Health insurers will flood the Medicare Advantage market again this fall with enticing offers for plans that have no monthly price tag.The number of so-called zero-premium plans has been growing for years, and they can appeal to retirees who live on fixed incomes. Experts say shoppers should exercise caution, because they might find better coverage at a relatively small monthly cost. “It’s not a one-size-fits-all program,” said Melissa Brenner, a broker in Charlotte, North Carolina. “You don’t want to look at a zero plan and just enroll in it.”Medicare Advantage plans are privately run versions of the government’s Medicare program for people who are age 65 and older or have certain disabilities. The annual enrollment window for 2023 Medicare Advantage coverage opens next week. A closer look at the coverage:A GROWING OPTIONNearly seven out of 10 people who enrolled in an individual Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage for this year opted for no-premium plans, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation, a nonprofit that studies health care issues. That’s up from around five in 10 in 2015. Kaiser also found that 98% of people eligible for Medicare had access to an Advantage plan with drug coverage that charged no premium.“They’re everywhere,” said Bob Rees, vice president of Medicare sales for the online insurance broker eHealth.Medicare Advantage shoppers had plenty of choices in general. Kaiser found that the average person eligible for Medicare had access to 39 Advantage plans during last fall’s enrollment window, including those that charged premiums.For 2023, about 57% of Medicare Advantage plans will have no premium, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. KNOWING THE CATCHThe adage that nothing in life is free applies here.The plans charge no premium, but most people who qualify for Medicare will still pay a monthly cost for the program’s Part B, which covers doctor visits and other outpatient care. That usually comes out of Social Security checks and will total $164.90 next year. Government funding helps insurers offer an array of Medicare Advantage plans with no premiums and extras like dental or vision care that are not covered in traditional Medicare. One key difference from traditional Medicare: These plans usually require patients to visit doctors, hospitals or pharmacies in a network. Some plans may not cover care received outside those networks. WHAT TO CONSIDERBefore looking at a plan’s price, Brenner recommends that shoppers check to see whether their doctors are in the network and how regular prescriptions would be covered. Then they should look at coverage basics. That can include what sort of copays would come with a specialist visit or a hospital stay. They also should look at the annual out-of-pocket maximum.Some of these payments might be higher with a plan that has no premium, so customers could lose any savings if they use the coverage frequently.“There’s always going to be a give and take,” said Brenner, an independent broker who specializes in Medicare Advantage. The federal Medicare.gov website lets visitors compare plan coverages, including for prescriptions.THE CHALLENGESA plan that charges no premium may wind up being a bargain for someone who is relatively healthy. But it can be hard for shoppers to predict what specialists they may need to see or if they will want access to, say, an out-of-state cancer hospital in a given year. “Older people tend to get sick and use services, so it’s a gamble,” said Tricia Neuman, a Kaiser Family Foundation Medicare expert.Sometimes even routine expenses will stick out.Charles Kolton picked a zero-premium plan several years ago but was disappointed with the limited dental coverage that came with it. He later switched to a plan that charges $24 a month but also pays for up to $2,000 in dental costs, or roughly double what his previous option covered. “You can rack up these dental bills pretty quickly,” the 79-year-old North Carolina man said.DEADLINESPeople will have from Oct. 15 until Dec. 7 to pick a new plan or decide whether they want to keep the same coverage. Rees, the eHealth executive, warns shoppers not to wait until December. There’s generally a big rush to sign up at the end. Late shoppers can get locked out if they haven’t chosen a plan already. Nearly half the people eligible for Medicare enroll in Medicare Advantage plans, according to Kaiser. People also can stick with traditional Medicare and sign up for supplemental coverage, which generally comes with a higher premium than an Advantage plan. For Medicare Advantage shoppers, Neuman expects that insurers will continue to offer more zero-premium plans in 2023 as they push to grow enrollment.“Plans understand that seniors are focused on premiums,” she said. ———Follow Tom Murphy on Twitter: @thpmurphy ———The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content. .
Eat Real has broaden its appeal to flavour explorers with the addition of Sea Salt & Balsamic Vinegar to its hummus chip range.The leading UK free from brand – a pioneer in the plant-based snacking movement – is pushing to accelerate its growth with its bold flavours and better-for-you credentials. As such, its new variant is vegan and contains 30% less fat than regular potato chips. It is also free from gluten, artificial colours, flavours and ingredients. It joins other hero flavours in the range – like Tomato & Basil, Salted and Sour Cream & Chive – five of which are HFSS compliant, thanks to a reduction of their salt content by more than 50%.The launch coincides with Eat Real’s rebrand with new pack designs across its portfolio, which includes lentil chips, quinoa chips and veggie straws, among others.“Eat Real has become pioneers in better-for-you thanks to its unusual ingredients layered with bold, unexpected flavours inspired by the combinations you find in your own cooking,” said marketing director Helen Pomphrey.“We’ve found that Eat Real’s flavours are a key driver to consumer purchase, as more people opt for delicious, yet healthier alternatives.” Eat Real’s new packs are rolling out across the UK, in Sainsbury’s from September and other retailers including Tesco from October, in grab bags (45g) for an RRP of £1.20 and sharing bags (135g) for £2.00.Seasonal bestsellers
Pladis has unveiled its 2022 Christmas ranges from Jacob’s and Carr’s, which includes returning favourites and non-HFSS (high in fat, sugar and salt) treats.Jacob’s has refreshed its line-up of ever-popular Christmas Caddies (£2.79), with 50% HFSS-compliant. This year, Jacob’s Mini Cheddars Original and Treeselets are joined by two lighter options – Mini Cheddars Nibblies Cheddar & Smoked Paprika – which contain 30% less fat. Jacob’s Mini Twiglets is also returning with a non-HFSS recipe, which is both 60% lower in salt and high in fibre.Jacob’s Festive Selection (300g £3.25; 450g £4.40; 900g £7) dials up its longstanding baking heritage and expertise. Ready for topping, dipping, or sandwiching – the selection includes big sellers like the signature Cream Cracker.Jacob’s Heritage Tin (£6) taps into the trend towards togetherness with a seasonal sharing selection of crackers – including Jacob’s Cream Crackers and Jacob’s Digestives.Also returning is Carr’s Melts Warm Chilli (£1.69), crisp wheaten biscuits that embody Carr’s signature light, melting texture with a gentle heat.Carr’s Melts Selection Pack (£5) includes a trio of treats, namely Melts Original, Melts Cheese and Warm Chilli, great for the post-dinner cheeseboard.Carr’s Selection (200 £3; 400g £4.50) offers a variety of nine savoury biscuits and crackers.“As always, we’ve focused heavily on offering shoppers quality and choice with our 2022 savoury Christmas range,” said Cassie French, marketing director, Seasonal & Cake.“We’ve no doubt our portfolio of cracker selection boxes – whether family favourites from Jacob’s, or our extra special offerings from Carr’s – will be particularly popular this year. As Brits tuck into cheese boards and gather together with friends and family in larger groups, products which are perfectly placed for sharing will perform well.” The Jacob’s and Carr’s Christmas products are rolling out various UK grocery retailers – including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Amazon and Ocado – as well as discounters.Pizza perfect
Schwan’s Company has launched the Hearth & Fire pizza line: pre-fired frozen pizzas that delivers pizzeria-quality craftmanship.Hearth & Fire begins with a minimum 20 hour-fermented dough (a process that took three years to perfect) that is flame-fired at 1,000°F (537°C) to add crunch and char to the crust. Every pizza is then finished with a selection of artisan toppings and vacuum-packed to ensure the craft quality is preserved from freezer to oven to table.There are four variants in the line: The Margherita (mozz, basil, red sauce and a dash of olive oil); The Pepperoni (pepperoni, mozz, spicy red sauce and a parmesan herb sprinkle); The Bianca (mozz, Fontina, cheddar, goat cheese, asiago, a parmesan garlic cream sauce and oregano); and The Mushroom (gouda, portabella mushrooms, caramelised onions, roasted shiitake and cremini mushrooms, goat cheese, asiago and thyme).Available at Kroger stores and online in select US states for an RRP of $11.99-$12.99.Biscuit perfection
Mason Dixie Foods has recently revamped its e-comm platform so consumers will have easier access to its best-selling baked goods.Demand for its clean label Buttermilk Biscuit Sandwich continues to grow, completely selling out of Whole Foods each week. As such, the brand has made the scratch-made sandwiches available online – with free shipping – so fans won’t miss out.The buttermilk sandwiches are made with real ingredients like nitrate-free sausage and 100% egg, and is available in two options: 8 single-serve sandwiches or 12 sandwiches that come in a 2-pack packaging.Mason Dixie is also offering 15% off the buttermilk sandwiches, which use only real ingredients like nitrate-free sausage and 100% real egg, with code BACKTOSCHOOL.Cereal snacker
General Mills has continued to expand its bestselling cereals into the snacking aisle.Trix Popcorn joins Cinnamon Toast Crunch and Cocoa Puffs in General Mills’ line-up of indulgent popcorns, as a perfectly balanced sweet and salty snack.Featuring a Trix-flavoured fruity glaze, along with bits of the cereal itself, the popcorn offers a nostalgic crunchy bite ideal for any snacking occasion.Trix Popcorn is available at Sam’s Club for an RRP of $6.48 for a 20oz bag, while a 7oz pack will be available at Walmart stores for $3.69 from October.Scotland at its finest
Walker’s is exclusively unveiling its newly curated four-strong Premium Festive Travel Retail Range, decked out in seasonal World of Walker’s livery, at the TFWA World Exhibition and Conference (2-6 October in Cannes, France).The range consists of a 200g Christmas Spiced Shortbread Tube, a 200g Cranberry and Clementine Shortbread Tube, a 460g All Butter Festive Shortbread Assortment Gift Box and a Premium Six Mince Pies Gift Box.Reflecting the brands recent rebrand, the World of Walker’s sports playful illustrations of iconic global landmarks, along with a fresh take on the brand’s Scottish heritage. It has been reimagined for today’s traveller, and highlights its focus across sustainability and digitisation, including the first fully recyclable paper Sharing Bags and Gifting Tubes.“This year has seen several milestones for Walker’s across global travel retail as we continue to celebrate our heritage and expertise,” said MD Nicky Walker.“We remain committed to strengthening the opportunities across premium travel retail and bringing our shortbread to consumers and customers around the world. We are excited to be coming back to Cannes to showcase the ‘World of Walker’s’ and our products to both long established and new customers”. Visitors will be treated to an immersive experience for all the senses with freshly warmed samples, enabling them to taste Scotland at its finest first hand.Four times winner of the Queen’s Award for Export Achievement, Walker’s exports its distinctively packaged luxury shortbreads, biscuits, cakes and oatcakes to over 100 countries worldwide. In 2017, Walker’s Shortbread was granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment from Her Majesty the Queen for the supply of shortbread to the Royal Household, following a similar granting by the Queen and Queen Mother in 2002 for oatcakes.All Walker’s products are free from artificial colours, flavourings and preservatives. They are certified Kosher (OUD) and are suitable for vegetarians.Spook-tacular
This Halloween, Post Consumer Brands is rolling out Limited edition Fruity Pebbles cereal.The cereal will sport the same fruity taste that brand loyalists love, but with a mixture of orange and purple flakes to join in on the fall festivities. The box also features Fred Flintstone and the cereal’s namesake character, Pebbles, dressed in costumes for the holiday.The Limited-Edition Fruity Pebbles cereal will be available at retailers across the US in 10oz packs, along with an 18.5oz pack for die-hard fans.Ready or not…
… limited time RXBar flavours are coming in hot.Chocolate Cinnamon Brownie will be joined by three seasonal favourites – Pumpkin Spice, Gingerbread and Pecan – available until the end of the year.Each is inspired by nostalgia – like the smell of warm pecan pie, cinnamon and spice – but made with wholesome ingredients for a better-for-you treat.The trio also boast the brand’s simple ingredient list – egg whites (punching in 12g of protein), dates (to bind), nuts (texture) and 0g added sugar.“These bars are anything but basic, and we hope each nostalgic flavour helps eliminate any added stress or drama the season might bring along,” said senior associate brand manager Carly Smith.These are accompanied by limited time Chocolate Cinnamon Brownie, packed with whole almonds, chocolate chunks and cinnamon, a nod to homemade brownies straight from the oven.The bars are available online and in selected retail stores across the US for an RRP of $2.79/bar, $9.99/4-pack and $25.99/12-pack. Additionally, new bite-sized RXBar Pumpkin Spice and Chocolate Sea Salt Minis will be available exclusively at Target beginning mid-August.Let’s twist again
Gourmand Pastries is hopping onto the vegan trend, getting into a twist and showcasing all-butter-tasting croissants that are actually made from a butter/marg blend at SIAL Paris 2022 (15-19 October).Vegan is one of the biggest trends of the last few years. That’s not new news, but what is, is that Gourmand Pastries – which specialises in frozen viennoiserie for the B2B sector – is joining the movement. Its vegan viennoiserie range comprises croissants, pains au chocolate, praliné croissants and maple pecan plaits. The range is made from 100% plant-based ingredients, including certified sustainable palm oil (RSPO).Getting into a twist, but doing it in style, the Pretzel Triangle by Gourmand Pastries uses a variety of pastries to create a treat somewhere between a croissant and a pretzel. A crisp start is followed by soft texture and slightly salty tones. This new-fangled vennoiserie is perfect on its own, or as a richly filled sandwich-carrier.Finally, the Belgian bakery manufacturer is showcasing Superblend, a clean label combo of butter and margarine, which flawlessly matches the buttery flavour of a real butter croissant. .
