Get ahead of coverage decisions before the October 15th deadline

For those age 65 and older, Medicare Open Enrollment (October 15–December 7) is one of the most important windows each year to review, update, and optimize your healthcare coverage. While it might seem early, September is the ideal time to start evaluating your current plan, researching options, and preparing for any necessary changes before the fall rush.

At BCA Private Wealth, we help our clients make confident, well-informed decisions about Medicare coverage—ensuring their healthcare plan aligns with their personal and financial goals during retirement.

 

Why Medicare Planning Matters

Health needs evolve, and so do the costs and coverages associated with Medicare plans. Each year, insurance companies make changes to premiums, co-pays, drug formularies, and provider networks. Without proactive planning, you could end up overpaying or lacking key coverage.

This planning window allows you to:

• Reevaluate your current Medicare Advantage or Supplement Plan
• Review changes to your Part D prescription drug plan
• Compare new plans that may better fit your health and budget needs

 

Common Medicare Planning Areas to Review

1. Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage:
   Are you still in the right structure for your needs? Some clients benefit from the added services and cost limits of Medicare Advantage plans, while others prefer the freedom and nationwide coverage of Original Medicare with a Medigap supplement.
2. Part D Prescription Drug Coverage:
   Drug plans change yearly, and so can your medications. Reviewing your Part D plan can prevent surprises at the pharmacy. Check your formulary to ensure your prescriptions are still covered and at what cost.
3. Supplement Plans and Out-of-Pocket Costs:
   If you’ve experienced a major health event or anticipate one, it may be time to switch from one Medigap plan to another with different benefits or premiums.
4. Coordination with Employer or Retiree Benefits:
   If you or your spouse have access to employer-sponsored health benefits, understanding how they integrate with Medicare can help avoid duplication or gaps in coverage.

 

Staying Proactive with Healthcare Planning

A well-planned Medicare strategy is a key piece of your retirement plan. It can protect your income from unexpected medical bills, help manage your long-term healthcare costs, and give you access to the providers you trust.

At BCA Private Wealth, we partner with you to evaluate:

• Your projected healthcare costs in retirement
• Your coverage gaps and potential risks
• How Medicare fits into your broader financial and estate planning strategy

 

Choosing the right Medicare plan isn’t just about healthcare—it’s about protecting your retirement income and lifestyle. If you’re navigating these decisions for the first time or want a second opinion on your current plan, we’re here to help. Contact BCA Private Wealth today to schedule your Medicare planning review.

 

*Dates and eligibility are based on current Medicare guidelines as of 2025 and are subject to change.*

 

 

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Fed Cuts Rates, Flags Caution Amid Mixed Outlook

September 25, 2025 — The U.S. Federal Reserve reduced its benchmark interest rate by 25 basis points, lowering the target range to 4.00%–4.25%. This marks the first cut since December 2024, a move meant to address slowing job growth while inflation remains above target.

 

What Drove the Decision

The Fed’s decision reflects a mix of economic pressures. Recent labor market data shows hiring has slowed, and job openings have softened, raising concerns that prolonged high rates could weaken employment further. At the same time, inflation—while lower than its peak in 2022—remains above the Fed’s 2% goal. Officials cited concerns that global supply disruptions and tariffs could put upward pressure on prices again.

In its official statement, the Fed acknowledged the delicate balance: easing policy too much could reignite inflation, while staying restrictive for too long could undercut job growth and consumer demand. Chair Jerome Powell described the situation as one that offers no “risk-free” solution, reinforcing the Fed’s cautious approach.

 

Internal Divisions & Projections

This decision revealed divisions inside the Fed. Governor Stephen Miran dissented, favoring a larger half-point cut to guard more aggressively against labor market weakness. Other policymakers, however, argued that such a move might send the wrong signal about inflation progress.

Several regional Fed presidents indicated that while additional cuts may be warranted later this year, policy should remain data dependent. The Fed’s updated economic projections show the possibility of up to two further rate reductions in 2025, but officials emphasized that future decisions depend on whether inflation eases consistently and job growth stabilizes. This indicates the difference between those prioritizing immediate labor support and those warning against premature easing.

 

Implications & What to Watch

For Borrowers:

• The most direct impact will be on short-term borrowing costs, such as credit cards, auto loans, and adjustable-rate mortgages.
• Long-term rates, like 30-year fixed mortgages, may not change significantly, since they depend more on bond market trends and investor expectations than the Fed’s short-term rate.

For Savers:

• Yields on savings accounts and CDs may continue to decline, making it harder to generate reliable income from cash holdings.
• Retirees and other people dependent on fixed-income products could face reduced returns if easing persists.

Key Watchpoints Ahead:

• Labor reports will be critical for gauging if job growth is slowing.
• Inflation readings will determine how far the Fed can ease without fueling new price pressures.
• Bond yields and market reactions will show whether long-term borrowing costs remain stable or begin to shift.

 

The Fed’s challenge now is to strike a balance—moving cautiously enough to support job growth without undoing progress against inflation. With short-term rates easing but long-term rates less affected, households and businesses will feel the impact in different ways.

 

 

 

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Copyright © 2025. BCA Private Wealth. All rights reserved.

 

Sources:

1. Federal Reserve — FOMC Statement, September 17, 2025
2. Reuters — “Fed lowers interest rates, signals more cuts ahead; Miran dissents”
3. AP News — “Powell signals Federal Reserve to move slowly on interest rate cuts”
4. Reuters — “Powell repeats no risk-free path as job, inflation risks weighed”

 

Our mailing address is: 

BCA Private Wealth
15 Halton Green Way
Greenville, SC 29607

 

Disclosure:

BCA Private Wealth is a registered investment adviser. The advisory services of BCA Private Wealth are not made available in any jurisdiction in which BCA Private Wealth is not registered or is otherwise exempt from registration.

Please review BCA Private Wealth Disclosure Brochure for a complete explanation of fees. Investing involves risks. Investments are not guaranteed and may lose value.

This material is prepared by BCA Private Wealth for informational purposes only. It is not intended to serve as a substitute for personalized investment advice or as a recommendation or solicitation or any particular security, strategy, or investment product.

No representation is being made that any account will or is likely to achieve future profits or losses similar to those shown. You should not assume that investment decisions we make in the future will be profitable or equal the investment performance of the past. Past performance does not indicate future results.

BCA Private Wealth is a Securities and Exchange Commission-registered investment adviser.