Craig-Howard Insurance

Graduation season is a milestone—not just for your child, but for you, too. 🎓

After years of busy schedules and daily routines as a family, the house can suddenly feel very quiet. Becoming an empty nester brings a mix of emotions: pride, excitement, uncertainty… and a real sense of loss. All of that is completely normal.

But this transition isn’t just an ending, it’s also a beginning. It’s a chance to reconnect with yourself, strengthen relationships, and explore goals that may have taken a back seat over the years. At the same time, your role as a parent evolves, from guiding every step to becoming a steady source of support (and hopefully wisdom) as your child navigates their own path.

This season of life holds new opportunities for growth, connection, and purpose… for both of you. Good luck!

➡️Do you have a child heading off to college, a new job, another big adventure? Please share your story. We’d love to hear about it!

Medicare & CBD: What’s Real vs. What’s Still Unclear

You may be hearing that Medicare is now covering CBD, but the reality is far more nuanced.

Here’s what we know:
✔ A very limited Medicare pilot program launched in April 2026
✔ It allows certain providers to offer some very limited types of hemp-derived CBD products to eligible patients, if they are aligned to a program authorized by CMS to provide the limited CBD benefit
✔ Coverage is very limited—not all beneficiaries qualify
✔ You can’t purchase CBD on your own and get reimbursed

What’s still up in the air:
❓ Who will actually have access (depends on participating providers)
❓ How widely the program will expand
❓ Ongoing legal and regulatory challenges
❓ Whether this could lead to broader Medicare coverage in the future

This is an early-stage pilot and research program, not a standard Medicare benefit. While it’s a step toward exploring CBD in healthcare, access remains limited and the future is still uncertain.

Want to know if you can participate? Start by talking to your doctor or healthcare plan provider—they’re the gatekeepers for this pilot. If they’re not involved, the program likely isn’t accessible to you (at least for now).

Most people think life insurance rates come down to age and smoking, but that’s only part of the story.

Insurers are really looking at patterns: your health, habits, and overall lifestyle. They look at factors like medical history, lifestyle habits, mobility issues, driving record, dangerous hobbies, and even occupational risk.

The surprising part? Many of these factors may have limited impact on their own, but together they shape how insurers view your long-term health and stability.

✅The good news: Many of the biggest factors are within your control. In addition, different insurers weigh risk factors differently.

❓Want to understand what may be affecting your rates? Let’s talk and find an insurance option that is right for you.

Still using the same info from when you enrolled in your ACA plan?

That could cost you.💰

If you have an ACA Marketplace plan, updating your income and household info isn’t just a formality. It can impact what you pay every month and at tax time.

✔ Got a raise? You could owe money back later if it’s not updated
✔ Income dropped? You might qualify for more savings
✔ New baby, marriage, or move? Your healthcare options may need to change, and you could qualify for a special enrollment period

Keeping your ACA Marketplace information up to date is important. It helps you avoid surprises and make sure you’re getting the right coverage at the right price.

Have questions on what needs to be updated or how to update your Marketplace profile? We are here to help!