The Bourland Group Insurance Services

If you're in need of an expert agent to help in any way with your Medicare options feel free to contact me. Thanks

Corona Virus CDC Source and Spread of the Virus Coronaviruses are a large family of viruses that are common in people and many different species of animals, including camels, cattle, cats, and bats. Rarely, animal coronaviruses can infect people and then spread between people such as with MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, and now with this new virus (named SARS-CoV-2).... The SARS-CoV-2 virus is a betacoronavirus, like MERS-CoV and SARS-CoV. All three of these viruses have their origins in bats. The sequences from U.S. patients are similar to the one that China initially posted, suggesting a likely single, recent emergence of this virus from an animal reservoir. Early on, many of the patients at the epicenter of the outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China had some link to a large seafood and live animal market, suggesting animal-to-person spread. Later, a growing number of patients reportedly did not have exposure to animal markets, indicating person-to-person spread. Person-to-person spread was subsequently reported outside Hubei and in countries outside China, including in the United States. Some international destinations now have ongoing community spread with the virus that causes COVID-19, as do some parts of the United States. Community spread means some people have been infected and it is not known how or where they became exposed. Learn what is known about the spread of this newly emerged coronaviruses. On This Page Background Source and Spread of the Virus Severity COVID-19 Now a Pandemic Situation in U.S. Risk Assessment What May Happen CDC Response Highlights of CDC's Response CDC Recommends Other Available Resources Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Global Map World map showing countries with COVID-19 cases View larger image and see a list of locations map icon COVID-19 cases in the U.S. Severity The complete clinical picture with regard to COVID-19 is not fully known. Reported illnesses have ranged from very mild (including some with no reported symptoms) to severe, including illness resulting in death. While information so far suggests that most COVID-19 illness is mild, a reportexternal icon out of China suggests serious illness occurs in 16% of cases. Older people and people of all ages with severe chronic medical conditions like heart disease, lung disease and diabetes, for example seem to be at higher risk of developing serious COVID-19 illness. Learn more about the symptoms associated with COVID-19.

What is the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) in 2020? If you’re currently enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you have the opportunity to comparison-shop Medicare Advantage plans for 2020 and make a change in the new year. This Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period began in 2019, and continues in 2020. The Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (MA OEP) begins on January 1 each year and ends on March 31. This open enrollment period replaces the old Medicare Advantage disenrollment period that ran from January 1 through February 14. The MA OEP also gives you an opportunity to switch Medicare Advantage plans.

Medicare Advantage Plans With $0 Monthly Premiums: Here’s What You Need to Know Medicare Advantage plans appear to be a popular plan option for Medicare enrollees. How popular? According to a recent report, 1 in 3 people with Medicare have a Medicare Advantage Plan!1... Why is it so popular? Medicare Advantage plans (also called Medicare Part C) provide you with all your Part A and Part B benefits, and may provide extra coverage above and beyond what Medicare Part A & Part B cover. Many plans may also provide this coverage with affordable monthly premiums or $0 monthly premiums. Even better, when you sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan, you will still have all of the rights and protections provided by the Medicare program. Your coverage is conveniently bundled in one plan. What benefits does it offer? So what kind of coverage can you expect from a Medicare Advantage plan that may have a $0 premium? The answer may surprise you. Medicare Advantage plan enrollees may have access to some or all of the following additional benefits: Prescription drug coverage Limits on yearly out-of-pocket medical costs Dental coverage Vision coverage Emergency and urgent care Wellness programs Remember that these available benefits are in addition to the benefits that Medicare Advantage plans are required to cover for Medicare Part A & Part B. It’s pretty clear why Medicare Advantage Plans appear to be the popular choice among Medicare enrollees. Are you ready to join the over 22 million people who already have a plan