Your Doctor and Benefits Could Be Gone from Medicare Advantage in 2026
If you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan, 2026 could bring some nasty surprises. Even if your plan doesn’t shut down, you could still lose your doctor, hospital, or those perks you’ve come to rely on—like dental, vision, or grocery allowances. That’s because provider...
Does Medicare Cover Home Health Care Services?
If you’re caring for a parent with Alzheimer’s or another chronic illness, you’ve probably wondered: Will Medicare help pay for in-home care?It’s one of the most common — and most misunderstood — questions I hear. The truth is, Medicare can help with some medical home...
5 Red Flags in Your 2026 Medicare ANOC You Can’t Ignore
Your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) shows up in September and spells out what your plan will look like on January 1st. Translation: it tells you whether you’re going to pay more, whether your drugs are changing, and whether your doctor or pharmacy is still in-network....
What Are Medicare Special Enrollment Periods (and How Do They Work)?
If you’ve ever missed an open enrollment deadline or had a major life change, you’ve probably wondered: Can I still change my Medicare coverage outside the regular enrollment period? The short answer — maybe.That’s where Medicare Special Enrollment Periods (SEPs) come...
Medicare Service Area Reductions for 2026 – What You Need to Know
Here’s the deal: millions of people are about to lose their Medicare Advantage plans in 2026. If you’ve already gotten a letter, you know the pit in your stomach. If you haven’t, don’t assume you’re safe — carriers are pulling back, and entire counties are on the...
Medicare Help Lines Are Failing Millions of Enrollees
Most people on Medicare get told the same thing when their plan changes: “Call 1-800-MEDICARE. Visit Medicare.gov. Or talk to your local SHIP office.” Sounds safe and reassuring, right? The problem is those so-called “safety nets” aren’t always reliable. If you’re...
Medicare Plan Finder’s “Provider Search Fix” (2026)
Medicare says it’s finally “fixing” the provider search on medicare.gov —but the roll-out looks partial, outsourced, and light on quality control. Here’s what that memo really means for you, why I’m skeptical, and the steps to protect yourself.Key Takeaways Provider...
Medicare Advantage Plan Termination Letters: Understanding Your Options
Have you gotten a letter saying your Medicare Advantage coverage will be ending? If so, you’re not alone. Many folks will receive a Medicare Advantage termination letter in 2025 alerting them that their plan won’t renew in 2026. Also called a Medicare Advantage...
Turning 65? How to Set Up Medicare (Without Lifetime Penalties)
A Medicare card might arrive automatically… or nothing shows up at all. If you’re not sure which bucket you’re in, it’s dangerously easy to miss your enrollment window and rack up lifetime penalties. This guide walks you through exactly what to check and what to do—...
Decode Your 2026 Medicare ANOC in 5 Steps
Every September, your ANOC shows what’s changing next year. Ignore it and you might wake up in January with higher costs, different drugs, or doctors suddenly out-of-network. This post turns that “junk mail” into your early-warning system. Your ANOC = your roadmap for...
Medicare 2026: The Changes Coming (and How to Protect Yourself)
Medicare isn’t “set it and forget it.” In 2026, plans are shrinking benefits, raising costs, and — in many counties — disappearing altogether. If you wait until October to pay attention, you could end up locked into a plan that doesn’t fit your doctors, budget, or...
Medicare’s Doctor Search Tool Still Broken in 2026
Wondering if you’ll finally be able to search for your doctor on Medicare’s website in 2026? Spoiler alert: probably not—at least not if you're like most people enrolled in a Medicare Advantage HMO. Medicare’s plan to fix its broken provider search tool sounds...
5 Medicare Mistakes to Avoid in 2026 (Especially If You’re Turning 65)
Medicare isn’t “set it and forget it.” A wrong tur, like assuming it’s free, missing a deadline, or trusting a slick ad—can cost thousands and limit your future options. Here are the five mistakes I’ve seen over and over in 20+ years, and how to avoid them so you keep...
Understanding IRMAA (2026): What It Is and How It Affects Your Medicare Premiums
Short version: If your Medicare bill is higher than you expected, you may have been hit with IRMAA — an extra charge on top of your Part B and Part D premiums because of your income. Let’s answer what most people actually care about: Why am I paying more? Will this...
Medicare Advantage Changes in 2026: What You Really Need to Know
There’s a lot of noise out there about Medicare Advantage in 2026. You may have even seen headlines about a “5.06% CMS payment boost.” Honestly? That number matters to insurance companies, not to you. What matters to you is: Will my plan still be available? Will my...
IRMAA Thresholds and What Counts Towards IRMAA
Short version: IRMAA is an income-based surcharge added to your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums. It’s based on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from two years ago—so your 2024 tax return is used for 2026. The higher your income bracket, the larger the...
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