Craig-Howard Insurance

Friendly reminder - Medicare fraud and scam calls continue to target seniors. Never give your Medicare number to anyone who calls you — legitimate Medicare representatives will never ask for it over the phone.

If someone calls and already knows your name, your age, and your address, that does not make them legitimate. Criminals often start with information they already have and only need one more piece from you.

Medicare-related scam calls have climbed sharply over the past year. Some people report getting dozens in a single day. The pitches are predictable once you know them. Your card is expiring. You qualify for unclaimed benefits. A free brace or hearing aid is on the way.

They all want the same thing: your Medicare number.

A few things to remember: Medicare generally contacts you by mail first and does not call to ask for your Medicare number or bank information. A real licensed agent will give you their name and license number without hesitation, and will not push you to decide today.

If someone claims to be from an agency, hang up and call that agency's main number yourself. Anyone honest will not mind.

What is the strangest scam call you have received? Share it below so your neighbors know what to listen for.

Not sure whether a call you got was real? Call our office and we will tell you. 📞

Craig-Howard Insurance is proud to support the Alzheimer’s Association!

We would love to see some of you on walk day, whether you are just stopping by to say hello and enter our giveaway for tickets to a BSU game, or joining us for the walk around the park; every bit of support for this cause helps. Below are the details for the walk, as well as a link to join our team and to donate to the Alzheimer's Association.
https://act.alz.org/site/TR/Walk2026/ID-Idaho?pg=team&team_id=1065859&fr_id=19586

Hope to see you there!

Health Insurance Open Enrollment for ACA/Marketplace plans is right around the corner, starting November 1 in most states. If you get coverage through the individual marketplace, now's a good time to start thinking about whether your current plan still fits your needs and budget. Reach out to us for enrollment help. That's why we're here!

Help Your Employees Avoid the Most Common Enrollment Mistakes

Most employees spend less than 30 minutes choosing their health insurance each year.

That decision affects their health and finances for the next 12 months.

Here's what tends to go wrong, and what employers can do about it:

1) Employees pick the lowest premium without looking at the deductible or out-of-pocket maximum.

2) They assume their doctors are in-network.

3) They don't check if their prescriptions are covered.

4) They have no idea an insurance advocate exists to help them.

None of this is their fault. Most employees just don't have the information they need to make a good decision.

That's where employers can make a real difference… Not by choosing for them, but by giving them the tools to choose well.

💡Show them a side-by-side plan comparison of plan options.
💡Walk them through a worst-case cost scenario for each plan type.
💡Tell them how to look up their doctors and their prescriptions before they enroll.
💡Make sure they know your broker or benefits team is available to help, not just during open enrollment, but all year long.

Employees who understand their benefits use them better, stress less, and trust their employer more.

Health benefit selection is a communications opportunity. We can help you use that opportunity well.

Warm, golden, and full of possibility. ☀️

Is your dog one of the best things to happen to your mental health? For millions of Americans, the answer is yes. 🐾

Studies suggest that dogs can help lower stress hormones, ease loneliness, encourage daily structure, and even get us moving more. The simple act of coming home to a wagging tail at the end of a hard day is something dog owners know well, and it turns out the science backs it up.

But here is something worth thinking about. While our dogs give us so much, caring for them comes with real responsibility and real costs. A single emergency vet visit can run into thousands of dollars. Without the right coverage in place, that can become a serious financial stressor.

Pet insurance exists to make sure that when your dog needs care, the decision is about what is best for them, not what you can afford in that moment.

Have you ever faced an unexpected vet bill that caught you off guard? Drop your experience in the comments. We would love to hear from you.

If you have questions about pet insurance and want to understand your options, reach out to us today. We are here to help you find coverage that genuinely fits your life and your budget. 🐶

Watermelon Limeade is a perfect refresher to go with your summer parties or evenings at home.

- Freeze 2 cups cubed seedless watermelon.

- Make a simple syrup: Bring 3/4 cup each sugar and water to a simmer, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Transfer to a pitcher and refrigerate until cold.

- Puree 4 more cups cubed seedless watermelon; strain into the pitcher.

- Stir in 1 cup lime juice and 2 cups cold seltzer. Add the frozen watermelon and some lime slices.

Enjoy!

Many people are surprised to learn that Medicare’s coverage for skin cancer screenings is different from its coverage for other preventive services like mammograms, colonoscopies, and lung cancer screenings. Understanding what Medicare does—and does not—cover can help you make informed decisions about your skin health. Take a moment to read this week's blog post and learn more.

Medicare and Skin Cancer Prevention: What Screenings Are Covered? - Craig-Howard Insurance Understanding Coverage for Skin Exams and Care Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, and the risk increases with age. Years of accumulated sun exposure can raise the likelihood of developing skin cancer, making prevention and early detection especially important for Med...