Posts by Jennifer Kean
Having Important Conversations: Talking to Parents about Senior Care this Thanksgiving
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Umbra Health Advocacy! As we gather with loved ones to share gratitude and good food, we also have a unique opportunity. When family comes together, it’s the perfect time to start important conversations about planning for your parents’ senior care as they age. These talks might feel uncomfortable…
Read MoreHow Lifestyle Benefits Help HR Manage Rising Health Care Costs in 2026
Budgets are tight as we head into 2026, especially when it comes to healthcare. Salary increases are projected to stay flat while employers brace for potential jumps in health insurance premiums and growing demand for caregiving and mental health support. HR and benefits teams are under pressure to meet rising needs without expanding their health…
Read MoreThe $100,000 Question: How Will You Pay for Long Term Care Costs?
Many families face a challenging reality when a loved one needs long term care. Most people haven’t saved for this expense, and they’re shocked to discover just how much assisted living or nursing homes cost. Even more surprising? Medicare doesn’t cover long term care. To help our clients better understand their options, we consulted with…
Read MoreMedicare Advantage vs Original Medicare 2026: Which Should You Choose?
Medicare Advantage vs Original Medicare 2026: Which Should You Choose? Are you confused about Medicare? Don’t understand the difference between Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Part A and Part B? You are not alone. Many of our clients and their caregivers come to us for help. Should you choose Original Medicare (Parts A and B)?…
Read MoreMedicare Advantage Plan Canceled for 2026? Get Your Complete Action Plan
You opened your mailbox and found a letter you weren’t expecting. Your insurance company is no longer offering your plan. Your find your Medicare Advantage plan canceled. The plan you relied on won’t be available any more starting January 1, 2026. If this happened to you, you’re not alone. Hundreds of thousands of people are…
Read MoreWhat the 2025 Big Beautiful Bill Means for Medicaid Patients
In July 2025, Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, often called the “Big Beautiful Bill.” It included large Medicaid cuts, the health program that low-income people, children, older adults, and people with disabilities depend on. If you are on Medicaid, or if you help a loved one who has it, the changes could…
Read MoreHealthcare Costs Are Soaring. Is Your State Among the Hardest Hit?
Healthcare costs have been climbing steadily across the United States, but just how steep the increases are depends heavily on where you live. According to recent data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis, the average American saw personal healthcare expenses rise by 20.9 percent over the last five years. In some states, however, the increase…
Read MoreCaregiving Resource Guide for Employers
At some point in their lives, 80% of our workforce will be a caregiver to a loved one. This caregiving resource guide provides information on national caregiving resources as well as information about common resources available locally. We hope this will be helpful to employers and their Human Resources team in thinking about how they…
Read MoreShould You Be Worried About AI in Health Insurance Claim Reviews?
Should You Be Worried About AI in Health Insurance Claim Reviews? Insurance claim reviews are increasingly being done by Artificial Intelligence. While AI can speed up decisions and lower costs, the many people are worried about how it’s being used and whether it’s getting the right results. Insurance Claim Denials Increasing Insurance claim denials…
Read MoreFrom $7,000 to $770: How One Patient Advocate Fought Back Against a Surprise Medical Bill
What seemed like a simple medical procedure quickly turned into a financial nightmare for Tim Winard. A routine colonoscopy—one he thought his insurance would cover—had left him on the hook for a medical bill of more than $7,000. He thought he had done everything by the book: called his insurance beforehand, followed their instructions, and…
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