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October is a critical time to review your Medicare coverage. Starting October 1, you can begin comparing your current Medicare coverage — whether Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage, or a Medicare drug plan — against other options available for the coming year. Start by reviewing your plan's Annual Notice of Change (ANOC), which your plan mailed in September. It explains changes to your plan's costs and coverage that will take effect January 1. Pay attention to any changes that could affect you, and we can help you compare your current coverage with other available options to see how well it may meet your needs in the coming year.

Beginning October 15, Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) officially opens. During this time, you can enroll in, switch or drop a Medicare Advantage or Medicare prescription drug plan, or switch between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage. AEP continues through December 7, and changes made during this period generally take effect January 1.

Contact our office today to schedule time to walk through your choices. We will help you make a confident decision before AEP ends on December 7.

During Medicare's Annual Enrollment Period, your mailbox, phone, and television may be filled with messages about coverage. Scammers take advantage of that activity, hoping their pitch will blend in with legitimate plan information.

AEP runs from October 15 through December 7. While you're reviewing your options, someone may call claiming you need a replacement Medicare card, must verify your information to keep your benefits, or qualify for something “free.” The goal may be to steal your Medicare number, personal information, or money. An unexpected request for sensitive information deserves a pause.

Artificial intelligence is making these schemes harder to recognize. Criminals can use AI to write convincing emails and create realistic voices, including imitations made from short recordings. A message may sound professional, contain no obvious spelling mistakes, or even resemble someone you know. Those familiar warning signs are no longer enough.

This doesn't mean every unfamiliar call is fraudulent. It means a convincing voice, official-looking logo, or familiar caller ID isn't proof of identity. Scammers can disguise phone numbers and use personal details to make their stories seem credible. Pressure to act immediately, threats about losing coverage, or demands for payment are reasons to stop the conversation.

Protect your Medicare number as carefully as your banking information. Don't share it with an unexpected caller or enter it through a link in an unsolicited message. Medicare won't contact you out of the blue to demand payment for a new card. If something seems questionable, hang up and call our office, your plan, or Medicare using a number you already trust.

If you've already shared information, act promptly. Call 1-800-MEDICARE to report suspected misuse of your Medicare number, and contact your bank if financial information was involved. Review your Medicare or plan statements for services you don't recognize.

Annual enrollment is an opportunity to review your coverage thoughtfully. Contact our office with questions about a message or offer before responding. A little verification can help protect both your information and your coverage.

A new baby changes your daily routine, your priorities, and your plans for the future. Between feeding schedules and sleepless nights, life insurance probably isn't the first thing on your mind. But this milestone is a good reminder to review the protection your family depends on.

If you already have a policy, that's a helpful starting point. The next question is whether it still fits. Coverage you chose before becoming a parent may have been intended to cover a mortgage or final expenses. Now, someone may depend on your income and care for many years. Your responsibilities have changed, and your coverage may need another look.

Think about what your household would need if one parent died. Everyday bills would continue, along with housing costs, childcare, and other expenses. You may also want to account for future education or give the surviving parent more flexibility to take time away from work. Reviewing these needs can help you evaluate whether your current benefit amount is appropriate.

Include both parents in that conversation, even if one doesn't earn a paycheck. A stay-at-home parent provides care and support that could be expensive to replace. Childcare, transportation, and household responsibilities all have financial value. Looking only at income can leave an important gap.

Review how long your coverage lasts, too. If you have term life insurance, check when the term ends and whether it aligns with the years your child may depend on you. If you rely on coverage through work, ask what happens if you change jobs or leave employment. Your agent can help you understand how those benefits fit into your broader plan.

Finally, check your beneficiaries. Naming a baby directly may create complications because insurers generally cannot pay benefits directly to a minor. Ask your agent about beneficiary requirements and whether an estate-planning professional should help arrange how funds would be managed for your child.

You don't have to solve every financial question at once. Contact our office to review your existing policy, discuss your family's changing needs, and explore options that fit your budget. A growing family is a good reason to make sure your protection grows with it.