Health Insurance Solutions Eric Baliko

Here’s the scoop: It’s time to celebrate Father's Day!

We wanted to shout out all of the dads, grandfathers, and father figures who make our lives special. We hope that this Father’s Day is filled with quality time, well-deserved rest, and maybe even a couple of dad jokes.

Life does not always follow a schedule, and neither do the moments that change your health coverage needs.

If you have recently experienced a major life change, you may have a limited window to update or enroll in a new health plan outside of open enrollment. Swipe through to see which life events qualify for a Special Enrollment Period and which ones do not.

If you have questions about whether or not a recent change in your life qualifies for a special enrollment period, don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We are here to help you.

Hope your summer is off to a great start! Whether you’re enjoying the weather, hitting the beach, or setting off on a summer adventure, we hope this season brings some well-deserved relaxation.

If you have any insurance questions or would like to schedule a policy review, do not hesitate to give us a call. We're here to help!

Every June 14th, we celebrate the Stars and Stripes on Flag Day. While we’re all familiar with the United States’ flag, we might not know all of the history behind this symbol.

To celebrate, we wanted to share a few fun facts about the history of the flag that might surprise you:

🔹 The current 50-star design was created by a 17-year-old. Robert G. Heft of Lancaster, Ohio, submitted the design as a high school project in 1958. It was chosen by President Eisenhower out of more than 3,000 submissions in 1960.

🔹 There have been 27 official versions of the flag. Twenty-five of those changes were solely to update the number of stars every time a new state joined the Union. The star additions were admitted on July 4th, and, together, they give us a rich visual history of the country's growth over time.

🔹 The colors for the flag have taken on their own meanings over the years. Charles Thomson, secretary of the Continental Congress in 1774, suggested that red represents hardiness and valor, white symbolizes purity and innocence, and blue stands for vigilance, perseverance, and justice.

🔹 Six American flags have been planted on the moon. Neil Armstrong and Edwin E. “Buzz” Aldrin were the first, but five additional Apollo missions have also left a flag on the lunar surface.

🔹 The current design is the longest-running version in history. No new states have been added since Hawaii joined the union in 1959, making this the most enduring flag design the country has ever had.

Wishing you a wonderful Flag Day filled with pride and appreciation for the history behind the flag we share.

June is Men's Health Month, and there is no better time to encourage you or the men in your life to take advantage of preventive screenings included with their health care coverage. Preventive screenings are among the most powerful tools for early detection of serious illnesses, and catching something early can make all the difference.

Here are some key screenings and wellness checks worth knowing about and at what age they start:

✅ Cholesterol checks - These key preventive screenings should start at 17 to monitor heart health and reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke. They’re recommended every four to six years.
✅ Diabetes screening - Diabetes screenings are recommended to begin at age 35 and every three years after, or earlier if risk factors are present, such as family history or being overweight.
✅ Prostate cancer screening - Men should start receiving regular prostate cancer screenings with their doctor, typically starting around age 50, or earlier for those with higher risk factors.
✅ Colorectal cancer screening - For men, a colonoscopy is recommended starting at age 45 for those with average risk and should be repeated every 10 years. The frequency of screening may increase based on your doctor’s assessment of your risk level.
✅ General mental health screening - These screenings are often conducted at annual checkups, at any age. They are a good time to speak openly with your provider about anxiety, depression, or any changes in your mood.

Every man's health journey looks different, so it’s best to talk with your doctor about which screenings are right for your age, history, and lifestyle.

Have questions about what your health coverage includes? Give us a call. We are here to help you make the most of your benefits.

In honor of Memorial Day, we invite you to join us in taking time to remember and honor the brave men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice to protect our country and preserve our freedom.

Please note that our office will be closed on Monday, May 25th, in observance of Memorial Day. We will resume normal business hours on Tuesday, May 26th, and will respond to any messages received during the closure as promptly as possible.

Wishing you a respectful and meaningful Memorial Day.

Great Event for the whole family and an amazing deal! I'll be there to answer your Medicare questions. Saturday, May 30. Come out and, get some food, win prizes and have some fun with us!

Throughout your life, you’ll go through many changes. Your health insurance should keep up with them.

Regardless of whether you’re exploring new plan options, adding dependents, or selecting additional coverages, we’re here to make sure your health insurance is keeping up with your needs.

If you have any questions about your current coverage or if you would like to explore your options, don’t hesitate to reach out. We are here for you.

Did you know it's National Sun Responsibility WEEK? Memorial Day is just around the corner, and if you're likely to be outdoors in the sun, here are some great tips for taking care of yourself and loved ones:

Apply sunscreen 30 minutes before sending your kids outside.
Be thorough in your sunscreen application, spreading it generously on any areas of the skin that will be exposed to the sun.
Reapply every two hours or any time after your child swims or sweats.
Send sunscreen with your child to school or camp to apply before they spend time outside, even if only for a few minutes.
Sing a silly song with your child to make the process fun.
Avoid sun altogether for babies.

Scams are becoming more sophisticated, but there are clear red flags that can help you identify them quickly. Here is what to watch for:

🔵 Sense of urgency - Scammers create pressure by instructing you to act before a deadline or implying something bad will happen if you don't act immediately.

🔵 Impersonation of trusted sources - Fraudsters pose as government officials, tech companies, or other trusted organizations to make their messages seem legitimate.

🔵 Too-good-to-be-true offers - Free money, significant discounts on products not on sale, or prizes requiring upfront fees are classic scam tactics.

🔵 Poor message construction - Look for email addresses with misspelled domains, spelling and grammatical errors in the body of the message, “Under Construction” or “Coming Soon” job link sites, and website error links in email signatures.

The best defense is to pause and verify the source. If you know the sender personally, reach out directly. If it is from an organization, contact them through their official website.

We hope you find these scam identification tips helpful. As always, feel free to reach out if you have any questions or need our team; we are here to leverage our expertise for your benefit.