Orlando’s Local Food Banks

 


Based in Orlando, Florida, Health Plan Markets is a family-owned business run by Justin Jacobs. Through its outreach efforts, Health Plan Markets contributes to local food banks.

There are over 25 food banks in the Orlando area, and at least 10 of them are administered by churches. For instance, the Society of St. Andrew has a Potato and Produce Project that redirects thousands of pounds of unmarketable (but otherwise good) produce and vegetables to food banks, soup kitchens, and more.

Some other nonprofit organizations in the area include the Human Crisis Center, which serves individuals in need and those without permanent housing and focuses its efforts on quick response in times of disaster. Its food pantry is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Salvation Army located on West Colonial Drive also offers a food pantry open from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. Both organizations strongly encourage individuals to call and double-check the hours before visiting.

A listing of Orlando food banks is available online at www.foodpantries.org/ci/fl-orlando.

Selecting the Right Plan for Orlando Medicare Part B

As the principal advisor of Health Plan Markets, Justin Jacobs focuses on enabling benefit advisors to thrive in a competitive marketplace. With operations spanning several states, the Orlando-based firm combines a transparent commission system, with payments defined both by carrier and the policy premium amount. Justin Jacobs and the Health Plan Markets team provide a host of information resources at My Health Plan Markets (www.myhealthplanmarkets.com), including recommendations on Orlando Medicare.

Medicare Part A, which spans coverage for hospital stays and nursing care (excluding physicians’ fees), is automatic and does not involve a monthly premium. It does contain a $1,000 deductible that must be paid in cases where hospitalization is necessary. In addition, patients must pay the 20 percent of hospital costs beyond the deductible, which are not covered by Medicare.

Medicare Part B is within the scope of My Health Plan Markets and involves selecting from a list of providers, which maintain a diversity of deductibles, premiums, and eligibility criteria. Part B covers elements of care such as home treatment, medical equipment, doctor’s visits, and other outpatient services. It can be opted out of, should the individual maintain alternative insurance. 

The Health Plan Markets team offers highly knowledgeable advice on Medicare and how to tailor Plan B coverage in ways optimized to specific health issues and projected needs.

What Are Medicare Advantage Plans?

As principal advisor of Health Plan Markets, Justin Jacobs guides clients through their healthcare insurance options. Coordinating with WellCare, Humana, and CarePlus—proven leaders in the health insurance industry—Health Plan Markets is able to provide its clients with a wide range of products to choose from. Among those products are Medicare Advantage plans.

Medicare Advantage plans are covered by Medicare Part C of the Medicare program. Although Medicare is federally funded, Medicare Part C allows private insurance companies to contract with the government to provide Medicare benefits to those eligible for Medicare. These Medicare Advantage plans must provide members with Part A (hospital care) and Part B (non-hospital medical and preventative care), the same coverage as provided by original Medicare. 

One advantage of Medicare Advantage plans is that they can offer various benefits in addition to those provided by Medicare, and members have the flexibility to create a plan and payment structure that works best for them. In addition to Part D prescription drug coverage, Medicare Advantage plans may offer dental care, vision care, and more, all combined into one comprehensive health plan. Unlike Medicare, Medicare Advantage plans also cap out-of-pocket expenses.

Now Faith Ministries Hosts Call for Change Community Meeting

Founded by Justin Jacobs in 2013, Health Plan Markets in Orlando, Florida offers customers dental, health, and critical-illness health insurance options. Justin Jacobs serves as the firm’s principal advisor. Health Plan Markets remains dedicated to helping those in the community and supports local endeavors such as Now Faith Ministries. The firm assists with outreach services through the church and helps with food banks as well as Medicaid and Medicare education.

Located in Orlando, Now Faith Pentecostal Church of Jesus was founded by Pastor Lonnie J. Crawford and his wife Sharon. They established the church in May 1999 to offer congregants a place to live a life of holiness and to learn how to give their souls to Jesus. It began with only eight members, but after five months they more than tripled the size of their congregation. The church has grown over the years and currently gathers in the Rosemont community in Orlando.

In July 2016, the church sponsored a Call for Change community meeting in response to the traumatic events that occurred the previous month in Orlando. Dr. Katrine Forbes spearheaded the meeting, which encouraged the community to pursue positive solutions in the wake of the nightclub shooting.

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