From Your Agent’s Desk…
February 2024 Newsletter
Michael: I’ve been hitting the gym pretty hard last month Client: Did you lose any weight? Michael: No, but I broke my hand
Friends, Groundhog Day, celebrated every year on February 2, is an unusual holiday that stretches back hundreds of years back to European traditions and even ancient times.
Groundhog Day is famously connected to weather prediction, with the most prominent tradition involving a groundhog predicting the conclusion of winter by seeing (or not seeing) his own shadow.
January 2024 Newsletter
Friends,
Last year, I was able to keep all of my New Year’s resolutions …
tucked away in a journal on my bookshelf.
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, 2024 to March 31, 2024. 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.
If you or a friend needs a nice 2024 magnetic calendar, please let me know your address and I’ll mail you or a friend one.
I hope everyone has a wonderful and joyous 2024.
Happy New Year!
December 2023 Newsletter
What did Adam say on the day before Christmas?
"It's Christmas, Eve!"
Friends,
I hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving and are getting ready to celebrate the holidays with your families.
If you still need help with your Medicare decision for 2024, the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) runs through Thursday December 7, 2023. Also, please keep in mind you can make a change from aMedicare Advantage plan to a different one or change to original Medicare with a drug plan in the first quarter of 2024 during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (OEP) as well.
November 2023 Newsletter
Q: What type of key can never open a door?
A: A Tur-key
Friends,
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.
My predictions of the Cost Of Living Adjustment (COLA) and Medicare Part B premium came true. I’ll get into more details in the "What’s New" section of this newsletter.
Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and be grateful for all of the blessings in life. I have about 26-30 people I’ll be hosting, so my work availability will be limited from late on Wednesday 11-22 until Monday 11-27 at 9 am.
I wish you and yours a Happy Thanksgiving.
October 2023 Newsletter
Q: What did the pumpkin say to its carver?
A: Cut it out!
Friends,
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.
Many Medicare advantage plans raised the maximum out of pocket and either lowered the dental benefits or are charging more than double what they were this year for dental. Also, many plans changed their names for some reason. If you are on the UHC PPO 004, we need to speak about moving you to the UHC PPO 005.
Drug costs are supposed to be going down, and in 2025 there will be a maximum out of pocket of $2,000. However, for some reason many drug plans went way up in premium cost for 2024. We should look at changing your stand-alone drug plan if you are on Aetna/Silver Script, Elixir, Humana or AARP Walgreens currently. I will need a listing of your medications and preferred pharmacy please.
September 2023 Newsletter
Amy : “Michael, were any famous men born on your birthday?”
Michael : “No dear, only little babies”
“You know you are getting old when the candles cost more than the cake”.
– Bob Hope
From your agent’s desk
Friends,
I find it hard to believe this is my fourth September monthly newsletter I’ve sent. Seems like the dad jokes started just a short time ago. Also, in the "hard to believe" category is that in
40 months from today, I will join you as my own Medicare client on January 1, 2027.
Speaking of 40, next year, 2024, marks my 40th year as a licensed insurance agent in Connecticut. I was first licensed on July 5,1984 and my cousin Alice was my first client.
If you know anyone else who might benefit from this newsletter, please ask them to visit my website www.michaelantonini.info and then add themselves to my newsletter mailing list from the bottom of my home page. Thank you in advance.
August 2023 Newsletter
Patti: Does laziness run in your family?
Michael: No one runs in my family.
Friends,
August is showtime for my daughter, then vacation for the family.
Frankie will be in the town performance of "Anastasia" August 2-6 and the next week we’re on vacation before getting ready to get back to school and work.
Some of you might think that all I do is tell dad jokes and go on vacation. Well, I do live a blessed life and I will be back to work full time by the fall busy time. Until then, I hope you are enjoying your summer and I look forward to connecting with you in September.
Kind Regards,
Michael Antonini
July 2023 Newsletter
What's the difference between a duck and George Washington?
One has a bill on its face, the other has his face on a bill.
Friends,
Happy 247th Independence Day everyone! Celebrating America's declaring of independence from Great Britain in 1776.
July is a big month for my family. On July 5, I mark 39 years as a licensed insurance agent in Connecticut. I’m shooting to make another 16 years at least.
June 2023 Newsletter
Q: Why did the cookie go to the doctors?
A: It was feeling crummy.
Today, June 1, 2023 is my 16th wedding anniversary to my wife Amy. She is a
genius. We’re in Newport, RI, so I’ll keep this short.
June is a month of high school and middle school graduations and I’m giving a
shout to our daughter Frankie’s 8th grade graduation and stepping up to high
school in the fall. She also is accepted into the Regional Center for the Arts.
We also celebrate Father’s Day in June. So happy Father’s Day, happy graduation
and happy June birthdays to everyone who falls in these categories.
May 2023 Newsletter
Free coffee!
Friends,
What’s the leading cause of dry skin?
Towels!
Last month, Clara G. won the free lunch because she was the 26th person to open
my newsletter. I wished more people could win. So this month the first 50 people
who email me back with their coffee preference of Dunkin’ or Starbucks will
receive a $10 gift card in the mail to your address I have on file of your preferred
place and win a free coffee on me. Thanks again for reading my newsletter!
April Lunch Winner
Congratulations to Clara G. who was the 26th person to open my 4/1 newsletter and won lunch on me. She couldn’t believe she won. I also invited her husband and he reminded her that it was April Fools Day, and I was probably joking - but I wasn’t AND that didn’t even occur to me when I reached out.
April 2023 Newsletter
What’s the best thing about Switzerland?
I don’t know, but their flag is a big plus!
It’s tax season and in Connecticut you have until Tuesday April 18, 2023 to file your return or a request for an extension this year. If you do need to file that is.
My accountant and wife are in cahoots and tell me that I need more expenses. I feel like each year I pay more in taxes and more to my accountant, but they say that as long as I keep growing my revenue it’s a good thing to pay more and spend more. I’m not sure I get that, but since my wife is a genius, I’ll listen.
Gratitude Update
In my March blog post, I shared a little about the power of gratitude and wanted to share the fruits of my gratitude efforts with you.
March 2023 Newsletter
Spring fever is upon us with the spring equinox on Monday, March 20 at 5:24 PM DST. But first we have to move the clocks ahead on March 12, 2023 at 2 AM. We close the month with my son Johnny’s 15th birthday, which seems like yesterday, and makes me think I can easily remain a Medicare agent for 15 more years as long as I have my health. Maybe Johnny will want to take over then?
February 2023 Newsletter
How many of you were in or knew someone in the Boy Scouts?
I have some fond memories as a Scout and later as Scoutmaster. February reminds me of Valentine’s Day but also of the anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scouts on February 8, 1910. I’ll touch more on the virtues of Scouting later in this newsletter.
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.
January 2023 Newsletter
What is a New Year's resolution?
Something that goes in one yEAR and out the other.
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.
December 2022 Newsletter
Amy: “Michael, please, can you show me a good time?”
Michael: “Look at this picture. Those people are having fun.”
Friends,
We tease because we love. I hope you enjoyed Thanksgiving and are getting ready to celebrate Christmas with your families.
If you still need help with Medicare for 2023, the Annual Election Period (AEP) runs through Wednesday December 7, 2022
November 2022 Newsletter
Q: When did the duck wake up the morning after clocks were turned back?
A: At the quack of dawn.
P.S. We really needed the extra hour to come up with more daylight savings time jokes … Do you have any for me?
October 2022 Newsletter
Question: What’s the best time on a clock?
Answer: 6:30. Hands Down
The Annual Election Period (AEP) is upon us from October 15 to December 7.
During this time you can changes plans for next year if you like. You will be getting a letter on blue paper from me to remind you of your choices.
September 2022 Newsletter
I asked my son Johnny what his career goals might be now that he’s in high school. He said “I’m aspirin’ to be a pharmacist."
Friends,
September always reminds me of back to school. My son starts high school, my daughter is coming off her lead performance in the summer play and is ready to dominate her final year of middle school. I just hope I can keep up with them.