Medicare Advantage Plans Are Ending in 2026 for Millions: Here’s What to Do

by Matt Feret | Aug 20, 2025 | Medicare Advantage, Medicare Advice, Service Area Reductions

In 2026, millions of people enrolled in Medicare Advantage will lose their current plan. Why? Because of something called a Medicare Service Area Reduction (SAR). That’s the technical term. What it really means for you is simple: your insurance company has decided...

Medicare Star Ratings: What They Really Mean for You

by Matt Feret | Aug 12, 2025 | Medicare Advantage, Medicare Advice, Medicare Part D

Every fall, people shopping for Medicare Advantage or Part D drug plans run into the “Medicare Star Rating” system. It looks simple — one to five stars, just like Amazon reviews. But here’s the real question: Do these stars actually help you figure out which plan is...

Medicare Advantage MOOP: What to Watch for in 2026

by Matt Feret | Aug 10, 2025 | Medicare Advantage, Medicare Advice

If you’re on Medicare Advantage, you’ve probably seen the term Maximum Out-of-Pocket (MOOP).But do you know how high it can go in 2026 — and what that means for your wallet? Let’s break it down in plain English. What is a MOOP (and why does it matter)? Every Medicare...

IRMAA Appeals (SSA-44): How to Lower Your Medicare Premiums in 2026

by Matt Feret | Aug 7, 2025 | Medicare Advice, Original Medicare

Short version: If your Medicare bill jumped because of IRMAA but your income has dropped, you may be able to appeal and pay less. The appeal runs through Social Security using Form SSA-44. Below is the plain-English, step-by-step. If you’re new to IRMAA and want the...

Does Medicare Call You at Home? (2026 Guide to Real vs. Scam Calls)

by Matt Feret | Aug 4, 2025 | Medicare Advice

Short version: Most calls claiming to be “Medicare” are junk. But does Medicare call you at home ever? Sometimes—in limited situations, usually after you’ve contacted them or when a contractor is following up on something you already received in the mail. Everything...

Medicare and COBRA – What You Need to Know Before Making a Costly Mistake

by Matt Feret | Aug 1, 2025 | Medicare Advice

Will COBRA Cover You After 65? If you’re retiring or just lost your job, you may be offered COBRA coverage. Sounds good, right? A little safety net before figuring out your next step. But here’s the catch: once you’re Medicare-eligible, COBRA doesn’t work the way you...