True North Associates, LLC

About Us

Protecting Your Future

We have over a decade of insurance expertise helping clients prepare for the unknown. Ask us about Medicare, Life, Short Term Care, Long Term Care, Disability, Fixed Annuities, and more!

We work with many companies so you will get the right product for you.

Assessing Your Needs

Without proper protections, good strategies can be destroyed overnight. When you make an appointment, we will analyze your financial & insurance status, needs, and budget to get you covered correctly, quickly, and at the right price.

LICENSED INSURANCE ADVISER

ADVISING SERVICES

I am thrilled to say that I have been assisting people for more than a decade regarding their insurance needs.

Given the increasing number of people that are looking for advice but are not ready to pull the trigger (still working, spouse who covers benefits is still working, requirement to use a specific company to get reduced premiums on Medicare supplementation) I decided to become a Licensed insurance Adviser.

This means that I have taken a licensing exam that shows that I am competent to advise for all things covered by my Life, Health, and Accident Insurance License. (That does not include Property Casualty as that continues to be a service that I do not provide.) However, it does include my specialty in Medicare.

For advising services I am partnering with many Financial Advisor Groups so that I am a part of their team and the planning fee you pay to them will include my services with no additional fee for you.

If you don't have a Financial Advisor with whom I have partnered (feel free to introduce us) my fee is $65/hour. If we meet for less than 30 minutes or you purchase a product from me that fee will be waived.

Thank you for allowing me to continue to provide guidance and support to everyone who trusts me to do so.

I look forward to continuing my relationships with my current clients as well as future ones.

Owner/Director

Elizabeth L J. Smith

Elizabeth brings 30 years of nursing, over a decade of insurance experience, and 6 years in the Financial Industry to her expertise. Her work, and personal, experiences enable her to bring much more than a sales approach to her clients.

She holds a Life & Health License.

She is also a rep for CSSI; whose mission is helping investment proper

She holds a Life & Health License.

She is also a rep for CSSI; whose mission is helping investment property owners increase their personal income tax deductions thus keeping more money in their pocket.

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Annual Medicare Changes

Please reach us at Elizabeth@TrueNorthAssoc.com if you cannot find an answer to your question.

Or make your own appointment- www.calendly.com/eljs

New Medicare Part B (Outpatient) pricing for 2025

Each year the Medicare Part B premium, deductible, and coinsurance rates are determined according to the Social Security Act.

The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees is $174.40 for 2024, and will be $185 for 2025.

The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries was $240 in 2024, and will be $257 for 2025.

2025 Medicare Part A (Inpatient) out of pocket costs

The Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible that beneficiaries pay if admitted to the hospital was $1,632 in 2024, and will be $1,676 for 2025.

The Part A inpatient hospital deductible covers beneficiaries’ share of costs for the first 60 days of Medicare-covered inpatient hospital care in a benefit period.

In 2025, beneficiaries must pay a coinsurance amount of $419 per day for the 61st through 90th day of a hospitalization ($408 in 2024) in a benefit period

and $838 per day for lifetime reserve days ($816 in 2024).

For beneficiaries in skilled nursing facilities, the daily coinsurance for days 21 through 100 of extended care services in a benefit period will be $209.50 in 2025 ($204in 2024).

Changes to Part D (Prescription Plan) for 2025

Continuing in 2025, under the Inflation Reduction Act, people with Medicare prescription drug coverage will have improved and more affordable benefits, including a $35 cost-sharing limit on a month’s supply of each covered insulin product, as well as adult vaccines that are recommended by the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) at no additional cost, there are no co-payments during the Catastrophic Phase.

AND there is: NO COVERAGE GAP, a co-payment limit of $2,000, AND you can opt in (with your insurance company) to have your co-payments annualized. (And you can opt out if you wish to do so)

Can I change my Medicare Supplement without having to health qualify using the "Birthday Rule"

The Medicare Supplement birthday rule is an annual protection that is afforded to Medicare beneficiaries in certain states. It’s an open enrollment period available for a specific timeframe around your birthday where purchasing a Medigap policy without underwriting or a waiting period is possible.

There are eight total Medicare Supplement birthday rule states, and while each of these states participates, each also has its own unique parameters surrounding this opportunity. Therefore, it’s important to understand not only who has the Medigap birthday rule but how it’s applied within each.

Those states are currently- MD, OR, CA, ID, IL, NV, LA, KY, OK, UT,VA

Frequently Asked Questions

Please contact us if you cannot find an answer to your question.

What is the BEST Medicare supplement?

There is no such thing as the best supplement.

The best supplement is the best one for you.

When can I change a Medicare supplement?

Anytime you want, if you can health qualify.

Unless you are eligible for Open Enrollment or Guaranteed Issue which require no underwriting.

As of July 2023 Maryland is a "Birthday" State. That means for the 30 days after the birthday a Medicare recipient can change their supplement to an equal or lower coverage supplement with no underwriting.

I don't have any heirs. Do I still need life insurance?

Everyone's situation is different but unfortunately it is not free to die, so unless you have put a different plan in place, or you want someone to have to create a GoFundMe account - Yes.

My health is not great. Can I still get life insurance?

Depending on your age, yes you can.

I have a bank account with funds to be used for my funeral. Is there a better option for them?

Given the low interest rates being provided by banks, there are several options that might be better for you.

Is it smart to buy life insurance for my children/grandchildren?

Yes. Done correctly it can be not only a gift for them, but a generational one as well.

What is CSSI Services, INC and what do they do?

CSSI Services is the largest Cost Segregation company that does this work (as well as more). We have completed over 50,000 studies since 2003. Using an Engineering Based study we are able to accelerate depreciation as well as repair regulation experts for the 2014 Tangible Property Regulations.

This assists commercial property owners reduce their PERSONAL INCOME TAX.