MAIL OVERLOAD

If you are sixty-five or over, it's a sure bet that your mailbox runneth over. Annually, from October through December, like clockwork, the old mailbox is daily overloaded with postcards and letters.

Unfortunately, there are no inheritance checks from unknown relatives. In all this mail, there are no FREE vacations or trips around the world. Thank goodness, there are no invitations from timeshares companies. Woefully, there are no letters from fans, friends, or family members.

So! Why the huge increase in the mail? Who is sending out millions and millions of cards and letters resulting in tons and tons of mail? Have you guessed?

If you don't know, the answer is the Medicare Advantage insurance companies that print and mail out their marketing material faster than Willie Wonka and the chocolate factory.

Naturally, all the Medicare advantage insurance companies' marketing material screams, "Pick Me I'm good!" "Pick Me I'm better!" "Pick Me I'm the best!"

Furthermore, the communications and messages request that you call their representative. According to their letters, you have questions. In reality, Medicare Advantage companies want to close their sale. It's their job to always be closing. Why do you have to call them? If they are a legitimate Medicare Advantage insurance company, there should be a website with adequate information to make a decision.

As a matter of fact, you can find applicable information online. You can google the name of any Medicare Advantage insurance companies and do your own research. It can be a little unnerving and frustrating. Because each insurance company has an unbelievable number of choices, it's enough to make your head spin.

Unsurprisingly, the big pitch is zero premiums. Well, it should be! This is a well-intended reminder that the Advantage plans receive your monthly social security medicare funds. Years ago, it was approximately $143 a month. Then, they increased it to around $170. From information online, it's going down to about $160 something for 2023.

However, with so many plans, read carefully, and please note that not all are at zero monthly premiums. Indeed, there are plans that require a monthly premium payment.

Of course, there are HMO plans with a primary physician having to write an order for a patient to see a specialist. On the other hand, there are PPO plans to choose from and you can make an appointment with a specialist without scheduling an appointment with your primary physician.

Yesterday, one of the postcards announced, "Unlock more!" Wondering, what's there to unlock? Are they trying to imply that we are missing out on something?

While another postcard wanted the recipient to answer and return the reply card. Sorry, there is no way that I'm filling out a postage-paid postcard with my name and address along with my home phone, cellphone number, and email address on an open piece of mail without any security of one's personal information.

Unfortunately, after comparing two or three companies, all plans seem to run together and turn in to one huge blur.

Along with the increase in letters and cards, television commercials are getting into the act. Medicare Advantage commercials are running morning, noon, and night. It's definitely a bombardment of Medicare Advantage insurance information and commercials.

On Monday, trying to tally the number of commercials in a two-hour time period, there were so many I lost count. During a two-hour period, would you like to try to count the number of Medicare Advantage insurance commercials?

Amazingly, the commercials seem to always begin with, "It's Easy!" "Call us now!" "Change your plan." "Don't delay!"

Hurry! Act now! There is a sense of urgency. You know you have until now and the 7th of December. The wise-looking pitch person states, "Call and speak to a representative, it's so simple and easy."

But wait, there's more! If the mail and the commercials don't drive you crazy, there are Medicare Advantage insurance postings and information on the FB feed too.

For example, the ubiquitous reminders that are posted on my FB feed,

"IT'S ENROLLMENT TIME."

Honestly, you can't get away from the onslaught of promotional marketing pieces, television commercials, and social media information about their plans. All are declaring that it's time to request information regarding their advantage plans.

In between all the mailings, the commercials, and the social media reminders, did my due diligence and research. After comparing the many options and plans, enrolled in a plan that best meets my current need.

Now, it's time to shred all those cards and letters.