On Life With Helen

Are you nearing Social Security age and feeling unsure about how to maximize your benefits? We've got you covered!Since Social Security folks are not there to provide guidance on which option is best for you, consulting an expert is the best chance you have to make the right choice when claiming your benefits.In this episode, David Brabender takes us through the complexity and potential pitfalls of navigating Social Security benefits without expert guidance. David is a local Independent Insurance Agent, the Founder of Atman Insurance Services, and the incoming President of CAHIP-Northern California, a local chapter of the National Association of Benefits and Insurance Professionals (NABIP). His philosophy is simple; try to leave the world a little better than he found it. His goal is to become a trusted advisor, to provide answers, options, and peace of mind.Listen to episode 52 of On Life With Helen to learn everything about common mistakes like claiming benefits too early, survivor and non-working spouses' benefits, and the impact of working while claiming benefits. David also explains how divorced individuals can claim benefits based on their ex-spouse's earnings record, shares tools and resources for making informed decisions about the best time to claim benefits, explains the tax implications of Social Security benefits, and much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:A bit about David's background and expertise (2:20)What are the common mistakes in Social Security planning (3:30)David talks about tools for Estimating Life Expectancy (5:20)Survivor and non-working spouses' benefits (6:00)What are the limitations on changing benefits choices (9:40)Strategies for divorced individuals (11:20)David explains the impact of working while claiming benefits (13:00)Understanding Social Security and taxes (17:40)Connect with David Brabender:WebsiteLinkedInFacebookLet's Connect!EmailLinkedInWebsite - Ornellas InsuranceFacebook Page - Ornellas & Associates Insurance ServicesFacebook Profile Helen Ornellas Lanham

Still unsure of how Medicare changes will affect your health coverage in 2025?The new $2,000 out-of-pocket for prescription drugs, the changes in formularies, and changes in the coverage of weight loss drugs are some of the many modifications awaiting Medicare beneficiaries in 2025.In this episode, we get all our doubts about the upcoming changes for Medicare's 2025 annual enrolment period answered by expert guest Rosamaria Marrujo. Rosamaria is the Founder and CEO of Trusted American Insurance Agency and an expert with over 20 years of experience in the Medicare market. She is also a mentor for brokers, an advocate for beneficial legislative changes in Medicare, and a sough-after speaker passionate about engaging with seniors and empowering them to make informed insurance decisions.Listen to episode 51 of On Life With Helen and learn everything about the implications of the new $2,000 drug cap, the possible changes in carrier plans, and what will happen with zero to forty cents a month Premiums. Rosamaria also explains why working with a broker is essential to navigating the complexities of the upcoming changes in Medicare, supplemental drug plan clients' chances of getting help without moving to advantage plans, what should Extra Help beneficiaries expect in the future, and much more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Rosamaria shares her thoughts on the upcoming $2,000 out-of-pocket limit for prescription drugs (3:20)What are the changes we can expect in Premiums (6:30)How will Medicare formularies change in 2025? (8:00)What is the Prescription Payment Plan Program? (16:50)Ancillary benefits for Supplement Plans (20:10)Extra Help programs: Benefits and upcoming changes (22:30)Connect with Rosamaria Marrujo:LinkedInTrusted Insurance American AgencyTrusted Insurance American Agency FacebookLet's Connect!EmailLinkedInWebsite - Ornellas InsuranceFacebook Page - Ornellas & Associates Insurance ServicesFacebook Profile Helen Ornellas Lanham

Wondering what Medicare updates you need to be aware of for 2025?In this episode, Helen goes through every major change in Medicare for the next year. From the $2,000 limit cap on out-of-pocket drug costs to changes in formularies, here is everything you must know to ensure you choose the right plan to stay on in 2025.Listen to episode 50 of On Life With Helen and discover everything you need to know about the importance of getting professional assistance, the new Prescription Payment Plan Program, and why it is crucial to think about early engagement in the enrollment process. You'll also hear Helen's thoughts on the $2,000 limit on costs for drugs starting on January 1st, 2025, evaluating supplemental plans versus advantages plans during enrollment, and more.In This Episode, You Will Learn:Helen talks about the $2,000 limit on out-of-pocket costs for drugs (2:30)What are the changes you can expect in monthly premium fees (3:10)Why it is crucial to get professional assistance (4:30)What is the Prescription Payment Plan Program (7:10)Supplemental plans versus Advantage plans (8:20)Resources:Prescription Payment Plan ProgramLet's Connect!EmailLinkedInWebsite - Ornellas InsuranceFacebook Page - Ornellas & Associates Insurance ServicesFacebook Profile Helen Ornellas Lanham

Are you second-guessing yourself about starting your own business?In today's episode, I am pleased to welcome Lauren Bayha back to the show. Almost two years after taking that leap of faith and starting her own insurance company, BenefitsBay Insurance Solutions, and taking over the Sacramento Association of Health Underwriters, Lauren joins us again to share her thoughts on the intricacies of entrepreneurship in the insurance industry.Listen to episode 49 of On Life With Helen and learn more about Lauren's fascinating journey from apprehension to triumph in entrepreneurship. You'll get valuable insights, practical strategies, and inspiration to help navigate the challenges of becoming a solopreneur. Lauren also talks about the freedom she gained from running her own business and how she used it to create time for her hobbies and spend more quality time with family.In This Episode, You Will Learn:About Lauren's fears before starting BenefitsBay Insurance Solutions (2:30)Networking for business growth (4:40)Strategies for overcoming challenges and reconditioning our mindset (9:10)The importance of balancing priorities when launching a business (12:30)Lauren shares advice for aspiring entrepreneurs (19:20)Connect with Lauren Bayha:BenefitsBay Insurance SolutionsLinkedInLet's Connect!EmailLinkedInWebsite - Ornellas InsuranceFacebook Page - Ornellas & Associates Insurance ServicesFacebook Profile Helen Ornellas Lanham

Are you a veteran and feel unsure of how to navigate VA and Medicare Advantage plans effectively? What are the key considerations to have on top of mind when choosing between traditional VA benefits and Medicare plans? Today, we are fortunate to have a true expert on this topic: Addison Beverly. He helps us understand the intersection of traditional VA benefits and Medicare Advantage plans for veterans and provides insights on how veterans can optimize their healthcare coverage. Addison is a Business Development Manager at Aetna Medicare Solutions, a CVS Health Company. Listen to episode 48 of On Life With Helen to understand how veterans can optimize their healthcare coverage by leveraging VA benefits and Medicare Advantage plans. You'll learn about eligibility requirements for VA benefits, the challenges veterans face in accessing healthcare, the similarities and differences between VA and Medicare, the implications of falling behind in payments for VA, and more. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Addison explains eligibility requirements for VA benefits and compares them with MA entitlements (2:10)The differences between VA benefits and MA eligibility (4:30)How veterans are rated based on their disability (6:00)The implications of outsourcing healthcare service for veterans (9:20)Addison explains how MA plans tailored for veterans provide additional benefits (13:20)Do veterans need a drug plan? (17:20)Addison explains the implications of falling behind in payments for VA (22:40)Connect with Addison Beverly:LinkedInPhone: 916-217-1778Email: beverlya@aetna.comLet's Connect!EmailLinkedInWebsite - Ornellas InsuranceFacebook Page - Ornellas & Associates Insurance ServicesFacebook Profile Helen Ornellas Lanham

Medi-Cal completely revamped its process as of January 1st, 2024! This means all the laws, regulations, codes, and everything else have changed. Do you know how these changes affect your chances of getting accepted into Medi-Cal? In today's episode, Michael McCabe joins us to explain every change Medi-Cal has created for this year, the bureaucracy behind its new applications and regulations, and how he can help you get approved for Medi-Cal. Michael has over 20 years of experience and a 100% success ratio in getting people accepted into Medi-Cal. Listen to episode 47 of On Life With Helen to learn from the specialist what changed, how he can help you with the new paperwork, why a lot of applications are being rejected, what's wrong with the new system, and what's the best way to deal with it, and much more. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why Medi-Cal is just like taxes (3:10)What happens to most Medi-Cal applicants (6:00)How Michael can help with Medi-Cal's mindnumbing paperwork (7:20)Why many applications to Medi-Cal are rejected (11:00)Connect with Michael McCabe:Phone: 916-612-8800Let's Connect!EmailLinkedInWebsite - Ornellas InsuranceFacebook Page - Ornellas & Associates Insurance ServicesFacebook Profile Helen Ornellas Lanham

How do you know you picked the long-term care that better adjusts to your reality?In this episode, we discuss long-term care, insurance, alternative solutions, different ways to cover possible long-term care events, and how to educate the next generations on long-term care and their needs. From 100% self-insurance to accelerated benefit riders, standalone long-term care policies, and having children help pay, we explore every option under the sun, analyze their pros and cons, and help you figure out which one is the one that best suits your reality. Additionally, we explore one of our newest products, a Home Health Care Hours Purchase Plan, which allows you to buy buckets of hours so you can stay at home when you need care, with no age limits, the same rate for all ages, no claim forms, and no deductibles, among many other benefits you should consider exploring. Tune in to episode 46 of On Life With Helen and make an informed decision when choosing your long-term care plan. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why doing a bit of planning for long-term is always a good idea (2:40)Is 100% self-insurance a one-size-fits-all solution? (3:10)How long-term care riders plans can make your dollars multitask (5:00)How can we educate future generations on long-term care (8:20)What is a Home Health Care Hours Purchase Plan (10:50)Helen shares valuable lessons she got from her three-month recovery journey (15:50)Let's Connect!EmailLinkedInWebsite - Ornellas InsuranceFacebook Page - Ornellas & Associates Insurance ServicesFacebook Profile Helen Ornellas Lanham

Are you having trouble navigating the complexities of Medicare enrollment for your healthcare needs in 2024?In today's episode, I discuss the intricacies of Medicare enrollment and why using a broker for your Medicare needs is crucial. You'll hear why individuals and business owners benefit from partnering with brokers, how they can assist you in evaluating costs and understanding IRMAA implications, and why seeking professional guidance in the post-open enrollment period is crucial. I also share my top ten tips to help you avoid mistakes on essential elements of Medicare enrollment, like payment methods, plan restrictions, prescription coverage, creating solid bonds with brokers, and more. Tune in to episode 45 of On Life With Helen to discover how to navigate the ever-changing landscape of Medicare enrollment effectively. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Why is working with a broker always the best choice? (2:30)Credit cards expire. Make sure you don't lose your coverage (4:10)Mind what you say on the phone (7:00)After making a decision, inform your broker (7:50)The importance of using preferred pharmacies in drug plans (8:30)Weight loss drugs and Medicare (12:10)Bonus tip. Medicare and traveling outside of the US (13:40)Let's Connect!EmailLinkedInWebsite - Ornellas InsuranceFacebook Page - Ornellas & Associates Insurance ServicesFacebook Profile Helen Ornellas Lanham

Does getting life insurance feels like a chore you've been dreading for longer than you can remember? In this episode, I'm talking about the countless benefits of using Ethos to get insurance, the three signs that you need life insurance today, and the differences between term and permanent life insurance. I also answer some of the most common questions about life insurance, clear doubts about how affordable life insurance really is, and more.  Listen to episode 44 of On Life With Helen to learn more about this fantastic online tool, the myths about term and perm life insurance, and so much more. In This Episode, You Will Learn:Does going through a policy feels like a chore? (2:08)Three signs you need life insurance today (3:04)What makes Ethos so good at helping you get insurance (3:47)Is life insurance affordable? (4:34)When is term insurance the better option (7:08)Why you should look at your policy periodically (13:11)Let's Connect!EmailLinkedInWebsite - Ornellas InsuranceFacebook Page - Ornellas & associates insurance servicesFacebook Profile Helen Ornellas Lanham