Living with diabetes can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. Join us for “Diabetes: Crack the Code,” a powerful 45-minute presentation designed to simplify diabetes management using real-life insights gathered from over three years of expert speakers and shared experiences.
Hosted by Heather Majka of Citizens Insurance Solutions and peer leader Laney (former RN), this session brings together practical strategies for managing blood sugar, improving nutrition, increasing energy through movement, and building sustainable daily habits. This is not medical advice—it’s real-world guidance designed to help you better understand your body and feel more in control of your health.
What You’ll Learn:

• How blood sugar works and why your numbers matter
• The difference between simple and complex carbohydrates
• Easy ways to stabilize glucose through food and movement
• The impact of sleep, stress, and hydration on diabetes
• How tools like CGMs and medications support daily management
• Practical tips that actually work in everyday life

You’ll also discover the value of joining a local diabetes support group—where education, encouragement, and community come together to help you stay consistent and confident.
Whether you are newly diagnosed, managing Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, or supporting a loved one, this event will leave you with clarity, direction, and hope.
Join us and take the next step in understanding diabetes—together.
Citizens Insurance Solutions | Tellico Village, TN

Here is some important information and WISDOM!  Never EVER just pay a doctor bill without doing some due diligence. Doctors often will send patients a bill just because they didn't do your insurance or the insurance didn't pay. Do not be fooled before you consider paying a doctor bill. You should verify the following:

• What was the date of service?
• What service was rendered?
• Did they send the claim to your correct insurance company?
• Have you received or verified with the insurance company that the claim (bill you received) received?
• Have you matched the bill with your insurance companies explanation of benefits?

 You should feel confident about paying the medical bill once you've taken the appropriate steps.

• If ANY of the above is unclear to you or uncertain, you should contact the BILLING office directly for clarification. You may also request an itemized bill/statement. You should have this information prior to contacting your insurance company with questions.

WISDOM ~ All explanation of benefits* or processed claims can be viewed on your insurance companies website if you have created your online account (or on Medicare.gov - for those on original Medicare + a Medicare Supplement/Medigap plan).
​         *An explanation of benefits (or Medicare Summary Notice) is NOT a bill. This is telling you what they received from your medical provider and what they have to pay, what they will or will not pay and what you may owe if another payor does not owe it. See HOW To READ and UNDERSTAND a summary of benefits here.

In 2024, Medicare improves to give you greater access to health treatments.
 
These are some of the changes you may encounter next year, one of the most important is that the %5 coinsurance for Part D catastrophic coverage will be eliminated, there will also be a new limit of $8,000 on Part costs D among other benefits.
 
Good news!
 
The inflation reduction law is causing drug costs to drop and LIS 2024 (LIS Low Income Subsidy Program) increases its coverage for 300,000 people as well as eliminating the partial LIS program and expanding the full LIS program.
 
Another benefit is $0 for Part D premiums and deductibles if they are between 135% and 150% of the federal poverty limit.
 
During 2024 you will not pay a deductible for hospital coverage during the first 20 days of each benefit period, and an increase in the base Medicare PART B premium will also be projected.
 
In 2024, Part B premiums are projected to increase approximately $10/month compared to 2023.
 
The Deductible Phase will be eliminated. Now, your Part D plan will pay for your medications right away; your “orange phase” in the chart costs you $0.
 
Catastrophic Coverage will also be eliminated in 2024 and you will no longer pay 5% of the cost of medications.
 
For next year there will be a $9.80 increase in the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees. By 2024, the standard premium for immunosuppressive medications will be $103.00.
 
The Medicare Part A inpatient hospital deductible that beneficiaries pay if they are admitted to the hospital will increase by $32 from 2023.
 
In 2024, beneficiaries must pay a coinsurance amount slightly higher than in 2023 during the hospital stay and for lifetime reserve days. Beneficiaries in skilled nursing facilities will also see a slight increase in daily coinsurance for extended care services in a benefit period.
 
The hospital deductible for inpatients will increase by $32 in 2024 and the daily hospital coinsurance between days 61 and 90 will increase by $8, likewise the daily hospital coinsurance between days 61 and 90 will increase by $16 and a daily skilled nursing facility Coinsurance between days 21 and 100 will increase by $4.
 

The history of dentistry dates back to the 1630s, but it wasn't until the 1840s that dental school was introduced. Therefore, for 210 years, the person you were referred to as your barber was also your dentist. As a result of their lack of training and inadequate equipment, they caused more harm than good. The only treatment provided at the beginning of dentistry was extraction of the tooth, which was then followed by infection. The dentists did not realize that there could be a lot more done than just pulling out teeth. There has been an evolution not only in dental care but also in dentists themselves. Dentists all over are changing peoples lives.

​In 2022, we currently have six main different specialties of dentistry; orthodontist, endodontist, oral surgeon, pedodontist, periodontist.

​After two years of working in the dental field, serving active duty soldiers, I have realized that many people are unable to receive dental care due to high dental insurance costs or the fact that they were not taught how to brush and floss their teeth as children. This can result in trauma for the person, and after they become adults, they have little interest in maintaining their oral health. Consequently, people develop periodontal disease and cavities, which are the two most prevalent dental diseases. In the case of front teeth that are visible when smiling, these diseases can eventually lead to extractions. In this case, the missing tooth will have to be replaced with an implant so an artificial tooth can be used in its place. Depending on the complexity of the process, it can cost up to $3,000 per person. Dental work can be extremely expensive, as shown in that example, as expensive as it is it really can be life changing to have a brand new smile.

We at Citizens Solutions Insurance want you to have the best dental plan possible and we want you to have your life changing smile, so in the event of something like that we will have you covered. To suit your needs, we offer a wide variety of options.

What is COLA and why is it important?
The cost of living adjustment, or COLA, is a social security benefit that fluctuates with inflation. It ensures that retirees can live comfortably instead of living paycheck to paycheck. 

The big changes in 2023.
A visit to the grocery store in the last 6 months will reveal a large increase in the cost of basic groceries like bread, milk, rice, and butter. With a 6.3% inflation rate in 2022, that is the highest it has ever been in over a century. Due to this, COLA benefits are the highest they've ever been, increasing by 8.7%. 

If you are interested in learning more about your social security benefits, you can also contact us!

It's never too early to start thinking about health insurance in 2023. Open enrollment for health insurance starts November 1st 2023 until January 15th 2023, so now is the time to talk to the Citizens Insurance Solutions team about any and all questions related to health insurance. 
You can get your health insurance needs met with Citizens Insurance no matter your age or location! Due to the tens of thousands of Americans of all ages she has helped with their health insurance needs, Citizens Insurance CEO Heather Majka is an elite member of the insurance business. 

Pickleball is a sport that is gaining popularity every day. The sport has many health benefits, such as improved cholesterol, blood pressure, and cardiovascular health. Being fit is one of the keys to living a long life, which is why Citizens Insurance Solutions sponsors this sport in their local community. In addition to providing health benefits, pickleball brings people together in our community and fosters a sense of community. It offers mental and physical benefits to individuals. 

A Cup of Hope event took place on October 25th, which coincided with domestic violence awareness month. Salvation Army Knoxville organizes the Cup of Hope in order to raise funds for the Joy D. Baker center. Women who are victims of domestic violence can seek safety and shelter at the Joy D. Baker center in order to help start a new life. Although the event has already passed, you can still donate or find out more about this organization by visiting the Knoxville Salvation Army website.

 Donate to the salvation army or learn more by going to: