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Issue #152
News and Events
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In This Issue:
- Medicare Open Enrollment starts October 15th
- Photos from July's Open House and Shred Event
- FSA Pet Spotlight: Christina and Curie
- Back to School Tips
- Monday, September 1st: Office Closure (Labor Day)
- LPL Market Research
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Greetings!
Can you believe we’re already heading into the final stretch of summer? Just like that, August has arrived and summer’s starting to wind down. We hope you're getting in those beach walks and barbecues, making the most of the warm days.
| As the days shorten and back-to-school ads pop up, it’s a gentle reminder that fall and Medicare’s Open Enrollment is just around the corner. While October might still feel far off, now is a great time to start thinking ahead and getting prepared! | |
Understanding the Basics of Medicare – Open Enrollment Starts October 15th
Medicare is the United States' federal health insurance program primarily for people aged 65 and older. It also covers certain younger individuals with disabilities or specific conditions such as End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
Medicare is divided into four parts:
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Part A (Hospital Insurance): Covers inpatient hospital stays, hospice, and some home health services.
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Part B (Medical Insurance): Covers outpatient care, doctor visits, preventive services, and some home health care.
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Part C (Medicare Advantage): Offered by private insurers, Part C combines Parts A and B and often includes Part D and additional benefits.
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Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage): Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs.
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Enrollment typically begins three months before turning 65 and includes a seven-month initial enrollment period. Medicare helps reduce out-of-pocket medical costs but often works alongside supplemental insurance for broader coverage.
Medicare Open Enrollment, also known as the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 7, 2025. During this time, Medicare beneficiaries can make changes to their coverage for the upcoming year.
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What You Can Do During Open Enrollment
- Switch from Original Medicare (Parts A & B) to a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) or vice versa.
- Change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another.
- Enroll in, switch, or drop a Medicare Part D (prescription drug) plan.
- Update coverage to better fit health or financial needs.
| | | | Changes made during open enrollment take effect on January 1 of the following year. | | | | Reviewing your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) and Evidence of Coverage (EOC) helps determine if your current plan still meets your needs. | | | | Even if you’re happy with your current plan, it's a good idea to review options annually—plans and drug formularies can change. | | | | There is also a Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period from January 1 to March 31, but it's only for those already in a Medicare Advantage plan to make limited changes. | | |
Need help during open enrollment or answering questions about Medicare? You can visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE for assistance.
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If needed, we would be happy to provide a referral to an insurance broker who specializes in Medicare. As always, we are here to support you and we encourage you to reach out any time.
Financial Steward Associates
303-444-5440
financial.steward@lpl.com
| | Photos: Open House and Shred Event | | It was such a delight to share our beautiful new space with our local clients and help get their personal documents shredded at our Open House and Shred Event last month. It was wonderful sharing good food, good company, and lots of laughter. Please enjoy a few photos from the big day! | | Smiles for miles - including our new furry friend Pearl! | | We had a fantastic time celebrating our new office with everyone! | |
Looking forward to seeing you at our next gathering!
| | FSA Pet Spotlight: Christina and Curie | | | | |
Pet Name: Curie
Human Companion: Christina, FSA Office Manager
What’s your pet’s weirdest quirk?
Hiding in the shadows in a dark house only to come bolting out of the darkness to tap a soft paw on your ankle as you walk by like “Tag! Gotcha!” before darting back into the shadows again.
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What is the worst or funniest thing your pet has done?
Eating bites out of everything in the pantry. We had no idea she could open cabinet doors without thumbs! We had to put child locks on them.
How would you describe your pet’s personality in one sentence?
“Pet me and also don't pet me and also give me your dinner.”
Give us a fun fact about your pet.
My son named her after Marie Curie, the Polish-French physicist and chemist who conducted pioneering research on radioactivity. At the time, I was teaching him about female scientists in history and he felt it was a good name because “she was so curious like a scientist and Curie sounds like ‘curious.’”
What’s your favorite thing about your pet?
If you lay on the couch with a fuzzy blanket on you, she will come make biscuits on your belly and fall asleep for HOURS.
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Tell us the story of how you got your pet.
We adopted her from the Longmont Humane Society in 2021. We said, “We want your most talkative cat!” We didn’t understand why the staff looked so relieved until we had her for a week and discovered HOW INCREDIBLY TALKATIVE SHE ACTUALLY WAS. She must have been driving them crazy with her vocalizations! We think she's a great conversationalist.
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As the long, sunny days of summer wind down, the start of a new school year is just around the corner. While some kids are eager for the first day back, others might feel a bit down about summer ending.
Here are some helpful tips for parents and kids from PBS.org to ease the transition back to school.
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Please share our best wishes with the kids in your life:
May your backpack be light and your pencils be sharp!
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Office Closure
Monday, September 1st
Our office will be closed in observation of Labor Day on September 1st.
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LPL Recaps S&P 500 Gains and Previews Busy Week Ahead
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Weekly Market Commentary
Economy in Uncharted Waters
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Marion Steward, CFP®
for comprehensive Financial Planning, support with financial strategies and investment advice
Heather Williams, CFP®
for comprehensive Financial Planning, support with financial strategies and investment advice
Ned Meloni, CFP® CRPC®
for comprehensive Financial Planning, support with financial strategies and investment advice
Sid Smith, CFP®
for comprehensive Financial Planning, support with financial strategies and investment advice
Harmony Dunnick - Senior Client Service Associate
for opening new accounts and facilitating account transfers, coordinating contributions and withdrawals, and scheduling Financial Reviews
Christina Boykin - Operations and Office Manager
for answers on general information and special events
Not sure who to contact? Email us at our general mailbox and we will direct you!
financial.steward@lpl.com
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Financial Steward Associates
303-444-5440
fax 303-444-6049
www.financialstewardassociates.com
financial.steward@lpl.com
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