Only Health Insurance

Dougherty Family News

Phil Dougherty — Thu, 12 Jun 2025 20:08:24 +0000

Dear Clients – it is with great sadness that we announce the passing of my father and Patty’s grandfather, Dan Dougherty. Dad was the founder of our agency (est. in 1980), and we have done our best to continue his legacy and focus on service and education. His wisdom, commitment, and his engagement with clients were qualities among many others that we will remember him for. He made it to his 100^th birthday last month and celebrated with friends and family.

In retirement he documented his WWII experiences methodically and went to great lengths to reconnect with fellow veterans to publish their stories. Last year I was fortunate to join him, and fifty other veterans, on a historic trip to Normandy to commemorate the 80th anniversary of D-Day (see recent Marin IJ article). He was a staunch defender of truth and liberty. Dad will be greatly missed but his long and impactful life was a blessing to us all.

In loving memory, Phil Dougherty & Patty Dougherty

Patty’s Picks: Trending Destinations 2025

Phil Dougherty — Wed, 22 Jan 2025 23:06:19 +0000

A booming year of travel is here!
We’ve curated a list of 5 destinations worth exploring in 2025. We hope these ignite your sense of adventure! Each of these places are natural and cultural wonders, offering unique opportunities to discover a vibrant, new environment.

Highlights: Torres del Paine National Park, in Chile’s Patagonia region, is all about wilderness exploration. In 1978 Torres del Paine was designated a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, and in 2023, it became known as the 8th Natural Wonder of the World. Keep an eye out for Guanacos, rare llama-like animals that are native to the environment! Regional cuisine includes Chilean seafood, Patagonia’s spit roast lamb, and traditional empanadas. Savor stunning views of mountains, glaciers, and lakes as you trek through the heart of Patagonia!

Highlights: The Lofoten archipelago in Norway offers incredible opportunities for viewing Northern Lights. Year-round this destination offers a plethora of outdoor activities, cultural explorations, and culinary delights. Wintertime activities include Christmas markets, ski touring, and traditional ice fishing; summertime favorites in Lofoten include sea kayaking, surfing and snorkeling, and golfing under the midnight sun. A famous Norwegian fjord, Trollfjorden, is accessible by boat from the island. Learn about Norwegian history and the Viking Age at the Lofotr Viking Museum. Lots to explore on this picturesque archipelago!

Highlights: For loungers and explorers alike! This mountainous city, founded in 1296, has retained its original kingdom walls and moats which mark the “Old City” area. Explore Old City by bike, tuk-tuk or on foot. Visit the beautiful Wat Phra That Doi golden temple, bathe elephants at an ethical sanctuary, take cooking classes, and hike around waterfalls. Afterwards, unwind with a Thai massage. Make sure to explore the night bazaars, where you can try delicious Thai street foods such as satay skewers, mango sticky rice, and green papaya salads. This vibrant city full of natural and cultural wonder is a must-see!

Highlights: The main attraction is the National Park of American Samoa! Lush tropical rainforests and pristine coral reefs make this one of the most unique U.S. National Parks. Enjoy incredible views while hiking and marvel at the abundant marine life while snorkeling or fishing. Savor traditional Samoan food and learn about the history and culture of the island at the Jean P Haydon Museum. Set aside time to relax at immaculate white sand beaches. The scenery, culture, wildlife, and exploration make this destination unforgettable.

Highlights: Namibia means “vast place” for good reason. There are many incredible landmarks in this country along the coast and on wildlife safaris, but the most iconic destination is the Sossusvlei region in the Namib Desert. This desert is believed to be the world’s oldest at an estimated 55 million years young. The two most famous dunes are Dune 45 and Big Daddy Dune. Drift over the dunes in a hot air balloon or ride a quad bike while looking over the expansive and serene landscape. Make time for world class stargazing to admire the Milky Way and enjoy a braai (barbeque) during a desert sunset!

Happy Travels!

The Annual Open Enrollment Period – Not For Changing Your Medicare Supplement (MediGap)

Phil Dougherty — Fri, 20 Sep 2024 02:39:20 +0000

With the addition of new Medicare programs and products over the years CMS has created specific enrollment periods for people to make plan changes. The most notable is the AEP (Annual Enrollment Period and it runs from October 15 through December 7. What you can do during this period is often misunderstood. The AEP is not the designated time for changing Medicare Supplement (MediGap) plans. The following are the actions you can take during this time period:

Switch to a new Medicare Part D drug plan for the next calendar year.
Enroll in a Medicare Part D drug plan for the first time
Cancel a Medicare Part D drug plan
Change a Part C Medicare Advantage plan for the next calendar year
Switch from Original Medicare to a Part C Medicare Advantage plan

Medicare Supplements are NOT Medicare Advantage plans nor are they a part of Medicare. Medicare Supplements are private policies that are designed to coordinate with Medicare to fill-in its gaps (deductibles and co-insurance).

Medicare Supplements can also be changed annually but during what’s called the Birthday Rule period. It is a minimum 60-day period that starts on your birthday. During this time, you can change to another carrier’s Medicare Supplement – on a guaranteed basis – that is valued to be equal to or less than your current policy (for example, Plan F to Plan G or Plan G to Plan G). If your birthday coincidentally falls during the AEP, then you can make a change in Medicare Supplements.

NOTE: You can actually “apply” for another carrier’s Medicare Supplement at any time, but if it is outside this Birthday Rule period or other Qualifying Event, your application is subject to medical underwriting and could be denied.

If you have any questions about the Annual Enrollment Period, the changes you can make or any related subject, don’t hesitate to send me an email. Also, don’t hesitate to reach out to me nearer to your birthday to see if a change in your Medicare Supplement is worth considering. Happy to share rates and information of competing plans.

All the best during this AEP & Holiday Season!

Phil Dougherty

OnlyHealthInsurance

Big Changes Coming To Medicare Part D in 2025

Phil Dougherty — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 22:16:27 +0000

The Annual Open Enrollment Period is fast approaching (Oct 15- Dec 7) and new rule changes from the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act will kick in which will dramatically affect how much participants pay for their medications. (Note: It is still unclear how some of these changes will be implemented. We will be sending you more information as it becomes available).

Here are the important changes you need to be aware of:

Medicare will eliminate the Coverage Gap (Donut Hole). This was the level that when reached typically resulted in higher drug costs.

New $2,000 out-of-pocket maximum for all covered medications. A big change for Part D enrollees will be the $2,000 out-of-pocket maximum per year for medications. Once you have spent $2,000 in drug costs for covered medications, you are done for the year.*

New Medication payment plan option. A new payment plan option will allow you to pay for medications over the course of the year in the form of a payment plan instead of up front. The new “opt-in only” plan allows someone to spread the payments out for the remainder of the months in the year.

With these rule changes that could significantly shift costs to Part D drug plans there are concerns that premiums will increase dramatically. To curb this fear, CMS created a voluntarily premium-stabilization plan that will subsidize drug plans who participate. We will learn very soon how well this will curb rate increases.

IMPORTANT!! You will receive an Annual Notice of Change from your Medicare Part D drug plan very soon. It will inform you of changes in your drug plan for 2025. This will include changes in plan premiums, deductibles and co-pays, and whether the plan will even be offered next year. It will also share whether your prescriptions will be covered and, if so, how much your share of costs will be. It is very important to read this notice thoroughly.

More to come!

Phil Dougherty, OnlyHealthInsurance

* This cap does not apply to out-of-pocket spending on Part B drugs. Medicare Part B covers drugs that are administered by a doctor, nurse, or other healthcare provider in an outpatient setting such as a doctor’s office.

Travel Insurance for Upcoming Trips Abroad

Phil Dougherty — Fri, 19 Apr 2024 00:18:37 +0000

I’m back from my service trip to rural Mexico with Rotary! It was a productive trip and thankfully uneventful from a medical emergency and evacuation perspective. But if something had come up, my GeoBlue Trekker insurance policy would’ve covered it. And that’s why we buy insurance, isn’t it … for the peace of mind it provides. Tip: I had downloaded GeoBlue’s smartphone app beforehand which gave me easy access to my policy details and helpful tools and resources while traveling for added security.

This summer is predicted to be one of the busiest travel seasons ever. While you make your international travel arrangements, don’t forget to include travel medical insurance in your planning.

Alert! Original Medicare (Part A + Part B) does not provide coverage abroad and Medicare Supplements offer a small benefit which we believe to be insufficient.

These days more than ever “peace of mind” while traveling is invaluable. Let us help you arrange it with travel insurance. For more information and a quote, email my daughter Patty at patriciad@dhis.com.

Volcán de Colima, April 2024

Travel Insurance: When to Purchase It

Phil Dougherty — Mon, 29 Jan 2024 22:26:39 +0000

When people are looking for insurance coverage abroad, they are typically interested in one of two types of insurance: Travel Medical insurance – primarily intended to cover medical expenses and evacuations while traveling abroad- or, Trip Insurance which reimburses non-refundable, unused payments and deposits made towards a trip when it is interrupted or cancelled for a covered reason.

Our recommendation on when to purchase insurance is different for each type due to their distinct benefits.

Travel Medical Insurance

Our Recommendation: purchase this insurance after buying plane tickets while it is fresh on your mind, or once your travel plans are firm.

If the trip is cancelled, postponed or travel dates are changed, many insurance carriers will provide a full refund, or insurance can be adjusted to coincide with new travel dates….provided requests are made prior to the original effective date of insurance.

This insurance must be purchased at least 24 hours before departure of your international trip.

Once a traveler is abroad there are fewer plan options available to purchase travel medical insurance and may include more restrictions. Pre-existing conditions may or may not be covered and it is important to read the policy details for these restrictions and limitations.

Trip Insurance

Our Recommendation: First, you’ll want to have a good grasp of your total non-refundable trip costs (airfare, accommodations, packaged tours, cruises, etc.). Then, it’s best to begin coverage as soon as possible after making the first trip deposit. Waiting to purchase coverage can result in additional restrictions and financial exposure. Typically, this insurance can be purchased up to 12 months in advance of your trip.

To qualify for the most comprehensive and broader, “Cancel For Any Reason” benefit, and/or to have pre-existing conditions covered, you have a limited amount of time to buy a plan after you’ve made a deposit towards your trip (within 14 days with many carriers). The clock starts ticking once you’ve made your first trip deposit so we recommend evaluating insurance premiums before making deposits so you can factor in these costs and then purchase a plan immediately thereafter.

Patty’s Picks: Trending Destinations 2024

Phil Dougherty — Mon, 08 Jan 2024 23:10:56 +0000

2024…predicted to be a record-breaking travel year!
Here is my top 5 list of trending cities around the world.

Highlights: It’s the wine capital of Australia! Beyond the nearby wine country, Adelaide features stunning beaches, botanical gardens, seasonal events/festivals, an Aboriginal art museum, and a booming restaurant & bar scene.

Highlights: Lots to explore here! Limestone caves, delicious street food, marble mountains, gorgeous overlooks, flower gardens, and wellness spas & resorts. And, oh yes, the bridges (Dragon Bridge, Han River Bridge, and of course, the Golden Bridge).

Highlights: For loungers and explorers alike! Walk Old Town, explore the San Felipe Castle, relax at the beach, island hop the Rosario Islands, and experience a mud volcano. Not to mention the fruit markets, fresh seafood, and award-winning espresso!

Highlights: Commonly referred to as ‘Spice Island’. Attractions include tours of spice plantations, local bazaars and food markets, tropical beaches, snorkeling & scuba diving, and giant tortoises. While there, learn about the island’s rich multicultural history.

Highlights: Lots to explore in scenic Porto! The cobbled streets of La Ribeira, fabulous markets and cafes, murals and street art, bookstores, and epic sunsets. Plus day trips to wine tours in Duoro Valley!

What is Medical Evacuation Insurance and Why Do I Need Coverage for it When Traveling?

Phil Dougherty — Thu, 26 Oct 2023 21:54:59 +0000

In 2020, I attended a webinar about medical evacuations and heard an evacuation story from an air ambulance representative. It was about a volunteer English teacher in Afghanistan who was in critical condition with an unknown diagnosis. Within hours of the emergency call, they had a medically outfitted helicopter with a dedicated care team ready to evacuate the patient from Afghanistan to Dubai for appropriate diagnosis and treatment. The preparation and coordination needed to arrange an evacuation like this is impressive and the need for this coverage became very apparent.

I wanted to share some basics about Medical Evacuation Insurance and the coverage for it.

Emergency Medical Evacuation is transportation from the place of injury or illness to the nearest licensed medical facility that can provide the appropriate treatment. This transportation may also be from one local hospital to another more qualified facility if the treatment or surgery required is not available locally. It can be ground transportation across cities or as intense as an air ambulance to another country.

Note: The emergency medical evacuation will transport a patient to the nearest facility that can provide appropriate care (not necessarily back to one’s home country).

Medical Repatriation

Following the medical evacuation, the attending physician and insurance company work together to determine the next steps and discharge process once the patient is stable. Medical repatriation is the transportation of the insured back to their home country and back to an appropriate medical facility nearer to one’s residence, if needed. This transportation can be an economy ticket on a commercial flight or an air ambulance with a team to medically supervise (depending on the medical needs).

Insurance Coverage

Most Travel Medical Insurance policies include a medical evacuation benefit, medical repatriation, and assistance services. Policy representatives will work with the patients’ treating physician team to coordinate necessary transportation and ensure appropriate care enroute through their credible evacuation partners.

Without insurance, this can easily run five or even six figures. Emergency transportation can often be the most expensive part of one’s medical costs. We recommend an evacuation benefit of at least $250,000.

What I learned in that webinar opened my eyes to the need for medical evacuation coverage and the value of assistance services that travel medical insurance provides. This aligns with our mission at OnlyHealthInsurance to protect our clients from unforeseen catastrophes by offering quality insurance plans with comprehensive benefits.

Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions. Email: patriciad@dhis.com

National Celebrations Around the World

Phil Dougherty — Fri, 13 Oct 2023 16:00:59 +0000

One of the most exciting things about traveling internationally is the opportunity to be totally immersed in a different culture, providing phenomenal opportunities to be inspired and enlightened. And, if you are fortunate enough to be present during a holiday, religious celebration, or national event, you may get a richer understanding of a country’s history, values, and customs.

When I was living with a family in Northern India during the Diwali holiday, my memories of celebrating the ‘Festival of Lights’ were a highlight. For five nights, we set off fireworks, sky lanterns, and sparklers with friends and neighbors. Absolutely unforgettable!

Although holidays and religious celebrations like Diwali can be exciting, if unprepared, they may sabotage a well-thought-out itinerary. Many national holidays result in closed stores and restaurants, and cancelled tours. They may also impact the cost of flights, accommodations, transportation, etc.

For some individuals, national holidays and celebrations are the reason for their travel, while others go with different vacation plans in mind, or for business reasons. Regardless, being aware of national celebrations while planning a trip is important.

Here are some popular holidays, events, and dates to plan your trip around.

(Jan – Dec):

Fiesta de Palmares

Palmares, Costa Rica

Dates: January (dates change annually)

For two weeks, the small town of Palmares throws one of the biggest and highly anticipated parties of the year that’s attended by more than one million Costa Ricans and international visitors. The festival features concerts, comedy, football, parades, beer, and fireworks. In terms of beer consumption, it’s second only to the famous Oktoberfest (according to Maximo Nivel)

Quebec Winter Carnival

Quebec City, Canada

Dates: End of January to Mid February (dates vary annually)

Quebec City is home to one of the world’s largest winter festivals, known for honoring longtime mid-winter traditions. Sprawled across the city and attracting one million visitors and tourists annually, the Carnival features an ice palace, sleigh rides, ice sculptures, toboggan rides, ice canoe races, lots of maple syrup, and other carnival food & drinks.

Chinese New Year

Beijing, China

Dates: Late January to Mid February (dates vary annually)

Lunar New Year is a global celebration and a time to visit family, honor ancestry, and share wishes for good luck and happiness in the new year. Festivities include dancing, parades, martial arts, traditional foods, and fireworks. Some international cities with the biggest parades and festivities are: Beijing, London, Vancouver, Hong Kong, San Francisco, Helsinki, Sydney, Paris, and Singapore.

Carnaval

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Dates: Begins the Friday preceding Ash Wednesday (mid to late February)

The biggest Carnival celebration in the world, attracting two million people per day, takes place in Rio de Janeiro. Samba parades, floats, and nightly themed balls create an explosion of spectacular dance, music, and culture. However, Rio isn’t the only place with Carnival celebrations. Canary Islands, Spain; Oruro, Bolivia; Binche, Belgium; Venice, Italy; and Trinidad and Tobago also host spirited parties and parades.

Joining the Carnaval parade in El Tambo, Ecuador

Sakura Festivals

Tokyo, Japan

Dates: Late March to early April

The Sakura, or cherry blossom, festivals are a time when locals and visitors celebrate the blooming season. During this special time of Hanami (cherry blossom viewing), thousands of people head to the parks for parties and picnics. Festivals take place all throughout Japan, but some of the biggest celebrations are at Ueno Park in Tokyo and Maruyama Park in Kyoto.

Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo from my sister’s trip this April 2023

La Tomatina

Valencia, Spain

Dates: Last Wednesday of August

Just outside Valencia, the small town of Bunol is home to this massive food festival, where hundreds of thousands of people come to throw tomatoes at friends and strangers. For one hour it’s pure chaos and exhilaration! The festivities include tomato-themed fireworks, parades, live music, and the tradition of climbing a greased pole.

Oktoberfest

Munich, Germany

Dates: Mid-September to early October (dates vary annually)

The original Oktoberfest in 1810 was a horse race to celebrate a royal wedding. Now, this 17-day festival brings 6 million visitors to its fairgrounds in Munich, Germany for food, music, games, and beer. On the first Sunday of Oktoberfest, thousands line the street for a historic parade in which decorated horses, marching bands, and locals in traditional costumes march to the festival grounds.

Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead)

Mexico City, Mexico

Dates: October 31^st to November 2^nd

A three-day holiday where families create ofrendas (offerings) to honor departed family members that have passed. Altars are decorated with flowers, pictures, and favorite foods and drinks to celebrate the death and life of loved ones. Mexico City hosts the biggest Dia de los Muertos parade, with over 2 million locals and tourists celebrating.

Diwali

India

Dates: Falls between October and November

Diwali is the Hindu festival of lights, celebrated with five nights of fireworks, rangoli decorations (art patterns on the floor), lanterns, and candles. The fireworks and candles used throughout the Diwali festival symbolize the ultimate victory of light (goodness) over darkness (evil).

Lighting candles around the rangoli with my host family in Palampur, India

Yi Peng Lantern Festival

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Dates: Usually falls in November (dates change annually to align with Thai Lunar calendar)

Celebrated on a full moon, this festival traces back to the 13^th century to mark the end of monsoon season and the start of the cool season. The highlight of this holiday is the massive release of paper lanterns into the night sky, symbolizing the release of sorrow and the hope for good luck in the coming year.

Hogmanay

Edinburgh, Scotland

Dates: December 31^st

Live music, fireworks, torchlight processions, a fireball parade, and festive foods and drinks create the Yule festival known as Hogmanay. As the clock strikes midnight, hordes of people across Scotland begin singing the Auld Lang Syne song, written in 1788, to welcome in the New Year. It’s a special cultural celebration dating back to the 8^th century.

If you travel to a country during one of these celebrations, please share your experience with us!

Email: patriciad@dhis.com

Travel Document Security Abroad

Phil Dougherty — Tue, 26 Sep 2023 21:22:20 +0000

Is there anything that can cause more travel anxiety than…where’s my passport?!

At OnlyHealthInsurance, we want your travels to be as safe and enjoyable as possible. Safety and Security abroad is an immense topic and one we believe to be a layered proposition. Travel medical insurance is one of those layers. Another layer is identification and travel document security. As my dad and I were discussing the latter, we realized we had different opinions about the basics of security and felt a blog on the subject was warranted.

To Pouch or not to Pouch…

In my dad’s travels – whether he was in Cambodia or downtown Paris – he wore a money pouch around his neck and hidden under his shirt containing his passport, maps, credit cards, cash, and travel documents. I, on the other hand, see that as flashy and a security risk—and a nagging reminder of all the valuables I’m carrying with me. Personally, I’m comfortable with the hotel safe with a strong code (not 1234). In our research, travel experts are split on which approach they recommend. Thankfully neither of us have had security issues while traveling. We recognized that our decisions about security were in many ways influenced by our personal attributes and “style” of travel.

Personal Attributes & Style

Gender, age, and habits influence our travel behavior and decisions about personal security. As a young woman, the idea of carrying all my valuables and “identity” around my neck is daunting… and actually terrifying. Less risky to me is trusting the hotel staff and room safe. That said, I’ve never left my passport and other identification behind in a hostel or tent. My dad (being middle-aged) pointed out that his need for an “all-in-one” solution for carrying valuables has less to do with trusting others and more to do with his need to “always be prepared” (courtesy of his Boy Scout training). Perhaps knowing oneself is the most helpful in making the best decision for you and maintaining confidence and peace of mind.

Other factors that influence our behavior towards travel security:

Does our destination country encourage (or require) us to always carry identification?
*Do we know locals?
How often we will be taking public transportation?
What is the level of street crime?
Is this rural or urban travel?
Level of activities in destination country (ziplining, ocean activities, etc)

*Locals can tell you about tourist traps, schemes and provide recommendations.

Copies…Copies…Copies

In addition, we both agree (and many experts advise) there are some security tips that do make sense for every traveler. Almost universally it is encouraged to make and keep a passport copy in a carry-on or hidden in luggage. We also recommend bringing a copy of your travel insurance documents and giving a copy to a trusted someone at home and a fellow travel companion.

When planning your travels, consider the factors above (and your own self-awareness) to decide how best to travel with security and confidence.

If this blog sparked a memory or comment, please share with us. Email: info@onlyhealthinsurance.com