Celebrating the Holidays Safely
December 17, 2020
We hope all of our clients are able to enjoy a safe, healthy holiday season. Celebrating in 2020 may require different actions and activities and the following excerpt from a CDC article offers considerations for gathering this season.
From the Centers for Disease Control and Protection:
The COVID-19 pandemic has been stressful and isolating for many people. Gatherings during the upcoming holidays can be an opportunity to reconnect with family and friends. This holiday season, consider how your holiday plans can be modified to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to keep your friends, families, and communities healthy and safe.
CDC offers the following considerations to slow the spread of COVID-19 during small gatherings. These considerations are meant to supplement—not replace—any state, local, territorial, or tribal health and safety laws, rules, and regulations with which all gatherings must comply.
Considerations for Attending or Hosting a Small Gathering
Below are some general considerations for hosting a gathering that brings together people from different households. Guests should be aware of these considerations and ask their host what mitigation measures will be in place during the gathering.
Hosts should consider the following:
- Check the COVID-19 infection rates in areas where attendees live on state, local, territorial, or tribal health department websites or on CDC’s COVID Data Tracker County View. Based on the current status of the pandemic, consider if it is safe to hold or attend the gathering on the proposed date.
- Limit the number of attendees as much as possible to allow people from different households to remain at least 6 feet apart at all times. Guests should avoid direct contact, including handshakes and hugs, with others not from their household.
- Host outdoor rather than indoor gatherings as much as possible. Even outdoors, require guests to wear masks when not eating or drinking.
- Avoid holding gatherings in crowded, poorly ventilated spaces with persons who are not in your household.
- Increase ventilation by opening windows and doors to the extent that is safe and feasible based on the weather, or by placing central air and heating on continuous circulation.
- Require guests to wear masks. At gatherings that include persons of different households, everyone should always wear a mask that covers both the mouth and nose, except when eating or drinking. It is also important to stay at least 6 feet away from people who are not in your household at all times.
- Encourage guests to avoid singing or shouting, especially indoors. Keep music levels down so people don’t have to shout or speak loudly to be heard.
- Encourage attendees to wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water are not readily available, use hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- Provide and/or encourage attendees to bring supplies to help everyone to stay healthy. These include extra masks (do not share or swap with others), hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol, and tissues. Stock bathrooms with enough hand soap and single use towels.
- Limit contact with commonly touched surfaces or shared items, such as serving utensils.
- Clean and disinfect commonly touched surfaces and any shared items between use when feasible. Use EPA-approved disinfectants.
For full article details, visit:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html
Health insurance enrollment is not always limited to a single time of year. While Open Enrollment is the most widely known opportunity to sign up for or change health coverage, many people are surprised to learn that certain life changes can allow them to enroll outside of that window. These opportunities are called Special Enrollment Periods, often referred to as SEPs. If you experience a qualifying life event, you may be able to enroll in a new health insurance plan or make changes to your existing coverage without waiting for Open Enrollment. Understanding how Special Enrollment works can help you avoid gaps in coverage, unexpected medical bills, and unnecessary stress during major life transitions. What Is a Special Enrollment Period? A Special Enrollment Period is a limited timeframe that allows you to enroll in or modify your health insurance coverage after experiencing a qualifying life event. For individual health insurance, this window lasts 60 days from the date of the event, although most group (employer) plans allow a shorter period of 30 days. During a Special Enrollment Period, you may be able to apply for a new health plan, switch plans, add or remove dependents, or adjust your coverage to better match your new circumstances. If you miss this window, you may have to wait until the next Open Enrollment period to make changes, which could leave you uninsured or underinsured for months. Acting promptly is key. Common Life Events That Qualify for Special Enrollment Several major life changes can make you eligible for a Special Enrollment Period. One of the most common qualifying events is loss of credible health coverage. This can include losing employer-sponsored insurance, aging off a parent’s plan at age 26, or losing eligibility for Medicaid or CHIP. When coverage ends unexpectedly, a Special Enrollment Period allows you to replace it without waiting until Open Enrollment. Changes in household status are another common qualifying category. Events such as getting married, getting divorced, having a baby, adopting a child, or having a child placed in foster care can all trigger Special Enrollment. These life events often significantly change healthcare needs and costs, making it important to update your coverage as soon as possible. A change in residence can also qualify you for Special Enrollment, especially if the move gives you access to new health insurance plans. Moving to a new state or county, relocating for work or school, or returning to the U.S. after living abroad may all make you eligible. However, simply moving within the same area without access to new plans may not qualify, so it’s important to understand the details. Income Changes and Special Enrollment Income changes can also play a role in Special Enrollment eligibility, particularly for those who purchase coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace. If your income decreases, you may become eligible for premium tax credits or cost-sharing reductions that make coverage more affordable. In some cases, a significant income change can open a Special Enrollment Period. On the other hand, an increase in income may affect your current financial assistance and require plan updates to avoid owing money back at tax time. Reporting income changes promptly helps ensure you are enrolled in the correct plan and receiving the appropriate level of financial support. What Does Not Qualify as a Life Event? Not every change in your life qualifies for a Special Enrollment Period. Simply deciding whether you want a different health insurance plan or missing the Open Enrollment deadline does not trigger eligibility. Voluntarily canceling your coverage without another qualifying reason may also leave you uninsured until the next Open Enrollment period. Because Special Enrollment eligibility depends on specific criteria, understanding which events qualify and providing proper documentation is essential. Assuming eligibility without confirmation can lead to delays or denied applications. How to Use Your Special Enrollment Period If you experience a qualifying life event, the first step is to gather any required documentation. This may include proof of loss of coverage, a marriage certificate, birth or adoption records, or proof of a change in address. These documents are often required to verify your eligibility. Working with a licensed health insurance professional can simplify the process. An experienced advisor can help you understand your options, ensure deadlines are met, and guide you toward a plan that fits both your healthcare needs and your budget. Don’t Wait to Protect Your Coverage Life changes can happen quickly and unexpectedly but losing health insurance does not have to add to the stress. Knowing how Special Enrollment works gives you the confidence to take action when it matters most. If you believe you have experienced a qualifying life event, it is best to explore your options as soon as possible to avoid coverage gaps. Having the right health insurance at the right time provides peace of mind, financial protection, and access to the care you need. That peace of mind is something everyone deserves.
Individual / ACA Marketplace Plans 1. Premiums Are Rising Sharply Insurers in many states are proposing increases in ACA marketplace premiums of 10–27% for 2026. Some preliminary data show a median premium increase around 18% nationwide. 2. Out-of-Pocket Maximums & Deductibles Increasing With healthcare costs and inflation, government rules are pushing up the limits: what you pay in deductibles, copays, and the most you’ll ever pay in a year is going up. For many ACA-compliant plans, the maximum out-of-pocket is moving significantly higher in 2026. 3. Subsidies (Premium Tax Credits) Might Shrink Enhanced premium tax credits that have helped many people afford marketplace plans are set to expire at the end of 2025 unless extended by Congress. When they expire, many people will see their net premiums (what you pay after subsidies) increase—possibly by a large margin. 4. Eligibility Rules and Participation Changes There may also be changes in who qualifies for what levels of help, and how much. Household income, size, and even your recent medical needs could affect the cost and availability of plans more than before. Medicare 1. Part B & Part D Premiums and Cost Sharing Are Increasing Medicare Part B monthly premiums and Part D premiums are projected to go up in 2026. For example, the base beneficiary premium for Part D is expected to increase about 6%, while Part B premium increases are more significant. 2. Out-of-Pocket Drug Caps Go Up The maximum out-of-pocket cost for prescription drugs under Medicare Part D will increase: from $2,000 in 2025 to $2,100 in 2026. 3. Medicare Prescription Payment Plan (MPPP) Changes The MPPP, which helps you spread prescription drug costs across the year rather than paying full cost at the counter every time, will auto-renew unless you opt out. Also, plan sponsors must process opt-outs within three days. 4. Updates to Medicare Advantage (MA), Part D, Dual-Eligible Plans (D-SNPs), and Star Ratings CMS’s 2026 final rule introduces nuanced changes in how plans are rated, how prescription drug benefits are structured, and enhancements/modifications for Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans. Why These Changes Matter for You These are not just abstract policy shifts — they can affect your wallet, your coverage, your access to care, and how much protection you really have. Here’s why reviewing your coverage matters: • Costs Could Go Up Significantly With premiums, out-of-pocket maximums, and deductibles rising, what seemed affordable last year may look very different in 2026. If you rely on subsidies for ACA plans, those shrinking could be a big hit. • Your Health Situation May Have Changed If your health needs have changed (new medications, more frequent doctor visits, upcoming surgeries, etc.), the plan you had before may no longer serve you well. A plan that seemed adequate might now expose you to large costs. • Benefit Designs Differ Widely Even within Medicare Advantage, Part D, and ACA plans, plan features vary: prescription drug formularies, preferred providers, prior-authorization rules, network coverage, and perks are not uniform. A review helps you match plan features to your actual needs (doctors you use, medications, specialists, etc.). • Avoid Gaps, Surprises, & Administrative Issues Auto-renewals or changes might happen that you miss. For instance, with MPPP auto-renewing, you might stay in a plan whose new cost structure works less well for you. Provider directories may change. If you don’t check, you could discover after the fact that your usual doctor isn’t in-network. • Opportunity to Optimize With change comes opportunity. You may find a cheaper plan, more subsidy, or better coverage that suits your situation. You might re-evaluate whether a high-deductible plan with HSA works, or perhaps a more robust Part D plan is worth the premium. A consult helps you see those trade-offs and make an informed decision. What to Ask / Look at During Your Consult or Review When you sit down to review, whether with a licensed agent, broker, or counselor, here are items you’ll want to cover: Projected total costs: premiums + deductibles + drug costs + copays + out-of-pocket maximums Changes to subsidies / tax-credits for ACA plans Plan networks: are your doctors / hospitals included? Drug formularies: are your prescription drugs covered? Are there shifts in prior authorization? Extra benefits (vision, dental, hearing, wellness perks) and trade-offs for those extras Whether your Medicare Advantage plan or Original Medicare plus a supplement better serves you, given new MA changes Timing: open enrollment periods, deadlines, required paperwork for subsidies, verification of income, etc. Conclusion: Why You Should Act Now Given all the changes ahead in 2026, waiting to review can leave you exposed: to cost increases you didn’t anticipate, to being “locked in” to a plan that no longer fits, or missing out on new benefits. Booking a consult / review now gives you lead time to: Understand what changes will hit you Adjust your budget or savings to cover increases Shop smartly and compare alternatives before open enrollment ends Make sure paperwork is in order so you don’t lose subsidies or coverage Give us a call at 706-257-5073 to schedule your 2026 consult now!