Wondering when your new Medicare card will arrive?
Medicare.gov has published a a helpful site which shows you-- by state and area-- when to expect your new Medicare card.
As we noted last week, Medicare is rolling out new Medicare cards between now and April 2019 in order to make them more secure. (Read our May 15 blog post to see how to avoid a scam involving the new Medicare cards.)
The site allows you to put in your email address and state in order to identify when your card will arrive, plus a photo of what your card will look like. Virginia cards are in the process of being mailed, so Virginians should expect to receive their cards within the next few weeks.
As always, if you have questions about Medicare and Medicare plans in the central Virginia area, don't hesitate to contact Pell Insurance Solutions.
The CDC (Centers for Disease Control) have posted a 5-minute hepatitis risk assessment to help you determine if you could be at risk for this deadly disease.
The 5-minute assessment is designed to help you decide if you should be tested or vaccinated against the disease.
"That couldn't be me," you might think. But according to the CDC, millions of Americans have either Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, or Hepatitis C, and many may not even realize it. You don't even have to have any symptoms to be carrying it in your body.
At the end, you'll get a free assessment with specific suggestions for whether you should get tested or consider vaccination.
Older adults are five times more likely to have Hepatitis than any other age group in America.
Seniors and Medicare participants: Watch out for this new scam. With Medicare rolling out new Medicare cards between now and April 2019 in order to make them more secure, some people have started a new scam designed to steal your identify...or your money.
Specifically, they are calling seniors and claiming to be from Medicare or Social Security, then saying there is a problem with the card. In one version, they trick the senior into giving up their Social Security number over the phone (never do that!). In another, they convince them they need to pay money to get their new card.
Both scams are just that-- scams.
For the facts about the new Medicare cards, check out this list of "10 things you need to know about your Medicare card" from Medicare.gov.