Looking Forward Our Way

Josh Kinzel from Seniority Benefits Group is back in the studio to talk about the 2024 Medicare Open Enrollment.

Josh starts off by explaining that when it comes to Medicare choices, you have some flexibility. You can go with a supplement and drug plan or opt for a Medicare Advantage plan. The decision really depends on your own risk tolerance when it comes to health insurance events. If you have chronic conditions, you might lean towards a safer approach with a supplement and drug plan. On the other hand, if you're not dealing with any health issues but like to play it safe, a Medicare Advantage plan might be more up your alley.

To help put things in perspective, Josh uses the analogy of car or home insurance. You can choose to pay more upfront for comprehensive coverage or take on more risk for potential savings. In the Medicare world, the fundamental choices are a supplement and drug plan for lower risk or a Medicare Advantage plan for more risk and savings.

One important thing to note is that when you initially choose Medicare, no one can deny you coverage based on your medical condition. Medicare is an insurance program offered by the government, with Medicare A covering hospitalization and Medicare B covering everything outside of the hospital. However, these plans only cover about 80% of your medical bills and don't include prescription medications.

That's where things like Medicare supplement plans (also known as Medigap) and Part D pharmacy plans come into play. You can purchase a supplement plan to cover the remaining 20% and also get Part D to cover your prescription meds.

Alternatively, there's Medicare Advantage (Part C), which is like having an all-in-one card for your healthcare needs. These plans are administered by private insurance companies on behalf of Medicare.

Josh also talks about the cost of medications and how they can vary. However, the good news is that the Inflation Reduction Act plans to implement a maximum out-of-pocket cost of $2,000 for all medications by 2025. That's a big relief for those who need expensive medications to stay healthy.

He also mentions that the premium and deductibles for Medicare have been pretty stable over the years, which is reassuring.

We also dive into some interesting stuff about how Medicare plans are advertised. Advertisements must be specific about the plans they're discussing, unlike those often misleading ads we've seen in the past. The goal is to remove the open-ended and misleading aspects of current ads and promote more focused advertising from specific healthcare companies.

He and Seniority Benefit Group specialize in helping small groups deliver affordable health insurance options. They even have a tool called Shop Our Plan that provides personalized recommendations on whether employees should stick with their employer plan or consider Medicare.

So, if you're gearing up for the 2024 Medicare Open Enrollment, give this episode a listen to get all the info you need to make the best decision for your healthcare needs.

Here is a list of resources mentioned in this episode.

We would love to hear from you.

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And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2026 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

Josh Kinzel from Seniority Benefit Group is back in the studio with us. In this next episode, we dive deeper into these crucial Medicare topics. You'll gain valuable insights and feel more confident when navigating the complex world of Medicare Open Enrollment

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Facebook.

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And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2023 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

Our featured guest, Anthony Santilli from the Fangs & Fur Podcast, talks about his personal journey feeding his pet, sharing how a crisis in the pet food industry compelled him to reevaluate his career path.

Witnessing the transformative impact of real, fresh, and raw food on dogs' health, he developed a passion for promoting healthier diets for our four-legged companions.

We delve into the connection between diet and health issues such as diabetes and kidney disease in dogs. Anthony offers practical tips to improve your dog's diet without breaking the bank, debunking the myth that natural food for dogs is always more expensive.

Taking proactive steps in providing better nutrition can save money in the long run by reducing the need for medication and veterinary care.

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Bluesky and Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2026 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

Coming up next week, Anthony Santilli from the Fangs & Fur Podcast, talks about his personal journey feeding his pet, sharing how a crisis in the pet food industry compelled him to reevaluate his career path.

We delve into the connection between diet and health issues such as diabetes and kidney disease in dogs. Anthony offers practical tips to improve your dog's diet without breaking the bank, debunking the myth that natural food for dogs is always more expensive.

This episode will be in your podcast player Monday 9/4/23!

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2023 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

We have a very special guest joining us once again - Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano. Together, we will explore the hot topic of property tax reappraisal in 2023 and its impact on homeowners across the county.

As we discuss the importance of modernizing the Homestead exemption and preventing property taxes from driving long-time residents out of their neighborhoods, we will also explore potential solutions such as capping tax increases and targeted tax breaks. Our guest sheds light on a Cleveland Ohio model and how it could prove to be an effective solution.

But that's not all - we'll also take a deep dive into the intricacies of the property tax system, the importance of understanding how taxes are established, and how a slight change in property values can have significant implications for homeowners.

The best way to get a handle on all of this is to go to their new website, Know Your Home Value.

So, whether you're a homeowner interested in the 2023 property tax reappraisal, or simply intrigued by the interplay between property taxes and community development, this episode has something for you.

Get ready to gather valuable insights from Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano as we explore this timely and important topic.

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Bluesky and Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2026 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

For those who own homes, or are ready to purchase a home, one issue that has a great impact on that decision is the level of county property taxes currently - and in the future.

Homes in Franklin County (OH) increased in value by 41% during the past few years.

Our guest in this upcoming episode is Franklin County Auditor Michael Stinziano. He is joining us to answer questions and provide you with details on this year's (2023) reappraisal process.

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2023 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

In this episode, we have two special guests joining us, Mason Landrum and Alex West from Nice Guy Technology.

We delve into the dark corners of the internet as we discuss the dark web and the importance of cybersecurity. Mason and Alex share valuable insights and tips to help us navigate this digital realm safely. From the dangers of vishing scams to the hidden depths of the deep web, we'll explore it all.

So buckle up and get ready for an eye-opening conversation that will empower you to protect yourself and your loved ones from cyber threats. Let's dive in!

Here are the resources we mention in the episode.

https://bitwarden.com/password-strength/

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Bluesky and Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2026 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

Coming up, we are diving deep into the dark web with Nice Guy Technology! Get ready for eye-opening discussions on cybersecurity and the hidden world of the internet.

In your podcast player Monday 8/7/23.

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2023 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

We welcome Chuck Gehring, President and CEO LifeCare Alliance.

Throughout the episode, Chuck emphasizes the goal of keeping clients independent in their own homes and off waiting lists, emphasizing the importance of preventative measures and education.

He also touches on the challenges faced by seniors living on a limited income and their struggles with rising costs, especially during the summer months. With the growing number of seniors in Ohio and their significant voting power, Chuck discusses the upcoming presidential campaign and the focus on seniors as an important voting demographic. He also brings attention to the Medicaid reauthorization process and the potential loss of coverage for many if not reauthorized by August 2023.

Looking to the future, LifeCare Alliance aims to build an endowment to ensure its sustainability and prepare for the complex needs of the organization. Chuck also express concerns about training and retaining the next generation of staff.

Join us on this insightful episode of Looking Forward Our Way as we explore the challenges faced by those in need and the crucial work being done by LifeCare Alliance to provide assistance and support.

Here are the resources we mention in the podcast.

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Bluesky and Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle 270 Media® Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2026 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson

In our next episode, Chuck Gehring, President and CEO of LifeCare Alliance joins us on this insightful episode of Looking Forward Our Way. We explore the challenges faced by those in need and the crucial work being done by LifeCare Alliance to provide assistance and support.

In your podcast player July 31, 2023.

We would love to hear from you.

Give us your feedback, or suggest a topic, by leaving us a voice message.

Email us at [email protected].

Find us on Facebook.

Please review our podcast on Google!

And of course, everything can be found on our website, Looking Forward Our Way.

Recorded in Studio C at 511 Studios. A production of Circle270Media Podcast Consultants.

Copyright 2023 Carol Ventresca and Brett Johnson