From Your Agent’s Desk…

February 2025 Newsletter
Newsletter Michael Antonini Newsletter Michael Antonini

February 2025 Newsletter

What kind of flowers should you not give on Valentine’s Day? Cauliflowers Friends,
Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14. It originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine, and through later folk traditions it has also become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.
Also, if you wanted to and didn’t get a chance to change your Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) last fall, then I have good news for you. The Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) continues to March 31, 2025. You can make one change during this time to a different Medicare advantage plan or switch to Original Medicare with a stand-alone drug plan.

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January 2025 Newsletter
Newsletter Michael Antonini Newsletter Michael Antonini

January 2025 Newsletter

Last year I was able to keep all of my New Year's resolutions ... Tucked away in a notebook on my bookshelf!


Friends,
If you didn’t get a chance to change your Medicare Advantage plan during the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) last fall, then I have good news for you. The Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) runs from January 1, 2025 to March 31, 2025. You can make one change during this time to a different Medicare advantage plan or switch to Original Medicare with a stand-alone drug plan.
Some of you might have an IRMAA for 2025 based on your 2023 income. You might be able to appeal that charge using form SSA-44. Please call me for more information if you are not sure how to do it.
I hope everyone has a wonderful, joyous, grateful and healthy 2025.

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December 2024 Newsletter
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December 2024 Newsletter

Amy: How much did Santa pay for his sleigh?
Michael: Nothing. It was on the house.

Friends,

I hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving and are getting ready to celebrate Christmas with your families.

If you still need help with your Medicare decision for 2025, The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs through Saturday, December 7, 2024.  Also, please keep in mind you can make a change from a Medicare Advantage plan to a different one or change to original Medicare with a drug plan in the first quarter of 2025 during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) .

If you have a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) for January because your Aetna PPO was non renewed, then you have until Tuesday December 31, 2024 to enroll, but I’d prefer to be done by Saturday December 21, 2024.

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November 2024 Newsletter
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November 2024 Newsletter

Q: Where do bad rainbows go?

A: To Prism.  It’s a light sentence, but it gives them time to reflect. 

This weekend we turn our clocks back. I must admit, it throws me off for about a week.  I believe I would prefer to just always be on Atlantic Time.  

The presidential election is on everyone’s mind this week. I hope you are also considering your Medicare Election for 2025 as well.  People in Fairfield County on an Aetna PPO are being terminated and we must choose a new plan for next year.  Please enter your information on my plan enroll website, and create a scope of appointment so I can best help you then click the blue button that says "Let’s Get Started." Thank you.

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October 2024 Newsletter
Newsletter Michael Antonini Newsletter Michael Antonini

October 2024 Newsletter

The Annual Election Period (AEP) is upon us from October 15 to December 7.

During this time, you can change plans for next year if you like.  You will be getting a letter on grey paper from me to remind you of your choices.  

Some Medicare Advantage plans raised the maximum out of pocket and lowered the dental benefits and other ancillary coverage. If you are on an Aetna PPO in Fairfield County, your policy was NON - RENEWED for 2025 and we need to speak about moving you to a new plan for 2025. This is my top priority this fall.

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Tuesday’s Topic - 9/24/2024
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Tuesday’s Topic - 9/24/2024

The 2025 Medicare and You Handbook has just been released. Today, I cover what’s new in this year’s booklet. You can download the handbook on the Forms page of my website if you'd like to follow along.

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Tuesday’s Topic - 9/10/2024
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Tuesday’s Topic - 9/10/2024

This week, I cover the implications of the CMS ruling from July 29, 2024 that provided 2025 Medicare Part D bid information and announced premium stabilization.

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September 2024 Newsletter
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September 2024 Newsletter

Friends, I hope you had a nice Labor Day weekend and are enjoying the last days of summer.  

The Annual Election Period (AEP) begins in 4 weeks and there are many new changes for 2025.  Including a new $2,000 maximum out of pocket for prescription drugs and the end of the infamous donut hole. You will also be able to spread your out of pocket drug cost out over the entire year. My guess is this will mean higher premiums for drug plans because of these changes, but I won’t know until October.  So stay tuned please.

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August 2024 Newsletter
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August 2024 Newsletter

I hope you are enjoying the summer and staying cool by a lake or a pool.

Our family recently (after years on the waiting list) became members of the Pinewood Lake Association here in Trumbull. It’s a very peaceful place pictured above. Tried some paddle boarding too, but I’m not coordinated enough for that.

August is Show Time for my daughter then vacation for our family. Frankie will be in the town performance of "Anything Goes" August 2-4. Soon we’re on family vacation before getting ready to get back to school and work.

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Tuesday’s Topic - 7/2/2024
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Tuesday’s Topic - 7/2/2024

Did you watch the first 2024 Presidential Debate last week? Here is a recap of suggestions offered by President Joe Biden and Former President Donald Trump for how each would fix up the Social Security Trust Fund.

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July 2024 Newsletter
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July 2024 Newsletter

Happy 248th Independence Day everyone! Celebrating America's declaring of independence from Great Britain in 1776.

July is a big month for my family. On July 5th I mark 40 years as a licensed insurance agent in Connecticut. Can you believe it?

On July 10, our daughter Frankie (Anna Francesca) has a birthday and Friday, July 26 is my genius wife Amy’s birthday. I can’t tell you her age, I’ll just remember to get the cake, a mushy card, flowers and chocolate. I’m so grateful for these two ladies in my life.

I hope you and your loved ones are enjoying the summer and staying healthy and safe.

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Tuesday’s Topic - 6/25/2024
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Tuesday’s Topic - 6/25/2024

This week, we continue our discussion on proposed changes to Social Security and in particular, talk through potential adjustments to the Earliest Eligibility Age.

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Tuesday’s Topic - 6/18/2024
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Tuesday’s Topic - 6/18/2024

The last time the Social Security Administration raised the retirement age was 1984. Here’s my suggestion for how the SSA should raise the retirement age now.

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Monday News Flash: Social Security Concerns & A Call for Compromise
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Monday News Flash: Social Security Concerns & A Call for Compromise

I read two articles last week that I wanted to discuss my thoughts about with you. One quantifies the Baby Boomers’ anxiety over Social Security benefits and the other discussed the response from the House of Representatives after the Chief Actuaries of the Social Security Trust Fund and Medicare Trust Fund went to Capitol Hill to discuss the challenges they’re facing. Watch below:

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Tuesday’s Topic - 6/11/2024
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Tuesday’s Topic - 6/11/2024

The Social Security Administration is exploring changes to the Full Retirement Age which would affect anyone turning age 62 in 2024 and older. I discuss the 7 potential changes here.

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