A Blueprint for Avoiding Seasonal Gloom

If you’ve never worked with an insurance broker or agent to buy life or health insurance, you probably have a good reason. You might be introverted and hate talking to strangers. You might be afraid of high-pressure sales tactics. You might not see the point when you can apply online yourself. These are all valid reasons. But working with a professional the next time you need to shop for coverage could be more beneficial than you realize. Here’s what you stand to gain:

Choosing a primary care physician, or PCP, is one of the most important things you can do for your health. And with some health plans, you’ll need a primary doctor to refer you to specialists such as dermatologists, orthopedists and cardiologists. Even if your plan doesn’t require it, choosing a PCP and seeing them regularly can help you stay on top of your health. Why Having a PCP Matters An established primary care relationship can make it easier to get an appointment when you’re sick or a strange symptom crops up. Your main doctor also can be a hub for all your medical information and identify trends, such as gradually increasing blood sugar levels, that may help you avoid chronic illness. They can even be an accountability partner when you’re trying to lose weight or lower your cholesterol. Important Qualities in a PCP Ideally, your doctor will be conveniently located so that distance isn’t a barrier to seeing them. But perhaps more important is how comfortable you feel with them. If you’re from another country, you might prefer a doctor who is fluent in your first language. If you’re a woman, you might prefer a female doctor. Some people prefer older doctors for their experience, while others prefer younger doctors who may be more aware of the latest treatments and technologies. Whoever you choose, your doctor should take time to listen to you and should take your concerns seriously. They should also be proactive about recommending screenings and vaccinations appropriate for your age and risk factors. There’s never a bad time to take better care of your health. Get in touch and see how we can make it easier for you to find the right primary care doctor for your needs.

With so many gatherings this time of year and so many germs going around, getting sick might feel inevitable. But if the pandemic taught us anything, it’s that spending time together in person can do wonders for our mental health. Here’s how to participate in the activities that matter to you this holiday season while reducing your risk of falling ill. Be selective. Limit your exposure to germs by attending fewer events (and thoroughly washing your hands). Fight the pressure of social obligations and focus on: Seeing the people you most want to connect with. Activities that will be the most memorable long-term. Only staying as long as you really want or need to. Avoiding poorly ventilated spaces. Sleep more. Overscheduling yourself in December often means sacrificing sleep. Being intentional about getting an extra hour a night or an afternoon nap can help your immune system fight back. Choose immune-boosting foods. Sugar and alcohol may depress your immune system, but it’s not always realistic to avoid them during the holidays. Think about addition instead of subtraction: Eat one salad or bowl of veggie-laden soup every day with lunch or dinner. Fill two large water bottles every morning and finish them by dinner. Add an apple, orange or berries to your breakfast or afternoon snack. Wear a mask. Masks might not bring back happy memories, but they can still be an effective tool. You might consider wearing a mask when you’ll be exposed to lots of germs but it won’t interfere with socializing — like while you’re on a plane, running errands or watching a school Christmas concert. Don’t forget that your health insurance likely pays for seasonal vaccines. It may also offer telehealth visits if you’re not feeling well. Get in touch if we can answer any questions about your coverage.

Do you know where you stand on your retirement savings goals for this year?

Whether you start your day with a latte or sip a soda with your sandwich, there’s a good chance you’re one of the millions of people who consume caffeine daily. But have you ever wondered if it’s really helping you, or if you might be drinking too much? How does caffeine help? Improved alertness: If you’ve ever been the driver on a road trip, you’ve likely relied on caffeine to plow through the long, dull stretches. Improved concentration: Focus is at a premium in this era of constant distractions. Caffeine is cheap, accessible and prescription free. Reduced pain: Some over-the-counter pain relievers include caffeine to reduce discomfort. Constipation relief: A morning cup of coffee can improve regularity and comfort. How can caffeine harm you? Wreak havoc on your sleep: Caffeine can contribute to insomnia and a cycle of caffeine dependence. Increased heart rate and blood pressure: Decaffeinated drinks may be a better choice for certain medical conditions. Increased anxiety: Instead of a pleasant buzz, you may feel unexpected dread. Withdrawal symptoms: Any disruption to your customary amount of caffeine can cause lethargy, crankiness and headaches. How much caffeine is right for you? How much caffeine you can consume in a day depends on several factors. Genetics: People metabolize caffeine at different rates. Health: Your health conditions and medications may impact how caffeine affects you. Preference: Some people don’t like to consume things that impact their alertness or mood. If you require caffeine to get through each day, you might have an underlying condition — such as sleep apnea or ADHD — that has more effective solutions. Does that sound like you? Reach out if you need help deciphering your benefits or finding in-network providers who diagnose these and other conditions.

Health insurance premiums and medical bills can feel hard to control. One way to make these costs more manageable is through a health savings account, or HSA. It lets you save pretax dollars, then withdraw your money tax free to pay for health care. Here’s what you need to know about eligibility, contributions and withdrawals. Eligibility You must have a qualified high-deductible health plan (HDHP) to open and contribute to an HSA. You can get your qualified plan through work or the health insurance marketplace, and you can open an HSA through your employer or on your own. You also won’t lose your account if you’re laid off or change jobs. You’re not eligible for an HSA if you’re enrolled in Medicare or if someone can claim you as a dependent on their tax return. Contributions The most you can contribute in 2025 is $4,300 if your plan only covers you, and $8,550 if it covers you and a spouse or dependent. Taxpayers 55 and older can each contribute an extra $1,000. Withdrawals You don’t have to spend all your HSA funds each year. You can leave the money in your account indefinitely. You can also spend it in years when you don’t have a high-deductible plan. If you withdraw the money for anything other than a qualified medical expense, you’ll owe income tax at your marginal rate. If you’re younger than 65, you’ll also owe a 20% penalty. Long-Term Planning Some people invest HSA contributions they won’t need to withdraw for at least 10 years. Why? An HSA is the only account with no taxes on contributions, no taxes on growth and no taxes on withdrawals used to pay qualified medical expenses—it’s a triple tax advantage. Wondering how to open an HSA or have questions about how it works? Get in touch for assistance.

If you’re 60 or older, you might think the opportunity to buy life insurance has passed you by. While premiums do increase with age, you may have more options than you realize for term or permanent life insurance — even if you have some health issues. Here’s what to know: Do seniors even need life insurance? Maybe you’ve retired and no longer have coverage through work, or the term policy you bought when you were younger has expired. Yet, you don’t have enough assets to help your loved ones maintain their quality of life or avoid burdening them with your end-of-life expenses. Life insurance is designed to solve problems like these, even when you’re older. Do you need temporary coverage? A term life policy provides coverage for a predetermined number of years. Maybe you thought you’d have a paid-off home by now, but instead you have 10 years left on your mortgage. A 10-year term policy may be a good choice. Do you need permanent protection? Burial or final expense insurance is a whole life policy with a small death benefit (often $50,000 or less). It’s designed for older adults who have health issues or can’t afford a larger policy. There’s no medical exam to qualify; you only have to answer a medical questionnaire. If you’re eligible for a simplified issue policy, your coverage will begin as soon as you’re approved. If you have serious medical conditions, you can get a guaranteed issue policy. It has no medical questionnaire but doesn’t pay a death benefit for the first two years. If you die during that time, the insurance company will refund your premiums to your estate. Many seniors (and their adult children) have financial concerns that life insurance could address. Let’s explore your options today.

Getting health insurance through your job is often a major perk. Group coverage can offer better benefits at a lower cost than individual coverage. But what if you don’t like the plans offered by your employer? Maybe the premiums are too high or your doctors aren’t in network. The good news? You may have other options. The bad news? Rejecting employer coverage can make the alternatives less attractive. Affordable Care Act Marketplace Coverage Through HealthCare.gov or your state’s health insurance exchange, you can shop for individual coverage. If your income is low enough, you may receive premium tax credits and cost-sharing reductions that make premiums and care more affordable. You won’t be eligible for these money-saving features, however, if your employer’s plan meets the ACA’s requirements for affordability and minimum value . Tax Breaks on Workplace Coverage If your employer offers coverage, they’re probably paying most of the premium . Your employer considers that expense part of your compensation. Yet, if you reject coverage, you’re unlikely to get a raise. Plus, when you get coverage through work, you pay your premiums with pretax dollars — a savings you typically don’t get with individual coverage. Timing When you reject employer coverage outside of annual enrollment, you won’t be able to get a marketplace plan or opt back into employer coverage unless you have a qualifying life event. You’ll still be able to buy an individual plan outside of the marketplace, but these plans aren’t eligible for subsidies or cost sharing. Make an Informed Choice Before opting out of employer coverage, let us help you evaluate your options. We can help you compare multiple plans with your workplace insurance so you can make an informed decision and get the best policy for your budget.