Public Posts Stanwood, WA Stanwood, WA (zoom)

When did lying
become an acceptable
practice? When is someone,
responsible for what they say?

What sayeth you
to the one in charge?
asking questions from above,
either small or large.

Do you think I'm a fool,
without a clue?
What do you say?
What about you.

A rumble of
voices, a noise.
A babble of tones,
do you suppose,

people conversing,
talking along,
so many topics,
a mumbling song.

I'm sorry for the worry,
that followed you home.
Keeping those who love you
close, won't be alone.

I reach out.
Reaching in vain.
Calling to her,
Calling her name.

I awake startled,
she isn't in bed,
it's then I realize,
it was all in my head.

Sleeping together,
after 66 years,
is no longer possible.
I've realized my fears.

One of the most frequent questions I get about Medicare is “Do I need to sign up for Medicare when I turn 65 if I have employer group coverage?” And the answer is: It depends….

It depends on the size of the employer group and some other factors:
• Your cost for the coverage (including premium contribution and out of pocket expenses for deductibles, copays and your annual out of pocket maximum)
• If the employer plan benefits meet your needs (benefits, provider network)

NOTE: If your employer group is less than 20 employees, you should sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B when you are first eligible or face a lifetime late enrollment penalty. Your Initial Enrollment Period is a seven month window:

• 3 months prior to your 65th birthday,
• your birthday month and
• 3 months after your birthday month

With employer groups of less than 20 full time employees, Medicare is the primary payer and your employer group coverage pays secondary based on the benefit plan.

If your employer group is more than 20 employees, and offers medical and prescription drug coverage that is at least as good as Medicare (aka "creditable coverage"), you may not need to sign up for Medicare Part B right away. However, it's important to review the benefits and cost of your employer plan compared to the benefits and cost of Medicare plus a Supplement and drug plan or Medicare Advantage plan. In many cases, people save money by enrolling with Medicare.

There are several options for Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans available, and the key is determining which one will offer you the best coverage based on your healthcare needs, your lifestyle and your budget.

Medicare agents must be licensed in the state they sell products and must complete an annual certification and insurance company specific product training each year to assure they are qualified to help beneficiaries in making good choices. If you need assistance with your Medicare decisions, please contact me at 206-569-5415 or by email at suderloy@gmail.com. I am a licensed and certified health insurance agent in WA State and represent multiple health insurance companies. I can help you with your decision and enrollment for the plan that best meets your needs.

NASA Astronomy Picture of the Day:

For northern hemisphere dwellers, September's Full Moon was the Harvest Moon. Reflecting warm hues at sunset, it rises behind cypress trees huddled on a hill top in Tuscany, Italy in this telephoto view from September 28. Famed in festival, story, and song, Harvest Moon is just the traditional name of the full moon nearest the autumnal equinox. According to lore the name is a fitting one. Despite the diminishing daylight hours as the growing season drew to a close, farmers could harvest crops by the light of a full moon shining on from dusk to dawn. This Harvest Moon was also known to some as a supermoon, a term becoming a traditional name for a full moon near perigee. It was the fourth and final supermoon for 2023. Note: Non-NASA APOD mirror sites will be updated if the US goverment shuts down.

Photo by Antonio Tartarini

Abandoned as a child,
forsaken as a man.
Roadblocks to a path
to succeed. I know I can.

My inner peace,
is struggling once more.
Trying to reject depression,
as I get up from the floor.

There's nothing here,
I don't wish to keep score
about people's issues as
I don't relate anymore.

Forever we go.
Forever we stay.
Forever, a lifetime.
Forever ends, some day.

I may appear to be calloused,
when I don't care anymore.
That's far from the truth,
for improvement in writing, I implore.