Feautured Video

Guy Crush: Vampires of Hollywood!

Just in time for Halloween, I get to spout off about one of my true loves...
VAMPIRES!
There's just too many, and its hard to choose just one--those lusty, brooding, sad-infinitely tortured souls, they certainly do get this girl in a tizzy.

So on this Halloween, I present you with a countdown of my 5 fave vampire guy crushes...straight outta Hollywood:

#5: Colin Farell in "Fright Night"
-this movie just came out over the summer (so you can netflix it sooner or later)...and Mr. Farell plays a handyman nextdoor neighbor...Um HOT!
But wait a minute; he needs blood to survive!
(Blood, sweat, dirt, guys in wife beaters...yeah look at that!)

#4: The dudes from "The Lost Boys"
-Really, do I even need to explain why I'm so attracted to this group?
Their clothing and looks alone are enough to drive my 80s lovin' self mad.
And a young Keifer Sutherland straight outta '87 is kinda easy on the eyes

#3: R. Patz as Edward Cullen in "Twilight"
-C'mon, even hardass girls like Joan Threat has a jr. high, 14yr old, crush from time to time.
Robert Pattinson is sooooooooo that guy!
He whispers a lot and says sweet-nothings to that one chick, Bella (or ironically enough didn't she portray Joan Jett in a certain movie a lil' while back?  Um, do I not try to portray Ms. Jett on a daily basis?  Oh the similarities).
Yeah, R. Patz has got my heart going "pitter patter".
-laugh it up ladies, I'm not ashamed that me and every 7th grade female out there has a thing for him.

#2: Gary Oldman in "Bram Stoker's Dracula"
-It's hard to find a way not to be attracted to this vampire's old world charms.
Quite the dapper gent in his younger form, although I cannot say the same about some of the other appearances he takes on thru the course of the movie...but the young Dracula?  YES PLEASE
-and btw, this is one of my favorite books and movies of all time...so Gary Oldham and a great storyline, you can't go wrong!

But there's only one Hollywood vampire hottie that has my heart 100%...its not hard to figure out if you've known me since I was 13.  When I was 13 I fell hard and fast for the cowboy hitchhiker in "Thelma and Louise"...so it goes without saying, I'm going to fall twice as hard for the same man when he's wearing vampire shoes.
My #1 Hollywood Vampire guy Crush is none other than:
(insert drumroll)
Brad Pitt as LOUIS in "Interview w/the Vampire"
Those piercing green eyes, his hot babyface pale and vein-y...wayyyyyyyyy HOTTER than his blood is cold!
His fangs, his love for his child vampire Claudia, his interview he gives to Christian Slater...the whole movie had me riveted and to this day is still one of my favorites...so it is just that much better when Brad Pitt comes on the screen and I get to fix my gaze on his portrayal of Louis.
Ohhhhhhhhhhh goodness golly, he's got the blood in my veins boiling...and as a vampire, he might not be able to resist that.
Unfortunately, someone should remind me, he's only fiction.
(but guy crush worthy fiction, no?)


So happy halloween readers!
Hope you have your own little monster crush of some sort...
For me...it'll always be the bloodthirsty vampires!

xx Joan Threat xx

A Day at the Farm

After our mellow slumber party last weekend, the Dolls got up with the sun and made our way to the Queens Farm for some good ol' fashioned Fall festivities.

Upon waiting for the train, we noticed we were all paired off quite nicely:

 Stevie Kicks and Joan Threat rockin leather jackets

 FOD Sarah and Mess Demeanor sportin solid color jackets

And Stevie, Kill E. and Snowflake with plaid on

A few photos from around the farm
 

Some of the farms residents
 
 
 

Sarah and Mess Demeanor being cute

After we gawked at the animals and the adorableness of the farm, we made our way over to the pumpkin patch
 Snowflake looking darling with the pumpkins

 

DTD Holiday photo, perhaps? (we'll photoshop Scarlet Fever in)

After we each picked out our magical pumpkins, we took a hay ride around the farm

 
JT, Stevie, Snowflake, Mess Demeanor, and Kill E gearing up for the hay ride!!

After our adventure on the hay ride we checked out the local produce and bought a few goodies from the gift shop

It was a great day with the ladies and a much needed break from the city. Thanks for the memories, dolls!


Xo,
Kill E. Kapowski

Currently Obsessed

And we're back with another week of current obsessions. The Dolls are now in full Fall mode and that means Halloween is just around the corner! I guess it's one of our main obsessions...



Joan Threat starts us off with ALL THINGS SPOOKY and HALLOWEEN-y as her obsession.  This is the last week to get uber festive for one of her fave holidays EVER!



Mess Demeanor's current obsession is the Bust DIY Guide to life.  Not only is it full of useful tips for how to live a more creative and independent life, but yours truly is featured on page 136!!  Check it.



Perfect just in time for Halloween, Damned by Chuck Palahniuk is Scarlet Fever's obsession .  If you get it soon enough you'll be able to finish it on Monday.



Fittingly, Kill E. Kapowski's new obsession is baking. Finding out that some of her fave baked goods were so bad for you while sifting through mounds of butter, sugar and cinnamon all in the name of making some delicious cinnamon rolls from scratch.



Stevie Kicks' current obsession is the dolls! After a tough week of boy drama, it's always good to have rad gals around for a friend, a shot, a hug, a punch, a joke, a piece of candy (thanks JT). You girls are the best.




Last but not least, Snowflake can't get enough of Mindy Kaling's blog: The Concerns of Mindy Kaling. Filled with stories of her childhood, showcasing things she's bought and any other tidbits this witty writer has to offer is always a fun read. Can't wait for her book to come out as well!

Thing To Remember If You Are Purchasing A Medicare Supplement Or Turning 65

After years of hard work you are finally eligible for Medicare. There is no shortage of information out there for you to decipher through. Make sure to review these points however.


Calls, emails, flyers. There is no shortage of information for you to look at or listen to but how do you make the best decision? Especially California Medicare plans can be a real maze with all of the plans to choose from like Medicare Advantage, Medigap, Part D, and Medicare Supplement.


Remember that Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplements can vary in price. They also can differ in benefits. It does remind you of the adage "Pay me now or pay me later". Medicare Supplements are more money per month but less money usually in the long run.


You probably have some friends that are in the same age bracket as you. Sometimes you might think to yourself that if a plan works for them it will work for you. This is not the case. Advice on these very important financial matters should come from someone that understands all the factors involved.


Talk to a professional, a Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent that has the ability to offer all of the companies in your state can provide great information that can aid you in a educated decision. There are some factors that your Financial Advisor and/or Insurance Agent should be asking you about. They are the following:


Are you going to be living in the same area for a prolonged period of time?


Do you travel in the U.S. on a yearly basis?


Do you travel outside of U.S. on a yearly basis?


What is the monthly premium amount that works for you?


Does freedom of choice when it comes to providers matter to you?


With all of this information your Financial Advisor or Insurance Agent will be able to lead you in the right direction.


Want to find out more about Medicare Supplement, then visit Andrew Coutavas's site on how to choose the best Medicare Plan for your needs.


View the original article here

Halloween show!


The Dolls will be reppin' in all their vested glory this Thursday night at this amazing cover band event! Swing by Death by Audio in Williamsburg and say hi, stay for the music and buy a re-worked vintage t-shirt (with proceeds going to Permanent wave so they can continue putting on cool events like this one!).

Medicare Supplemental Insurance - How to Choose an Advisor?

There are 10,000 baby boomers turning 65 every single day. If you are also turning 65 soon, you might feel a bit anxious. Not because you are turning 65 (after all, age 65 is the new 55). You are feeling overwhelmed due to the fact that your health insurance is probably changing and it's time to switch to a Medicare Plan. As the wise consumer that you are, you have started to do your research. Medicare and Medicare Supplemental options can be quite confusing. Then add all the mail that you've been receiving-those thick packets, the scary postcards and all those letters-you are even more confused, feel overwhelmed and you are now experiencing information overload. You have come to the realization that you want professional guidance concerning your options. But where to turn? If you follow these simple steps in seeking out an advisor, you will probably have a great experience with your Medicare Supplemental needs.


1. Stay Local. Do you really want to trust your Medicare Health Insurance with some calling center "agent," somewhere across the country or in another country altogether? If you stay local, that advisor should be willing to meet with you and review all your needs in person. Also, that advisor is well aware which plans work well in your area.


2. Expertise. There are many, many agents and brokers that sell insurance. Most of them are a jack of all trades, masters of none. Medicare and Medicare options are quite unique. Work with someone who specializes in Medicare Supplemental and Medicare Advantage plans and knows this field inside and out.


3. Professional. When you seek legal help, you talk to a person with JD on his/her business card. When you need tax help, you work with a CPA. Insurance advice should be no different. Work with a professional, who earned the designations Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) and Chartered Financial Consultant (ChFC).


4. Broker. Never, ever work with an agent that only represents one company. That agent is working for that particular insurance company, not for you. You want an unbiased Medicare broker who handles many companies. Your advisor should work for you!


The internet is an amazing tool. Use it! When you are on the internet, you need to decide whether you simply want a quote, or whether you want a professional advisor assisting you. Either way, the premium you pay for the Medicare Supplement Insurance is exactly the same. Why not take advantage of the guidance of a local Medicare professional? The service, advice, and processing is going to make a world of difference. Follow the above steps when deciding on an Medicare advisor, and you will be in great shape!


Allen Heffler, CLU, ChFC is a licensed Insurance Agent located in Philadelphia, PA. He specializes in Philadelphia Medicare Supplement Insurance and can be reached via telephone- (215) 658-1555, email- heff@comcast.net or website http://www.mymedicareadvisor.com/


View the original article here

Golden Girls

I'm not gonna lie - sometimes when I hang out with the Dolls the lyrics to the Golden Girls theme song go thru my head.  Not only because I want to thank them for being friends right now, but because I like the idea of us being sassy old ladies together as well.



We had another one of our regular slumber parties on Friday (which thanks to a coworker we will now be calling pajama parties) and it was the first time that we were all kind of tired and comfortable enough with each other to be perfectly content to NOT go wild, not get silly drunk and literally just watch TV and hang out.  We've reached the "Let's just stay in a watch a movie" stage in our relationship. 

You know when Joan Threat instantly throws on pjs and takes out her contacts we've reached a level of comfort reserved for true best buds. 


But as our relationship grows and strengthens, we have to learn to deals with some ups and downs.  It was tough to have to say goodbye to one of our own, but we are so happy for Mickie Dagger and wish her all the best in her new endeavors.  Plus, now we have a great reason to take the pajama parties down to Philly.  Look out, City of Brotherly Love, we're about to teach you a thing or two about sisterly love!

We're gonna miss you, Mickie.  xo

We always have some sort of craft project at these parties, so for the spirit of Halloween we decided to make voodoo dolls.  Not the kind that you use to inflict harm.  They're positive voodoo dolls and the pins  you choose represent good things like health and success. 

Before cutting the sticks for the dolls down to size, Kill E Kepowski channels some Halloween scary spirit.



Joan and Kill E use my trusty SWORD to cut the sticks down.  Amazing that no blood was shed.  


Snowflake marches to the beat of her own drum making her own style of voodoo doll, all while sitting in the coolest chair ever.  





Joan, Stevie and Kill E wrapping the dolls in moss.  Did I mention that these are gonna be kinda weird and scary looking?


Phase one of the voodoo dolls complete.  





Stay tuned to see the finished results.  And ladies, "Thank you for being a friend..."

Love and punches,
Mess Demeanor

Medicare Supplement Plans In Nevada, Colorado, and Utah

When you compare these 3 states and the Medicare Supplement Plans they have to other states in the country you see a major trend. For the most part they are much less expensive when compared to other states that have large cities in them. As we know Colorado has Denver, Nevada has Reno and Las Vegas, and Utah has Salt Lake and some other medium size cities within. So why is there a big price difference between these states and others. We will talk about 2 reasons.


Typically the healthier the state the lower the rates. All of these states boast a very good health rating. When a Medicare Supplement Company has lower health claims they also have lower costs which they usually pass along to the consumer as lower rates for there plans. Actually these companies are able to look in years past to try to determine there future costs for claims, when they see that in years past claims costs have been comparably lower than other states they are able to keep prices lower because of that. These rocky mountain area states thus are benefiting from a healthy life style, All of these states have lots of outdoor activities which aide in preserving a great health rating.


Competition is also a large factor in rates, as you look across the country at rates you will notice an important trend. In states where there is only 1 or 2 companies that sell Medicare Supplement Plans we find that the rates are very high. In states like Nevada, Utah, and Colorado we find at least 5 companies that offer these types of plans. With that being said every company is vying for a position in the market. When you are dealing with a standardized plan having a position in the market has every thing to do with prices.


Standardized plans is of tremendous importance as to why competition is so important, think about it like this. If you went to a car dealership to purchase an automobile you would not pay $5000 more for the exact same car with the same options, that will get you to the same place. It just does not make sense. It is the same with Medicare Supplement Plans. Educated consumers know that these plans are essentially identical company to company which means that there is not much more to talk about than price.


Whether you are looking at Utah Medicare Supplement Plans, Nevada Medicare Supplement Plans or Colorado Medicare Supplement Plans, you are in a good position. Living where you live could save you thousands of dollars in your Medicare Career.


Looking to find the best deal on A MEDICARE PLAN, then visit http://www.medicarequote4u.com/ to find the best advice on a Medicare Plan for you.


View the original article here

Your Medicare Supplement Plan - Have You Shopped Around Lately?

It's funny. Think about how often we "shop around" when we are about to buy a product. Whether it's buying groceries, electronics, stuff for the home, staples - you name it - we always want to pay as little as possible. We want to make sure we're getting the lowest price, so we "shop around." If you are that kind of person (most of us are), you have to ask yourself this question - have you "shopped around" your Medicare Supplement Plan recently? Are you getting the best bang for the buck on your Medicare insurance? If you shop around correctly, you potentially could save a lot of money on your Medigap plan

It is important to understand psychologically why you might not have "shopped around" your Medicare Supplement Plan. First, Medigap plans for many seniors tend to be quite confusing, and people might not want to wade into those waters again. Second, we might be lazy. Your current plan is working well, so why bother? Third, Medicare Supplement shopping around is not as fun as going shopping for clothes or that big screen TV. Fourth, many people are under the wrong assumption that you can only change Medicare Supplement Plans during "Open Enrollment." Not true! You may be able to switch from one Medicare Supplement Plan to another at any time during the year. There is no Enrollment Period that you have to wait for. It is important to understand and then overcome these objections to shopping your Medicare Insurance, since you might be losing hundreds of dollars a year with an expensive plan.

How might you save all that money on your Medicare Supplement Insurance? It is significantly easier than you think! The important fact is that that Medicare plans are standardized. For your chosen plan, there is no difference in coverage between company to company! For example, if you have Medicare Supplement Plan F from one company, all other company's Plan F is identical to your current Plan F. No difference whatsoever in the benefits. If a doctor/medical provider/hospital accepts Medicare, they will accept all Medicare Supplement carriers.

The only difference is the price each Medicare insurance company charges you. The price difference can be substantial. I recently did a telephone review of a husband and wife's Medicare Plan. After a ten minute analysis, we were able to save this couple over $1,000 year on their premium, while keeping the same exact coverage! Thus, keep your Medicare insurance company "honest." Have a professional shop around for you to get the lowest cost plan available. You too, might be able to save hundreds of dollars a year, while maintaining the identical high quality Medicare coverage.

Allen Heffler, CLU, ChFC is a licensed Insurance Agent located in Philadelphia, PA. He specializes in Medicare Plans and can be reached via telephone- (215) 658-1555, email- heff@comcast.net or website http://www.mymedicareadvisor.com/


View the original article here

What You Don't Know About Medigap - Medicare Supplement Plans Can Cost You

As an Independent Broker who specializes in Senior Insurance and Medigap - Medicare Supplement Insurance, I see on a daily basis how important accurate information is. Making a sound decision is wholly dependent on acquiring knowledge about and understanding your options.

Many of my clients have told me that their search for information resulted in an avalanche of calls and emails from dozens of insurance agents leaving them frustrated and even more confused. This can become so overwhelming that they just give up, missing the opportunity to learn about an option that might better their situation and save them money.

Fact 1: There are marketing companies that will sell your information.

When you seek information online or fill in a form to win a prize you may be entering your personal information into a lead service. They will sell your information to numerous agents who contact with them to provide them with the names and contact information of people seeking information about Medigap- Medicare Supplement Plans. This is what starts the avalanche!

You can avoid this by always making sure that you are on a legitimate, licensed broker's website.There should be a toll free number for you to call and an email address for you contact them.

If you are required to give all of your personal information in order to receive a quote you may be in the wrong place.

Fact 2: Although the cost of your Medigap - Medicare Supplement Plan may vary from company to company, the benefits are exactly the same.

There are currently 10 standardized Medicare Supplement Plans. PLAN A, PLAN B, PLAN C, PLAN D, PLAN F, PLAN G, PLAN K, PLAN L, PLAN M and PLAN N. The benefits in each of these plans are approved by the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). All insurance companies who offer Medicare Supplement Insurance Plans must comply with the approved benefits for the supplement plans that they offer.

Even though the benefits in each of the different plans are the same no matter which company is offering the plan, there are big differences in the prices of the plans from company to company.

Knowing this fact and taking the time to compare prices may save you 30% or more on your Medicare Supplement. A few minutes really can save you money.

Fact 3: You are NOT locked into your Medigap - Medicare Supplement Plan until Open Enrollment.

Medicare Supplement Plans are not subject to any annual enrollment periods. You are free to change plans any time of the year.

Knowing this fact frees you to compare your plan options and switch to a different plan or company at any time. If you find that you can get the same plan for a better price from a different company, you can switch and start saving immediately.

Fact 4: You ARE locked into your Part D Prescription Plan until open enrollment.

Part D Medicare Prescription Plans (PDP) are Medicare Approved plans offered by private insurance companies.

They vary in terms of monthly premium, deductible, and co-pays. Each plan has a unique formulary. A formulary is a list of drugs that the plan covers and where the specific drug fall on the plans co-pay tiers.

We did a comparison of 27 different plans available in Florida. We used a sample drug list which contained 5 drugs, 4 generic and 1 named brand. The estimated annual drug cost ranged from $734 for the least out-of-pocket plan, to $2623 for the highest.

Being in the wrong PDP can really impact your bottom line.

Write a reminder on your calendar for October next year and take the time to make sure that you are in the right plan for your specific drugs during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. This is the only time of the year that you can change your PDP.

I hope that these 4 important facts about Medigap - Medicare Supplement Plans will help you keep more of your money in your pocket.

Stephanie Coutavas is an Insurance Professional specializing in Senior Insurance Solutions and Medicare Insurance. Co- founder and Senior Broker at MedicareQuote4U.com-Common Sense Insurance Solutions Group. Stephanie decided to specialize in Medicare because, "I saw the effects of the confusion and misinformation in the senior market. I really feel that with the proper,correct information, presented in an understandable way that our Seniors can position themselves for the future and achieve the peace of mind and security that they deserve at this exciting stage of life. We strive one client at a time to make sure that we address the individual and that they are better for having met us, regardless of whether they choose us as their broker."

Whether you are receiving Medicare Benefits before age 65, helping a parent or loved one or just not sure if there might be a better value for your health care $$$, we can help. Call us at 1-888-347-5552 to speak with a licensed Medicare Supplement Specialist or visit us at
http://www.medicarequote4u.com/. We are your Medicare Supplement experts and we are standing by to help.


View the original article here

Currently Obsessed




Our doll Kill E. Kapowski is currently obsessed with this Nixon Shutter SS watch. A great balance of masculine and feminine, with jus the right touch of vintage.



Scarlet Fever's new daily ritual is stopping by Spices and Tease for a large tea on the go. Not only is she saving half of what she spends at Starbucks, but they have an amazing Gingerbread black tea!



Jewelry lover, Stevie Kicks is obsessed with Catbird. Stocked full of vintage looking pieces with affordable prices!



Snowflake has always been obsessed with Lush's Big shampoo. The sea salt, lime juice and seaweed infusion will turn any limp locks into mermaid like hair.



Mess Demeanor can't help but bring the geek girl out with these glasses from Bonlook. At $99 for a complete pair of prescription glasses plus they donate 1% of all sales to the Hellen Keller International Organization.



Joan Threat is obsessed with all things PUMPKIN! Picking, carving, eating. She's especially excited to try this pumpkin seed roasting recipe!

Medicare Open Enrollment 2011 for 2012

Just a quick note that the Medicare Open Enrollment period has started! If you are on Medicare, during the Fall Open Enrollment period you can change how you receive your health coverage and add, change or drop drug coverage. You can make as many changes as you want. The last change that is made is the one that will take effect. Changes made during the Fall Open Enrollment take effect January 1.

For more info, visit Medicare Advantage Plans 2012

Medigap - Benefits of Using an Independent Agency

As the Baby-Boomers turn 65 and start utilizing their Medicare benefits, many will have both the desire and the financial means to purchase some sort of additional insurance to fill in the gaps that Medicare leaves for the consumer to pay. This is where an independent agency is an extremely useful resource.


When people think about buying Medicare supplement insurance often the first thing that comes to mind are the big names: Anthem Medicare Preferred, Aetna, Blue Cross, Gerber, Mutual of Omaha, Sterling, etc. Some will spend hours calling or combing the internet trying to ring out the best deal for themselves. While this self-reliance and can-do attitude is noble, what if there is a very simple and easy way to ensure you get the lowest priced Medigap plan? This is where an independent agent comes in!


There are two types of insurance agents that you will meet when you wander through the woods of insurance shopping. The first and most prevalent is the captive agent. A captive agent is an agent that works for a particular insurance company and only sells insurance for that company. The reason they are so prevalent is because when an insurance agent starts off selling insurance they make very little money. Most agents cannot afford the cost of starting a small business, then going without a paycheck for many months. This means they have to sign with a big company that will sponsor them. The other type of insurance agent is an independent agent. This is an agent that is licensed in any particular state to sell insurance and can sell insurance from any company with which they have a contract. Most are contracted with several companies.


The benefit of using an independent agent is that they can compare the costs of all the insurance companies in your area and find you the lowest price. Also, your Medigap policy will not cost you any more if you use an independent agent. Many agents will even pay the mailing costs to process your application. Then in the future when your premiums rise, the independent agent can compare prices again to see if there is a better priced supplement plan for you.


Word of caution! Many seniors will go on the internet and start making quote requests on various web sites. This leads to them being bombarded with agents emailing them and calling them at all times of the day. It doesn't even matter if you are on a do not call list because you are granting permission to be called when you fill out the form. The reason for this happening is many of the internet sites that come up are there simply to collect people's information and then sell it to multiple agents and insurance companies. All Medicare Supplement plans are federally and state regulated, so there is no need to go through this hassle. The ABC plan of one company has the same exact coverage as the ABC plan of another. Also you cannot buy the plan of one company cheaper from one agent than you can another agent. The playing field is level.


So, save yourself a lot of hassle and time and find an independent agent from which to request your insurance quotes. To learn more about more about Medicare and Medicare supplement insurance from a licensed independent agency, visit us today at http://centaurmedicaresolutions.com/


Joel Moyer is an owner and independent agent for Centaur Medicare Solutions. Prior to being licensed as an insurance agent, Joel served in the US Army for over twenty years. His service included many places around the United States and countries including Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and South Korea. A more extensive bio is available by clicking his picture on our website.


View the original article here

Part D Enrollment Period - Big Changes For 2012 Plans

Almost everyone with Medicare or soon to be eligible for Medicare understands the value of joining a Medicare Part D Plan. The best time to join a Part D Plan is when you first become eligible for Medicare. By joining when you are first eligible you gain valuable coverage and avoid the Late Enrollment Penalty should you decide to enroll at a later date. But what if you want to join, switch or drop a Part D Plan? The Part D enrollment period, known as the Annual Enrollment Period gives you the opportunity.


When Medicare Part D Plans first became available in 2006 there were two distinct times to enroll or make changes. The Annual Enrollment Period (AEP) which originally ran from November 15 through December 31 and the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) which ran from January 1 through March 31.


During the AEP you could make changes with very little restriction. You could enroll in a stand-alone Part D Plan or for example if you live in California join a California Medicare Advantage Plan which included Part D coverage (MAPD). You could drop a plan or switch plans as you saw fit. You could even submit multiple applications with the last one received being the plan that you would ultimately join.


The OEP was little more restrictive. You could only make like-to-like plan changes with Part D being the determining factor. You were able to switch to another Part D Plan if you were currently enrolled in one. But were unable to enroll in a Medicare Rx Plan if you neglected to do so in the AEP. This enrollment period gave you the opportunity to make changes to your Part D coverage within the guidelines if you felt it was in your best interest.


People with Medicare liked the freedom afforded by these enrollment opportunities and insurance agents certainly liked being able to help a client who may have joined a plan that was less than beneficial for their circumstances. But the powers that be within the government felt that the Part D enrollment period needed fixing!


January 2011 saw the elimination of the Medicare Open Enrollment Period and the beginning of less choice for people with Medicare. Instead of the OEP a new dis-enrollment period was put in place. This period was only for people who enrolled in an Advantage Plan during the AEP who would like to drop that plan.


During the Annual Dis-enrollment Period which begins January 1 and ends February 14 you are able to drop your Medicare Advantage Plan and return to original Medicare. You can also purchase a different stand-alone Part D drug plan. If you choose, you can also purchase a Medicare supplement but may be subject to the insurance company's underwriting requirements. This does not allow you to switch a stand-alone Part D Plan. You are locked in.


Big changes are in store for Part D Plans with a January 2012 effective date. The Medicare Annual Enrollment Period has been changed. The Annual Enrollment Period for Part D and Medicare Advantage will now begin October 15 and end December 7. The extra week is nice but you better mark your calendar other wise you will be out of luck!


Plan sponsors should be releasing details of their Part D Plans and Medicare Advantage Plans earlier than in years past and information should also be posted on the Medicare website sooner as well. It is your responsibility to be proactive and research any plans you may be interested in prior to the Part D enrollment period end date of December 7.


Don't be one of the tens of thousands that will not get the word about these date changes. Be sure not to miss the opportunity to enroll in the Medicare Part D Plan of your choice.


David Forbes is President of Alliance Marketing Associates, Inc. David enables older adults to make informed decisions to protect their health and wealth. He also offers helpful advice on topics related to insurance for seniors, including information related to Medicare Part D Formularies


Sign up for your Free Mini-Course on Medicare Plans at http://affordablemedicareplan.com/humana-walmart-preferred-rx-plan-lowest-part-d-premium/.


View the original article here

Medicare, Medigap, Medicare Advantage - Demystified

If you are like many folks, you have struggled to understand your Medicare benefits. Parts, plans, deductibles, co-pays, co-insurance, Medicare supplement, PPO, HMO, POS, MAPD, language that seems to go in circles. You don't have to be a Medicare expert to understand your benefits and choices. The first step is to gain a clear understanding of some Medicare basics.


The Four Parts of Medicare.


Medicare consists of four parts. Each part is designated by a letter. A - D


Medicare Part A covers room and board and some other expenses in an inpatient situation. This can include a hospital, skilled nursing facility and hospice care. Medicare Part A has a deductible and co-insurances that you will be responsible for. Most people do not pay a premium for Part A.


Medicare Part B is the outpatient side of Medicare. This includes doctor visits, surgical services, physical therapy, speech therapy, durable medical equipment, home health care, outpatient testing and some drugs. Part B covers 80% of approved amounts for these expenses after you have met your annual deductible. Part B requires a monthly premium. Enrollment is optional. In most cases there is a late enrollment penalty that will be added to your premium if you delay enrollment in Part B unless you have other creditable coverage. There are limited enrollment periods every year when you are able to enroll in Part B.


Parts A & B are what is known as original Medicare. It was created in the 1965 with the first benefits paid in 1966 to help seniors with medical expenses. It is a government health plan. It covers most of your medical expenses. There are gaps in the coverage and most seniors cover all or some of the gaps with a Medicare Supplement insurance plan. Thus creating a situation where they can control and predict their medical expenses from month to month and year to year.


If you choose to stay with original Medicare you can use any doctor or hospital anywhere in the country as long as they accept Medicare.


Medicare Part C is Medicare Advantage. Since 1997 seniors have had the option to enroll in private Medicare Insurance. The Plan Provider is paid with your Part B premium and an additional amount from Medicare for each enrollee. These plans are required to cover at least what Part A & Part B cover. Some Medicare Advantage Plans, for example Anthem Medicare PPO include benefits not found in original Medicare like dental coverage, eye glasses and gym memberships. Some of the plans include prescription coverage. There are several types of Medicare Advantage Plans; HMO, PPO, PFFS, and POS. It is very important to remember that the coverage in a Medicare Advantage Plan is the same coverage as Medicare Part A and Part B. It is not the same as Part A and Part B with a supplement. All Advantage Plans will have out-of-pocket expenses in the form of co-pays for office visits, daily co-insurance for hospital stays etc. You are not permitted to add a supplement policy to your Advantage Plan to cover these costs. Regardless of the type of Advantage Plan that you choose, be aware that you will have to choose from providers who accept your specific plan or be ready to pay increased out-of-pocket expenses.


Medicare Part D is Medicare's prescription coverage. These plans are made available by private companies like Anthem Medicare plans. Medicare mandates and approves the plans that are offered. You will have a monthly premium for the Part D plan that you choose. You may choose to not enroll in a Part D plan but keep in mind that you will pay a late enrollment penalty when you do enroll. The fine will be based on the number of months from when you were eligible for Part D and the month you enrolled. Enrollment opportunities are limited to Medicare Enrollment Periods each year.


By taking a moment to understand what each Part of Medicare covers and knowing where you are exposed within the coverage of each you have provided yourself a solid position from which to plan a solution that works for your unique situation.


Stephanie Coutavas decided to specialize in Medicare because, "I saw the effects of the confusion and misinformation in the senior market. I really feel that with the proper information, presented in an understandable way that our Seniors can position themselves for the future and achieve the peace of mind and security that they deserve at this exciting stage of life. We strive one client at a time to make sure that we address the individual and that they are better for having met us, regardless of whether they choose us as their broker."


Whether you are receiving Medicare Benefits before age 65, helping a parent or loved one or just not sure if there might be a better value for your health care $$$, we can help. Call us at 1-888-347-5552 to speak with a licensed Medicare Supplement Specialist or visit us at http://www.medicarequote4u.com/. We are your Medicare Supplement Experts.


View the original article here

Gutter Girls

There's one thing that brings the Dolls together like no other...and that's Bowling!!!

Its a sport we can all participate in, be our skills good or bad. 
We get to share a few laughs, high five like bros, hoot and holler, and just have fun!

Some of us excel more than others...a hem, Snowflake!
Believe me...that girl can bowl a mean game; not quite a 300, but she really knows how to knock down a few pins.
September 029
As many of you know, we frequent The Gutter often.  Its our favorite spot to bowl a few strikes, pick up a spare, and mostly throw a few gutter balls.
Not only is The Gutter our fave bowling alley, its also our gang's clubhouse, so of course we're going to stick to the tried and true and offer up our support to this fine establishment when we want to hit the alley.
042044
September 035
So with our fondness for the fine sport of bowling, and the lack of real pro-bowling skills, I still wonder when the dolls are gonna toss around the idea of joining a league.
It only makes sense right?
Even if we suck at it, how cool would we be if we laced up our shoes every week and had matching uniforms?
(you know, cause the matching vest, clearly is not enough-haha).
I personally would prefer a set of vintage bowling shirts for my dolls.
It would be awesome to have something like this, only with our logo on the back.
We'd completely be a terror on the lanes, even if our scores didn't intimidate, our dagger glares would do the trick and take care of the rest.

So if we could ever find the spare time (full pun intended...get it? SPARE), I'm almost certain the Dolls would LOVE to be on a bowling league.  What do you think?  You think we should join???
I don't even need you to answer that...the response is obviously going to be an unanimous YES!

But now, just to get you in the spirit and to get your mind outta the gutter, I leave you with a few fun facts that I find interesting, considering the Dolls love this sport, and we're in NY!

1.) Did you know its called a "BROOKLYN" when you get a strike after hitting the lefthand side of the head pin 
(for a right handed bowler)
2.) The first indoor bowling alley was built in NYC in 1840, 
it was called "Knickerbockers"
3.) By the 1800s, NY was appointed the "
Unofficial Capital of Bowling"
4.) On September 9, 1895 (coincidence 9/9 is also Snowflake's birthday??? hmmmm), the first standardize rules on bowling were formed in New York.
5.) Some guy named "Keith" is the current top score at the Gutter; a whoppin' 289!

So kids, why not test your hand at being one cool alley cat?  Lace up those stinky shoes, put your fingers into a grimy ball, score yourself a Turkey, and we'll hopefully see you at the lanes!
And of course, just HAVE FUN BOWLING!!!!