SBC Insurance Solutions

11/24/2025

Just 2 more weeks to make changes for your 2026 Medicare plan!

We will be at Wynne Apothecary again tomorrow, Tuesday Nov. 25, from 10 am until 3 pm, if you need to make an appointment for us to help look over your plan choices for next year.

Call Ashley at (870) 558-6105 to book your spot today or stop by and see how we can help!

10/10/2025

Here is our concern with NEA Baptist, their current “negotiations” with United Healthcare, and how they are alarming people into thinking they can’t use their insurance with any of their providers after November 15th…should they not come to an agreement before then. Here is the issue: there is no way to change your Medicare plan for next month or for December. We are approaching the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) which runs from October 15th to December 7th every year. That is the period of time to change your Medicare plan, either Part D drug coverage or Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans for 2026. There are special enrollment periods for things such as plan terminations, moving, retirement, adding Part B coverage, those with Medicaid or Extra Help changes, etc., but nothing to allow people to change because of provider networks during the last 2 months of 2025.

We feel some of these letters being sent, news releases, text alerts, and other means of communication are being very misleading. If you read carefully, it says that after November 15th, should they not reach an agreement, NEA Baptist will no longer be “in network”. Many of these plans are PPO plans and allow beneficiaries to see “out of network” providers. They may face higher copays, yet some may not have any change in copays or coinsurance, but NEA Baptist could still allow these UHC members to be seen and bill it as “out of network.” Furthermore, for those that cannot change their plan before the end of the year, will NEA Baptist choose not to see them anymore or charge them knowing that they have no option until January 1st 2026 to have a new plan in place? That seems a little unfair to the patient.

All the more reason to let a licensed insurance agent help you navigate through these changes without panic, and not trust anyone who calls or forces you to change without weighing all your options. There is still time next month to make any changes for the future in regard to UHC and NEA Baptist should they not reach a new agreement.

JONESBORO, Ark. — NEA Baptist will be out of network for patients under UnitedHealthcare beginning Nov. 15, according to a statement from hospital administration. In a statement provided to NEA Report on Thursday, NEA Baptist Memorial Hospital said it has been unable to reach a new agreement with ...

10/09/2025

The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period is almost here! Let us help you pick the plan that is best for you! You will have between October 15th and December 7th to make a change, so there is no rush...sometimes it is best to wait a few weeks until Medicare has all the plan information downloaded correctly.

There are some important changes for 2026 that you may not be aware of, including Part D premiums, plans, and costs associated with these plans for next year. Make sure to let us help see if all your medications will be covered and which plan will allow you to use the pharmacy or provider or your choice!

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A few key changes:

The maximum out-of-pocket for prescription drug plans will increase to $2,100 in 2026. Likewise, the prescription drug deductible set by the federal government will increase to $615. There are a few plans that may have lower deductibles and initial drug costs in exchange for a higher premium.

For those in dual-eligible plans (Medicare & Medicaid): The ability to use spending cards for groceries, utilities, and other items will all depend upon chronic medical conditions that you may have. Also, plans that previously had $0 copays for prescription drugs will now be based on your low-income subsidy...meaning you may start paying low copays. We can check to see what you qualify for with these plans.

Some Medicare Advantage and Part D plans are terminating, some according to what county you live in, therefore you will have to make a new plan choice to have coverage in 2026. We can help you with these choices!

Medicare supplement (Medigap) premiums may also be rising for certain plans and areas.
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11/28/2024

11/09/2024

New 2025 Medicare Parts A & B Costs Released

On November 8, 2024, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2025 premiums, deductibles, and coinsurance amounts for the Medicare Part A and Part B programs, and the 2025 Medicare Part D income-related monthly adjustment amounts. Medicare Part B Premium and DeductibleMedicare...

10/01/2024

Have you seen these posts? Which one is true, or are they both true? This is why it's important to let a licensed insurance agent guide you through your options and find out what works best for you!

You may see providers or friends post about the dangers of Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans, while you may also encounter those that claim Medicare Advantage is a better option. The truth is, they can both be true...but there are some very dangerous situations that could happen if you simply ditch an Advantage plan to go back to original Medicare (Part A & B). Did you know that if you simply have original Medicare Parts A & B along with a Part D plan to cover prescription medications WITHOUT getting a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan then you will be responsible for deductibles, 20% coinsurance, and other costs that you may not realize? Likewise, unless you sign up for a Medicare Supplement (the most common being Plan G) during your guaranteed issue period (like when you turn 65 or drop your employer coverage) then the plans are NOT GUARANTEED to accept your application. This means you WILL BE responsible for all the added costs that a Medicare Supplement would cover.

Sometimes clients cannot afford the monthly premiums that come with Medicare Supplements. That makes Medicare Advantage plans attractive to them, since most don't have an added monthly premium, and come with extra benefits like dental, vision, hearing, plus other extras. While during your guaranteed issue period monthly premiums for Medicare Supplement plans can run between $120-$150 for most, but this amount will go up as you continue to age. Advantage plans can also be a good option for those with Medicare & Medicaid (known as "dual-eligible") as they add extra benefits on top of what Medicaid already covers.

Truth is, there is no "one-size fits all" approach to Medicare, and it's important to weigh all of your options before you get caught in a pickle. Medicare Supplements that allow you to see any providers and cover what Medicare A & B don't cover are good for many people, however Medicare Advantage plans can also be a good option for many people that can't afford Supplements or that want added benefits. Make sure to check with a licensed agent before you make the wrong choice for your health care needs.

09/25/2024

Have you heard about the new Medicare Prescription Payment Plan? This is a new way to help spread out your costs throughout the year if you expect to have high copays or coinsurance at the beginning of the year in 2025. There is also a new $2000 max out-of-pocket that starts next year, which means no more dreaded "donut hole" or coverage gap. Learn more about the new payment plan by clicking the link below. We'll also be glad to help explain how you may or may not benefit from this plan starting next month!

What’s the Medicare Prescription Payment Plan? The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan is a new payment option in the prescription drug law that works with your current drug coverage to help you manage your out-of-pocket costs for drugs covered by your plan by spreading them across the calendar yea...

08/25/2024

Another reason why it’s important to let a licensed agent (who is also a medical professional) help you make the best choice for your Medicare plan this year!

The move to protect some older Americans from higher costs would come just ahead of the election.

08/08/2024

Need help finding a plan? Turning 65 and not sure how to navigate your Medicare choices? Want to save money on your health care costs? Give us a call today! Let a licensed insurance agent who is also a pharmacist help you understand your choices!