Lourie Icon

CMS Removes the 48-Hour SOA Waiting Period: What Agents Need to Know for CY 2027

May 27, 2026

Introduction: A More Practical Appointment Process For the past two plan years, the 48-hour waiting period between obtaining a Scope of Appointment and conducting a Medicare marketing appointment has created a significant scheduling challenge for…

Lourie Icon

Maximizing Opportunities After AEP: A Guide to Medicare Advantage and Part D Enrollment Periods

February 7, 2025

What You Will Learn in this Guide Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP): Learn how this “do-over” period from January 1 to March 31 allows clients to make crucial plan changes. Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs):…

Lourie Icon

2025 Medicare Prescription Drug Cap

January 2, 2025

Starting January 1, a new $2,000 out-of-pocket spending cap for prescription drugs is in effect for Medicare Part D beneficiaries, expecting to save millions of seniors an average of $400 per year. The cap applies…

Lourie Agents Logo on a Gradient Background

Medicare Drug Prices 2026

August 15, 2024

Medicare Drug Prices: The Biden administration announced today the first Medicare drug price negotiations, resulting in a $6 billion savings across 10 drugs to take effect in 2026. Read more here.

Lourie Agents Logo on a Gradient Background

Nursing Home Options

August 2, 2024

Medicare.gov has a feature that allows you to find and compare Medicare-certified nursing homes based on a location and compare the quality of care they provide and their staffing. This is a great tool that may…

Lourie Agents Logo on a Gradient Background

Fewer Americans are buying life insurance. Here’s when you might need it.

July 9, 2024

According to a recent CNBC article by Greg Iacurci, less American households own life insurance than in any period over the last 25 years. There are many reasons to consider life insurance; mortgage protection, final expenses, and…

Lourie Agents Logo on a Gradient Background

As of June 1st, the out-of-pocket cost of some asthma inhalers has been capped at $35 a month.

June 12, 2024

Great news! As of June 1, the out-of-pocket cost of some asthma inhalers has been capped at $35 a month. Find out more by clicking here.

Lourie Agents Logo on a Gradient Background

Did you know that Medicare covers many preventive health services?

June 1, 2024

At no cost to the member, Medicare covers a wide range of preventive screenings. This includes tests for heart disease, colorectal cancer, Hepatitis, lung cancer, HIV, mammograms and more.   Click here to learn more.

Lourie Agents Logo on a Gradient Background

Medicaid Debt Leads to Poor Health & Premature Death

May 1, 2024

According to a report posted by the Association of Health Care Journalists, U.S. consumers are more likely to have worse health status and higher rates of mortality when they have medical debt in collections. Read more here.

Lourie Icon

Medicaid Unwinding SEP Extended

April 3, 2024

CMS has extended the Special Enrollment Period for individuals and families who lost Medicaid or CHIP coverage due to Medicaid unwinding. The new deadline has been extended to November 30, 2024. Please click here for more information.