We have just a little more than a week to go until our Mountainfilm On Tour fundraiser on November 16th! This is an ALL ROTARIANS ON DECK MOMENT!
Buy tickets for you and your household
Invite four friends or family members - have them go to: MountainfilmOnTourBellingham.com!
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Rotary Club of Bellingham Tattler
November 4, 2024
Tattler Reporter: Tom Grinstad
Tattler Editor: Catherine Riordan
Photographer: Mike Diehll
Insurance Shakeup
2024 Medical/Medicare
Changes
by Lori Snow & Stacie Tennyson
Opening Welcome:
President Steve Ban is back to his old bell-breaking swing to open the meeting. He noted that the weather finally caught up with the calendar.
Larry Halgren introduced the music which featured Pearle Peterson singing the national anthem at the second game of the World Series. This was the second time she has sung at the series. And it was quite a performance.
A blast from the past...
Former Member Sara Maloney sent Larry Halgren a video of The Boys & Girls of America National Youth Talent performer. Sara has known Pearle Peterson since she was 6 and now freshman in college. Sara said "It is amazing that a person growing up in a small rural community like Sequim can have this kind of an opportunity through the Boys & Girls Club".
John Harris quote of the week: “True leadership is about inspiring others to be their best selves.” Steve then expounded on the thought.
THERE WILL BE NO MEETING NEXT WEEK!!! (Veterans’ Day)
On a sadder note, Rick Kaiser’s wife, Ann, is having end-of-life health challenges. So, he is stepping away from active club assignments. He hopes to attend some club meetings.
Guests:
Felicity Dye introduced Leilani Rapaport, former exchange student from Hawaii to Madrid, Spain 2007-2008 not living in Bellingham
Doug Cole introduced our speakers Lori Snow and Stacie Tennyson
John Moffat introduced his neighbor and one of our new members Bernard Bove, his wife Gail and John's wife Karen
Scott Herman introduced Patrick Blaine with WCC.
Shauna Naf introduced her mother and our other new member, Sue Parsons.
Members on Zoom: Loch Trimingham, Roland Trenouth, Pete Kirkman, John Dunne, Dick Tucker and Mike Bradburn
Club Events and Committee Announcements
RCOB Fundraiser
Shauna Naf gave an update on the Mountain Film event at WCC coming this very month. She still could use a little help running the thing, spreading the good word, and finding raffle prizes. They are up to 158 tickets sold. Please contact her.
RCOB Foundation
Teri Treat announced a RCOB Foundation meeting Nov 12th She promised a report to all on the scholarship program at some future date.
International Youth Exchange
Felicity Dye announced the youth exchange program is accepting applications for the ’25-’26 school year. If you know of high school student who might like to study abroad, have them get in contact with Felicity or get info through the website or program email. And she asked if someone can host Tatsuke, his host family for this quarter has had to back out, and he is temporarily staying at President Steve and Jan’s home until a new home can be arranged. She says you are never too old or too young to host a student. ScottHerman also piped up with a request for a host family for Antonio, sponsored by the Ferndale club.
Major Project 2024-2025 to the Lighthouse Mission Medical Center:
We havekicked off the second year of our Major Project Fundraising for the Light House Mission Medical Center. Please get your pledges in soon.
For our newer members: In order to substantially increase capacity, LHM has been constructing a 75,000 square foot, purposefully built facility, created to be the hub for homeless services in our community.
In addition to shelter, it will offer a multi-service healthcare clinic and welcome community partners to provide medical and dental care. Notable partners include SeaMar Medical Clinic, Opportunity Council, UnityCare, PeaceHealth Hospital, City of Bellingham, and Whatcom County. Bringing these services to our guests onsite will create better healthcare outcomes. This healthcare clinic is the Major Project for last year and this Rotary year for a total goal of $165,000. We are half way there!
John Moffat introduced new member Bernard Bove. His most important qualification is that he has increased the quality of neighborhood wines by a significant amount. Bernard is retired from Sun Microsystems. And they moved up from Santa Cruz, CA. So, if you have any questions about computers or the interweb – he is the guy… He enjoys sailing and skiing, and pickleball. He will fill the classification "IT-Retired".
Sue Parsons is the second new member, and she was introduced (after being inducted) by her daughter, Shauna Naf. Shauna has known Sue for virtually all her life. Sue was a school teacher for over 20 years. She taught Shauna everything she knows. Shauna told a short tale about picking up ice cream for the PTA to sell a few times a month, and getting it to the school before it all melted. She will fill the classification of "Teacher-Retired".
Weekly Payment Reminder
VENMO:
@RCOB- Bellingham.
Give Sandee a call if you need help. 360-734-5532.
CASH / CHECK:
Yes, we still take these and saving on fees is appreciated.
Insurance Shakeup - 2024 Medical/Medicare changes by Lori Snow and Stacie Tennyson
Former Prez Doug Cole introduced Lori Snow and Stacie Tennyson who tried to explain Medicare and Advantage plans in less than a half hour. A really tall order. Both of these ladies work with NathanTwining advising clients how to navigate the medical insurance – health care morass.
For those who are under 65 there are six weeks to decide what plan to go with or be uninsured. Stacie encourages all to reach out to their brokers to figure out the best insurance alternatives. A couple of carriers have left the state, or the county, so you may end up without insurance by default.
Lori explained some of the changes that happen in Medicare this year. It is her 14th year for open enrollment. The “donut hole” is ending. You will have to have part D (drugs) as a separate policy. Medicare Advantage programs swaps the bill paying responsibility from the government to the insurance company. Everyone will have a cap of $2000 for prescription drug expense. She is really grateful that she will not have to explain the donut hole to another person. Your plan needs to be reviewed.
For the next couple of years things will be confused. If your Advantage plan goes away, you get a golden opportunity to enroll in Medicare, no penalty. Advantage plans are one-year contracts, which change every year.
A Q&A session followed. First question regarded the star ratings – how reliable are they? New carriers to the area are suspect. Lori and Stacie do not use the ratings, instead using tenure, client feedback, and statistics. And some plans have changed, so their star ratings are not applicable. Integrity seemed to be a key idea here.
Medigap coverage is nationwide, those plans want healthy folks in their plans. A guess as to the cost is $200 per month. They can exclude you. But the reset this year only allows you to pretend you are 65 again and choose Medicare as if for the first time.
If you are on Medicare, drug costs are changing. Find someone to advise you. This reporter may not have gotten the particulars correct, so don’t rely on this report
Closing:
After thanking those responsible, Prez Steve rang the bell to end the meeting.
RCOB apparel, including polo shirts, dress shirts, vests and hats is now available. These are items that every Club member simply must have in his/her wardrobe! Besides looking great, Club members will be contributing to branding for the RCOB as well as supporting our Club's Foundation, which will receive part of the proceeds.
Click on the button below for the the clothing catalogue, with the Order Form on the last page. Fill out the order form, turn it into Vinson Latimore at a meeting or email a scanned copy to embroidery@choicesscrubs.com.
New Member Inductions:
