An Introduction to Life Insurance Underwriting
When applying for a life insurance policy, it is helpful to know the different types of life insurance underwriting you may experience as you go through the approval process. Let’s look at what it ...
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6 Ways to Support Breast Cancer Awareness Month
We are stronger when we face things together! October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and a chance to show support for the many people in our communities affected by breast cancer. Here are several ...
Common Medicare Scams in 2022
Medicare scams have seen a staggering rise in the past few years. If you are on Medicare or are nearing your Medicare eligibility, you have likely received countless mailers, seen the ...
Understanding Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuities
What is a MYGA? MYGA stands for Multi-Year Guaranteed Annuity. This specific type of annuity offers a guaranteed fixed interest rate for an established period of time selected by the owner (e.g. 4% ...
What is ANOC and Why Is It Important?
As autumn arrives, Medicare recipients will be bombarded with Medicare mail. Most of the time, it is just advertisements from organizations trying to sell you what they have to offer. However, there ...
Buying Life Insurance for the Grandkids
As you age, it may be important to leave a piece of life’s greatness to your future generations. That can mean sharing an heirloom that has been passed down from prior generations, contributing ...
Medicare Commercials: Deciphering Fact from Fiction
Prepare yourself: we are about to enter the season of Medicare advertising. Soon you won’t be able to escape the barrage of mail, television, and online commercials about Medicare.
Get to Know Your Medicare Team at Twin City Underwriters
At Twin City Underwriters, we know how overwhelming the Medicare journey can be. Before joining, you’ll find yourself wondering – When do I apply? What type of plan is right for me? What insurance ...
What is a Fixed Annuity?
With multiple kinds of annuities available, it is important to know how each of them works. Looking at an annuity in its entirety, the common goal is to increase the value of the amount vested and ...
The Medicare Donut Hole: How Does It Work?
If enrolled in Medicare, the word donut hole may not leave you thinking of the tasty pastry. When it comes to Medicare drug plans, also known as Medicare Part D, knowing what to expect and how your ...
How Much Life Insurance Do I Actually Need?
When it comes to life insurance, it is essential to define what you want to protect in the event of your passing. Determine your goal: perhaps you want to leave a legacy with a loved one or make sure ...
Staying Connected with Family Near and Far
There are so many ways to utilize technology to ensure we stay close and connected to loved ones who are away. Video Chats and Zoom events have become rituals for families with time zone challenges. ...
Dental Implants and Medicare
Dental care is essential to our overall health. When considering having dental work or dental implants done, remember first to check what dental coverage your current insurance provides.
Traveling with Medicare Advantage: What You Need to Know
Are you eager to check off a list of desired places on your travel bucket list? We look forward to hearing about your plans! As you buy your tickets and pack your bags, here are some planning ...
How to Stay Safe and Beat the Heat This Summer
Summer! The season that makes us forget the cold of the previous months. The season that brings sports, graduations, outdoor activities, gardens, the Minnesota State Fair, and all sorts of fun in the ...
What Is An Annuity?
An annuity can play an important role in your retirement. Whether you are trying to increase your retirement savings, control some tax exposure while accumulating, or need guaranteed income, there ...
Helping a Parent with Medicare Coverage
Caring for aging parents can be stressful and overwhelming. Focusing on what you can control and where you can receive support in this situation can help lead to a better outcome. When supporting an ...
7 Ways Seniors Can Stay Sharp: Improve Mental Well-Being, Memory and Focus
In today’s day and age, one might find it easy to feel disconnected with the world. With that disconnection some may feel that their senses are dulled, or that their memory retention and focus have ...
Life Insurance from Employers: Is it Sufficient?
Many people wonder if life insurance provided by employers offers sufficient coverage. If you were to pass unexpectantly, do you know if the policy benefit will cover your income and the expenses ...
Don’t Forget to Schedule Your Annual Wellness Visit
Did you know that within the first 12 months of getting part B of Medicare, you get a free “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit with your primary care provider? You do! Each year thereafter, ...
Traveling with Original Medicare and Medicare Supplements
Ready to fulfill your travel bucket list? Have your destination set and your passport in order? Have you considered your Medicare health coverage for your upcoming trip? We have you covered. Here is ...
Does Medicare Cover Prescription Lenses or Glasses?
With all the commercials, mailings, and other Medicare communication, you may wonder if your Medicare plan offers those extra benefits you hear people talking about. One of those extras might be ...
What to Know About Your Medicare Card
When you start Medicare, it’s helpful to know exactly how to use your new Medicare card. Where should you keep it, when do you show it, and how do you keep it safe? We’ll cover all of this and more ...
How Can Preexisting Conditions Affect Life Insurance Approval?
In What Ways Can Preexisting Conditions Affect my Approval for a Life Insurance Policy?
3 Ways to Stay Active This Spring
As the weather warms and the flowers bloom, it’s a perfect time to get outside and reconnect with people, nature, and the things that bring us joy. Here are a few ways to get outside and stay active ...
Does Medicare Cover Basic Screenings?
Regular health screenings are one of the best ways to prevent disease and identify potential risk factors. Because of this, Medicare plans generally cover all basic screenings – and even some that ...
What Does a Life Insurance Broker Do?
Life insurance seems straightforward, but it can get complicated pretty quickly. If you’re confused about life insurance and which plan is right for you, it may be helpful to have a knowledgeable ...
Health Tips for Caregivers
Being the primary caregiver for a parent or loved one is difficult, both physically and emotionally. It’s important for caregivers to take care of their own health to prevent burnout and resentment. ...
How to Know If You Need a Medigap Plan
There are some health care costs, such as copayments and deductibles, that are not fully covered by Medicare. One can expect to incur these types of expenses, which is why a Medigap plan may be a ...
What You Can Expect in a Life Insurance Health Exam
If you need to increase your life insurance coverage outside of an enrollment period or above set coverage limits, you may have to undergo a life insurance health exam. That may sound intimidating, ...
How to Know If You Need a Medicare Advantage Plan
When you’re newly eligible for Medicare, the options can be overwhelming. What’s the difference between Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D and Medigap? How do I know if I need a Medicare ...
Nutrition Tips for Older Adults
Eating a healthy diet can be tough at any age, but it’s often especially difficult for seniors. There are many reasons for this. Appetites fluctuate, nutritional needs change, and chronic disease or ...
What is IRMAA?
IRMAA stands for Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. In short, IRMAA is a potential extra charge added to your Medicare Part B or Part D premium that is determined based on your income. In ...
Medicare Prescription Deductibles: What You Need to Know
When comparing Medicare Part D plans, it’s important to consider all the details. Medicare prescription deductibles are one of the factors that will impact the overall cost of your plan. Here’s what ...
How Seniors Can Stay Safe This Winter
Winter is a time for getting cozy indoors, catching up on books and movies, and spending time with loved ones. However, the cold, snow and ice make winter more difficult for all Minnesotans. This is ...
Do Medicare Star Ratings Matter?
What are Medicare Star Ratings? Medicare star ratings rank Medicare plans from 1 to 5 stars, with 5 being the highest. Any plan that has lower than 3 stars for three years in a row will be flagged as ...
7 Medicare Facts You May Not Know
When you’re enrolling in Medicare or choosing a new Medicare plan, it’s important to understand the options and process. However, we know that Medicare can be confusing! To make it easier, we’re ...
Does Your Medicare Advantage Plan Offer Extra Benefits?
There are many health care services that are not covered by Original Medicare. These include vision and preventative dental care, hearing aids, and prescription drug costs, among others. If you need ...
Why It’s Important to Review Your Medicare Plan Information
The Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) runs from October 15 to December 7. This is when you can join a new Medicare plan or make changes to an existing plan. Unless you experience a qualifying ...
Understanding Coverage for Durable Medical Equipment
What qualifies as durable medical equipment? What type of durable medical equipment (DME) is covered by Medicare? How much will DME cost me? These are questions you might have when figuring out which ...
The 2022 Annual Election Period is Coming Up!
The 2022 Annual Election Period, or AEP, runs from October 15 and December 7. During AEP, Medicare recipients can change their Medicare and prescription drug plans for the following year. Even if ...
Why You Should Schedule an ANOC Meeting
A Plan Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) isn’t as intimidating as it seems. If you already have a Medicare plan, you will receive an Annual Notice of Change each fall. Your ANOC will have information ...
Will Original Medicare Meet My Coverage Needs?
Today, we’ll discuss Original Medicare in-depth. This will help you understand what it is, what type of coverage it includes, the cost of the plan, and if it fits your needs.
The SurePlan® Medicare System Makes Medicare Decisions Easy
Whether you’re new to Medicare or have been covered by Medicare for years, it can be confusing to sort through the options and choose a plan that meets your needs. The Twin City Underwriters’ ...
The Life Insurance Ladder Strategy
As you age and reach new life milestones – marriage, homeownership, the birth of a child, retirement – your life insurance needs will change too. This can create a challenge. You don’t want to pay ...
What is the Medicare Donut Hole?
What is the donut hole? Will it affect me? When will that happen and how long does it last? You may have heard the phrase “Donut Hole” when it comes to Medicare. Unfortunately, this isn’t referring ...
How to Increase Life Insurance Coverage
Has your life changed since you took out your life insurance policy? It’s very common. Perhaps you were newly married when you first signed up for insurance. Now you’re in a new home with a baby on ...
Are Skilled Nursing Services Covered by Medicare?
Whether you’re recovering from an injury, a planned medical procedure, or simply need extra care following a hospitalization, skilled nursing services can cover care needs during the transition ...
How Much Life Insurance Do I Need?
When signing up for a life insurance plan, balance is important. You want to get the right amount of coverage for your needs and goals, without overpaying for coverage you don’t need. Unfortunately, ...
Why Hospital Admittance Classification Could Impact Medicare Coverage
If you or a loved one is admitted to the hospital, whether for a routine procedure or an unexpected illness, it can be a stressful experience. Of the many details to keep track of, the patient’s ...