Latest news with #MedicareAdvantagePlans
Miami Herald
06-08-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
AmeriLife's GS National Insurance Partners With Davies Agency to Expand Health Insurance Services in Western New York
Trusted partners and experts for clients navigating the New York State of Health Marketplace join AmeriLife's growing Health Distribution network CLEARWATER, FL / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / GS National Insurance, a wholesale distributor of health insurance products for independent brokers and agencies, and affiliate of AmeriLife, today announced a strategic partnership with Davies Agency, a leading Medicare and health brokerage based in Orchard Park, N.Y. Per the agreement, terms of the deal were not disclosed. "We are very excited to partner with GS National Insurance and AmeriLife, respected leaders in the Medicare and insurance industry," said Tom and Sue Davies, principals of Davies Agency, in a joint statement. "This strategic partnership marks an exciting chapter in our journey, allowing us to expand our services and deliver even greater value to our clients, partners, and community." For more than 20 years, Davies Agency has specialized in Medicare insurance and individual and family health plans offered through the New York State of Health Marketplace. The agency is known for its personalized approach to health insurance, offering comprehensive services that include navigating Medicare Advantage Plans, Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Insurance, Part D Prescription Drug Plans, Individual Coverage Health Reimbursement Arrangements (ICHRA), and more. Davies' experienced agents, who offer face-to-face, concierge-level support, are trained to support clients with personalized support that takes the confusion out of Medicare and health insurance and helps them maximize benefits to fit their lifestyles. The partnership with GS National and AmeriLife will provide enhanced support, expanded product offerings, and a broader range of solutions and services to agents to streamline their sales processes, grow their books of business, and serve even more clients across the region. "It's an honor to officially welcome Tom and Sue into our family," said Brian Breisinger, founder, president, and CEO of GS National Insurance. "I've had the privilege of working alongside them for several years and have always admired their integrity, client-first mindset, and deep industry knowledge. This partnership represents a continuation of the values and service we both cherish." "We are thrilled to strengthen our Health Distribution family through this partnership with Davies Agency," added Scotty Elliott, AmeriLife's Chief Distribution Officer for Health. "Tom and Sue have built a reputation for excellence and personalized service, which aligns perfectly with AmeriLife's commitment to providing best-in-class solutions for agents and their clients. This collaboration is yet another significant step forward in our mission to enhance the health and well-being of communities across the country." About Davies Agency Davies Agency is a trusted health brokerage in Orchard Park, New York, dedicated to providing personalized support and guidance in navigating Medicare and health insurance options. Their experienced agents are committed to helping clients find the best plans and secure the lowest costs. To learn more, visit About GS National Insurance Founded in 2007, GS National Insurance, an affiliate of AmeriLife, is a national wholesale distributor of insurance products for independent brokers built on the belief that simplicity, transparency, and recognition are the cornerstones for success in the insurance industry. For more information, visit About AmeriLife AmeriLife's strength is its mission: to provide insurance and retirement solutions to help people live longer, healthier lives. AmeriLife develops, markets, and distributes life and health insurance, annuities, and retirement planning solutions to enhance the lives of pre-retirees and retirees across the United States. For over 50 years, AmeriLife has partnered with top insurance carriers to provide value and quality to customers through a national distribution network of over 300,000 agents, financial professionals, and more than 160 marketing organizations and insurance agencies. For more information, visit and follow AmeriLife on Facebook and LinkedIn.
Yahoo
22-02-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
DOJ investigating Medicare billing practices at UnitedHealthcare
The U.S. Department of Justice is investigating the nation's largest health insurer. According to the Wall Street Journal, UnitedHealthcare's billing practices are under investigation. The investigation is focused on the company's Medicare Advantage plans. This civil fraud investigation is looking into alleged extra payments based on a diagnosis on Medicare Advantage plans. As of 2024, over 30 million Americans over age 65 were enrolled in Advantage Plans. That's more than half of all eligible participants. Despite their popularity, Channel 2 Consumer Advisor Clark Howard said traditional Medicare plans are the better choice. 'Some of the plans have not been making enough money, so they're cutting back on benefits, making it even more important for your enrollment next year that you can compare the doctors available and the benefits available under your plan,' Howard said. It is important to note that United Healthcare is not the only company that offers Medicare Advantage Plans. A spokesperson for United Healthcare told Channel 2 that they are unaware of any new probe. The Department of Justice declined to comment on this story. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] TRENDING STORIES: 3 children killed in fire at Atlanta apartment complex A Cobb woman was killed in her home. Now her estranged boyfriend will spend his life in prison Suspect, victim in deadly shooting at McDonald's in Gwinnett were coworkers, police say [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
A divorced couple considers retying the knot to maximize Social Security payments
Dear Liz: I was married for 33 years and divorced 4 years ago. We have reconciled and are now back living together as a couple, but have not remarried. I'm 68, and my former spouse is 63. Neither of us is drawing Social Security, but we are now considering applying. Will she be able to draw more if we were to get remarried? It seems as if half of my payment will be more than what she'd get on her own. Also, when should I start drawing my benefit to maximize the payment? Answer: Let's start with the simpler of the two answers. Your benefit maxes out at age 70, so waiting until then to apply is usually the right strategy. The amount your partner would get as a spouse or a divorced spouse would be the same: up to 50% of your benefit at your full retirement age, assuming that amount is greater than her own benefit. To qualify for a divorced spousal benefit, the marriage must have lasted at least 10 years and two years must have passed since the divorce. There's one crucial difference between spousal and divorced spousal benefits, however. If you remarry one another, she will have to wait for you to apply for Social Security before she can qualify for a spousal benefit. If you don't remarry, she doesn't have to wait. A divorced spousal benefit can start as early as age 62, as long as the ex-spouse is also at least 62. That doesn't mean your partner should rush out to apply. Applying early — before her full retirement age of 67 — means settling for a smaller check. Also, there's a bigger issue: the survivor benefit. If you two don't remarry and you die first, she wouldn't be eligible for a survivor benefit that can be up to 100% of the check you were getting or had earned. Maximizing that benefit could be critical in giving her more financial stability after you're gone. Dear Liz: All of our insurance policies list my name and that of my husband. After the recent devastating Los Angeles fires, I heard from friends that we should add the name of our living trust to our home insurance policy because our house is in the trust. Otherwise, they say, some insurance companies may not cover loss or damages to it due to the discrepancy in the names, even if the trust has both of our names as trustees. Would you please confirm this? Answer: Yes. If your home is in a trust, your insurance policies should list your trust as an 'additional insured.' Insurance companies vary in their contract language, but you don't want to find out after the fact that you aren't covered because you don't technically own your home — the trust does. Dear Liz: You mentioned that Medicare Advantage Plans have networks that can change from year to year, as well as other disadvantages. This is not true for our Medicare Advantage HMO, according to my experience. The HMO has its own doctors and hospitals, but I have not noticed them pulling any surprises. And they do look after your health much better than the traditional Medicare that some of my friends are on. My friends' care is entirely in their own hands, and some are getting very old and would benefit from the care that my HMO provides. Answer: You've highlighted one of the key advantages of a Medicare Advantage HMO, which is coordinated care. There are two main types of Medicare Advantage plans, the all-in-one private insurance alternative to original Medicare. With PPOs — preferred provider organizations — people are generally allowed to see medical providers outside their networks, although those visits will cost more. With HMOs — health maintenance organizations — you're expected to stay in the network for most care, and you often need a referral to see a specialist. You could pay up to 100% of the cost if you use a doctor or hospital not in the HMO. In exchange for those restrictions, people get a primary care provider who coordinates all of their care. That's in contrast to PPOs or original Medicare, where a patient may have many providers who never talk to each other. Liz Weston, Certified Financial Planner®, is a personal finance columnist. Questions may be sent to her at 3940 Laurel Canyon, No. 238, Studio City, CA 91604, or by using the "Contact" form at Sign up for our Wide Shot newsletter to get the latest entertainment business news, analysis and insights. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Sign in to access your portfolio
Los Angeles Times
09-02-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
A divorced couple considers retying the knot to maximize Social Security payments
Dear Liz: I was married for 33 years and divorced 4 years ago. We have reconciled and are now back living together as a couple, but have not remarried. I'm 68, and my former spouse is 63. Neither of us is drawing Social Security, but we are now considering applying. Will she be able to draw more if we were to get remarried? It seems as if half of my payment will be more than what she'd get on her own. Also, when should I start drawing my benefit to maximize the payment? Answer: Let's start with the simpler of the two answers. Your benefit maxes out at age 70, so waiting until then to apply is usually the right strategy. The amount your partner would get as a spouse or a divorced spouse would be the same: up to 50% of your benefit at your full retirement age, assuming that amount is greater than her own benefit. To qualify for a divorced spousal benefit, the marriage must have lasted at least 10 years and two years must have passed since the divorce. There's one crucial difference between spousal and divorced spousal benefits, however. If you remarry one another, she will have to wait for you to apply for Social Security before she can qualify for a spousal benefit. If you don't remarry, she doesn't have to wait. A divorced spousal benefit can start as early as age 62, as long as the ex-spouse is also at least 62. That doesn't mean your partner should rush out to apply. Applying early — before her full retirement age of 67 — means settling for a smaller check. Also, there's a bigger issue: the survivor benefit. If you two don't remarry and you die first, she wouldn't be eligible for a survivor benefit that can be up to 100% of the check you were getting or had earned. Maximizing that benefit could be critical in giving her more financial stability after you're gone. Dear Liz: All of our insurance policies list my name and that of my husband. After the recent devastating Los Angeles fires, I heard from friends that we should add the name of our living trust to our home insurance policy because our house is in the trust. Otherwise, they say, some insurance companies may not cover loss or damages to it due to the discrepancy in the names, even if the trust has both of our names as trustees. Would you please confirm this? Answer: Yes. If your home is in a trust, your insurance policies should list your trust as an 'additional insured.' Insurance companies vary in their contract language, but you don't want to find out after the fact that you aren't covered because you don't technically own your home — the trust does. Dear Liz: You mentioned that Medicare Advantage Plans have networks that can change from year to year, as well as other disadvantages. This is not true for our Medicare Advantage HMO, according to my experience. The HMO has its own doctors and hospitals, but I have not noticed them pulling any surprises. And they do look after your health much better than the traditional Medicare that some of my friends are on. My friends' care is entirely in their own hands, and some are getting very old and would benefit from the care that my HMO provides. Answer: You've highlighted one of the key advantages of a Medicare Advantage HMO, which is coordinated care. There are two main types of Medicare Advantage plans, the all-in-one private insurance alternative to original Medicare. With PPOs — preferred provider organizations — people are generally allowed to see medical providers outside their networks, although those visits will cost more. With HMOs — health maintenance organizations — you're expected to stay in the network for most care, and you often need a referral to see a specialist. You could pay up to 100% of the cost if you use a doctor or hospital not in the HMO. In exchange for those restrictions, people get a primary care provider who coordinates all of their care. That's in contrast to PPOs or original Medicare, where a patient may have many providers who never talk to each other. Liz Weston, Certified Financial Planner®, is a personal finance columnist. Questions may be sent to her at 3940 Laurel Canyon, No. 238, Studio City, CA 91604, or by using the 'Contact' form at
Associated Press
07-02-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Wake Forest Medicare Agent Offers Unrivaled Medicare Plan Comparison Tools For People New to Medicare
02/06/2025, Wake Forest, NC // KISS PR Brand Story PressWire // Neuse Consulting Group Unveils Advanced Medicare Plan Comparison Tools for New Beneficiaries in Wake Forest, NC Wake Forest, NC – Navigating the complexities of Medicare can be overwhelming for newcomers. Recognizing this challenge, Neuse Consulting Group, a top-rated Medicare insurance agency based in Wake Forest, North Carolina, is proud to announce the launch of their advanced Medicare plan comparison tools. These innovative resources are designed to simplify the decision-making process, empowering individuals new to Medicare to make informed choices about their healthcare coverage. Empowering Beneficiaries with Comprehensive Comparison Tools Neuse Consulting Group's state-of-the-art comparison tools provide users with clear, side-by-side analyses of various Medicare options, including: Medigap Plans: Supplemental insurance that covers costs not included in Original Medicare Parts A and B. Medicare Advantage Plans: Alternative plans to Original Medicare, typically structured as HMO or PPO plans with network providers. Prescription Drug Plans: Plans designed to assist with the cost of prescription medications. These tools are tailored to help beneficiaries assess their coverage needs, budget constraints, and preferred healthcare providers, ensuring they make informed decisions about their healthcare coverage. Personalized Consultations for In-Depth Guidance Beyond the digital tools, Neuse Consulting Group offers personalized consultations to address individual concerns and provide expert guidance. Understanding that each beneficiary's situation is unique, their experienced agents are available for: Over-the-Phone Quotes and Consultations: Offering convenience and immediate insights since 2020. Video Call Consultations: For those who prefer face-to-face interactions without leaving their homes. In-Person Meetings: Available for clients who value direct personal engagement. This flexible approach ensures that clients receive the support they need in the manner most comfortable for them. A Commitment to Client Satisfaction Neuse Consulting Group's dedication to client satisfaction is evident in their impressive track record: 12,000+ Satisfied Customers Last Year: Reflecting their commitment to excellence and personalized service. 40+ Carrier Relationships: Providing a broad spectrum of options to meet diverse client needs. 24% Average Savings: Demonstrating their ability to find cost-effective solutions for their clients. 100% Guaranteed Results: Ensuring clients receive the best possible outcomes for their healthcare coverage. Educational Resources to Navigate Medicare To further assist those new to Medicare, Neuse Consulting Group offers a wealth of educational resources, including: Medicare 101: A comprehensive guide to understanding the basics of Medicare and prescription hurdles. Retirement Roadblocks 101: Insights into avoiding the four major retirement roadblocks, empowering individuals to take charge of their retirement journey. These resources are designed to empower beneficiaries with the knowledge they need to make informed decisions about their healthcare and financial future. About Neuse Consulting Group Located in Wake Forest, NC, Neuse Consulting Group is a top-rated North Carolina Medicare insurance agency. They specialize in guiding clients through Medicare, health, life, and annuity options, ensuring personalized solutions that meet individual needs. Their mission is to alleviate the stresses of insurance decisions, making the process straightforward and tailored to each client. Wake Forest, NC
