A growing number of Americans are working past age 65—typically the age when you enroll in Medicare. But if you’re still getting health insurance through your employer at that age, does it make sense to move to Medicare? 

The best answer to that question depends on factors unique to you, including:

• The features and cost of your current insurance.
• The size of your employer’s firm and your income.
• Your health.
• How you want to receive healthcare.

When navigating the question “When should I enroll in Medicare?” it’s important to step carefully in order to avoid stiff late enrollment penalties for Medicare Part B (outpatient services) and smaller penalties for Part D (prescription drugs).
Let’s walk through the rules on timing your Medicare enrollment, and the tradeoffs of these decisions.

​More information found here at Morningstar.com

Learn more about your options at MedicareOptionsForYou.com

The increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters in the United States, and the growing concerns with Climate Change have caused insurance companies to react with increased rates and some reductions in coverage. Below are some tips to help make an informed decision when purchasing your next home or home insurance coverage. 

Before the Purchase

Before purchasing a home or home insurance policy, examine the risks. You can enter the home address into a Risk Calculator, like Risk Factor to help look for potential perils. Also, consult with your agent about what insurance carriers could work best, and to check on the carrier's rating from A.M. Best.

Review Your Policy

Shop around for new policies each year, as rates and needs can change. For example, inflation has drastically impacted construction costs, so your existing coverage may not be enough to cover major repairs. Read the terms of your coverage. Make sure your "Replacement Costs" of your home and it's contents are covered. We recommend contacting your agent to review this policy information.

Reduce Costs

Bundling home and auto coverage (among others) is one potential way to get a discount and save money. Getting the most coverage for your money is a priority, so also make sure that you're over insured for perils that may don't affect you. Home improvements, like securing your roof from wind damage or cutting brush back to reduce fire risk will reduce risks to your house and may also deliver some savings on your insurance.

​Contact your agent today to learn more about your policy and explore other options.

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Your family, their future, and their security are your main priorities. You've created a strong foundation to build that on, but what would happen if half or all of that foundation were to be weakened? Would your family be able to maintain their standard of living if you were unable to work due to an injury from an accident or an illness? The right combination of insurance policies can provide you with much-needed assistance when you need it - and for an affordable amount. ​

Oral healthcare is an essential component of overall healthcare. Good oral health has been linked to a range of health benefits, including improved cardiovascular health, better management of diabetes, and reduced risk of some cancers. Conversely, poor oral health has been associated with a range of negative health outcomes, including chronic pain, tooth loss, and infections that can spread to other parts of the body.
Here are some ways that oral healthcare can improve overall healthcare:

1.     Prevention of Systemic Diseases: Poor oral health has been linked to a range of systemic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory infections. Regular dental check-ups and cleanings can help detect and prevent these diseases.
2.     Early Detection of Health Issues: Regular dental check-ups can help detect early signs of health issues such as oral cancer, gum disease, and cavities. Early detection allows for early intervention, which can improve overall health outcomes.
3.     Improvement of Chronic Conditions: Many chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, can be managed more effectively with good oral healthcare. For example, treating gum disease can help improve blood sugar control in people with diabetes.
4.     Improved Nutrition: Good oral health is essential for proper chewing and digestion, which in turn helps maintain good nutrition. This is particularly important for children, whose overall growth and development can be impacted by poor oral health.
5.     Improved Mental Health: Poor oral health can also impact mental health, leading to feelings of low self-esteem and social isolation. Good oral health can help improve self-confidence and overall mental well-being.

Feeding The Community
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The Equal Plates Project, formerly known as We Give A Share, is a non-profit that makes fresh, quality, nutritious meals for lower-income school children and others in the community. Their mission is “To Make All Plates Equal” using fresh, local produce-based, made-from-scratch meals that are provided for Charter Schools, early learning centers, subsidized senior homes, agencies serving unhoused individuals, and residents in public housing. Kikkoman Shaw, Executive Chef for the Equal Plates Project, said, “We’re trying to touch everybody in the community and let them have the experience that people who go downtown would get and spend all this money for.”

A Community Coming Together to Help

Aaron and Anne Grier, owners of Gaining Ground Farm, launched the initiative and brought other farmers, producers, restauranteurs, and other advocates to join the cause. Born during the COVID-19 lockdowns, the program was originally a way to keep farms afloat and avoid crops going to waste. The project then shifted to also help people, especially the elderly living in public housing, to provide access to healthy foods. Regional businesses such as Sunburst Trout Farms, Looking Glass Creamery, and Farm & Sparrow are some of the sources for fresh produce, dairy, fish, meat, and other ingredients. Suppliers are paid fair, market-rate prices for their contributions.  Chefs Kikkoman Shaw and Kendrick Burton are experienced chefs, who have worked for local fine dining restaurants such as Buchon, The Blackbird, Benne on Eagle, and Tupelo Honey. The program also has the help of other volunteers.
 
Nourishing The Future of WNC
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This summer, Equal Plates Project partnered with the Asheville Housing Authority to provide meals to residents in public housing.  The goal is to provide this service year-round.  For now, the organization’s resources are dedicated to the school programs. Each week, hundreds of meals for local schoolchildren are prepared. Chef Kendrick Burton on leaving the restaurant industry to join the Equal Plates Project, “I think this is more meaningful because you’re feeding kids, and kids are the future.”

How You Can Help

The organization is always looking for help to provide their services to the community. Financial support, community partners, and volunteers are ongoing needs for the organization to grow. Volunteers do not need cooking experience. Tasks range from cutting vegetables to bagging meals to cleaning. 
To volunteer, visit ​equalplatesproject.org 

Dave Trout hails from the restaurant business and always keeps in touch with the great work that his old friend Kikko is now doing. Dave and the rest of the Trout team proudly support Kikko and the Equal Plates Project.

Inflation Reduction Act Extends Health Insurance Subsidies
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Set to be signed this week by President Joe Biden, the Inflation Reduction Act will extend Health Insurance subsidies (originally enacted through the American Rescue Plan) for at least another three years. These subsidies are of particular benefit for those over age 50, but still too young to sign up for Medicare (Age 65). Those under 50 are still set to receive subsidy help as well.

Why This Is Important for You and Your Family
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According to the AARP, those between the ages of 50 and 64 pay up to THREE times more for their health insurance. Avalere, a health insurance consulting firm, calculated that someone in their 50s or early 60s earning 400% to 500% of the federal poverty level could save $4,700 in premiums because of the subsidies. Even for someone in that age bracket earning 100% to 150% of the federal poverty level the savings would average about $500 per person.  Once these subsidies have been in place for a full 5 years it will be tempting for Congress to extend them further, with the likely eventual outcome that they will become permanent. 

    ​Join Us in supporting our friends at The YMI (Young Men’s Institute) Cultural Center of Asheville with their launch of the “129 Years and Counting” campaign to improve the organization’s home at 39 South Market Street. The campaign’s goal is to make the building more efficient, create commercial space for rentals, provide more robust programming, lower operational costs, and generate additional income that will make the organization more sustainable over the long-term.

​    Our General Manager (Jessica Cody) and Owner (Dave Trout) attended the YMI’s Capital Campaign Kickoff Event on April 30th, where they were able to meet some of the new faces of the YMI as well as chat with some of our old friends from the organization.  We’re encouraging everyone to visit the YMI’s website, learn more about the organization, and contribute what they can to help the YMI achieve their goals. 

    Trout Insurance is extremely proud to work with the YMI and to help where we can.  More information about the YMI, the “129 Years and Counting Campaign”, and a link to donate can be found by clicking the button below. 
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​                                Donate today and help this wonderful group!

​Greetings  …We will have MANY choices for insurance companies for folks who buy their plans through the Health Insurance Marketplace/ Affordable Care Act/ ObamaCare.   In our Western NC region -  there will be a Total of  124 Plans !
BCBSNC | Oscar Health | Bright Health | Ambetter | United Health Care​
And two new companies -  Friday Health & Aetna CVS

Second  - Bronze, Silver & CSR’s -  All ACA plans are graded into “ metallic levels “ – which work to compare the relative “ horsepower “ of these plans. But all plans within a level are not the same! Some have no copays until the deductible is met, same with Rx which could be a different amount. Or – no deductible at all – you just start paying a percentage from the get-go. And if you are of more modest income – below 250% of Federal Poverty Level- you may qualify for Cost Sharing Reductions on Silver plans; lower copays, deductible and out of pocket maximums.
 
Third  -  Your Doctors -   Many of the companies are HMO – that is “ In Network only “. Are you happy with your primary or specialists? Would you want to change doctors, and would your new one accept your coverage or even you?  Many doctors are not adding new patients. Overall, most of us want the most choice and  flexibility with our medical care.

And Fourth  – Extras  Are there any additional benefits you are looking for ? -  Some plans are adding preventative dental to the plans themselves – no extra cost. Others have convenience of a local “ Health Hub “  or tele -medicine.  Unlimited primary care doctor or mental health visits at zero copay. Zero or low copay for generics. We need to look at how you use health care and then how you want your insurance to work 
 
NEXT – After November 1 -  We’ll be able to see all the plan options and what your actual premium would be with the updated subsidy amounts. We’ll be sending you specific information for you and your family. You can update your information for us HERE

​AND - We welcome the Opportunity to work with other people you know. Please forward them this email and we can get started! 
 
We appreciate the opportunity to work with you over the years.

• Insulin Savings Programs Expansion: 3.3 million beneficiaries use one of more types of insulin, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicare Services. More than 2,100 Part D and Medicare Advantage plans will participate in the 2022 program, an increase of over 500.
• Extra Benefits for Medicare Advantage Enrollees: Some Medicare Advantage Plans offer extra health-related benefits including: coverage of Over-the-Counter medications, in-home support services, meal delivery, pest control, and more.
• Special Needs Plans offer extras: A type of Medicare Advantage Plan called Special Needs Plan (SNP) provides coverage for certain groups of people. These plans must provide prescription drug coverage, and they usually offer extra benefits, such as lower copayments for specialists and medications.

​            For a more detailed breakdown of the information below, click here