Podcasts about part d

The price you pay at the pharmacy isn't just about the drug—it's about the plan, the pharmacy network, and the rules hidden in the fine print. We break down a simple, repeatable method to shop Medicare Part D so you protect access to your doctors and treatment while cutting real costs. With Medicare's new $2,000 out-of-pocket cap, the math changes: premiums and pharmacy choice now drive your savings more than fear of runaway brand-name bills.We walk through Medicare.gov step by step—creating your account, reviewing your medication history, and adding every pharmacy you actually use, from your local favorite to the chain near your vacation home. You'll learn how to identify preferred pharmacies, interpret plan deductibles that often bypass generics, and compare total annual cost, not just the monthly premium. Along the way, we share client stories that show how zero-premium plans can deliver $0 copays on key generics and how pairing Part D with Mark Cuban's Cost Plus Drugs can slash prices on certain fills without sacrificing convenience.If you rely on insulin or name-brand medications, you'll hear how to prioritize plans that price your specific drugs best, why star ratings matter for service and fewer headaches, and the easiest way to enroll online. We also cover pro moves like setting premiums to auto-deduct from Social Security to avoid missed payments and ensuring your new card is on file before January 1 so refills don't stall. It's a clear, calm guide for you and the loved ones you help—because the right plan isn't the cheapest on paper, it's the one that fits your real life.If this helped, follow the show, share it with someone who needs it, and leave a quick review to help others find practical Medicare guidance. Envision Financial Planning. 5100 Poplar Avenue, Suite 2428, Memphis, TN 38137. (901) 422-7526. This communication is strictly intended for individuals residing in the United States. Advisory Services offered through Envision Financial Planning, a Registered Investment Adviser.

Medicare Part B premium costs can jump because of IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) when your MAGI crosses key thresholds—especially for federal retirees with pensions, Social Security, and RMDs. Learn how timing, Roth conversions, and TRICARE for Life choices can influence your Medicare Part B and Part D costs without panic or fear-mongering.IRMAA isn't a penalty—it's a higher Medicare Part B and D premium triggered by income. With smart tax planning, you can navigate the thresholds instead of getting surprised.

Three-quarters of Medicare beneficiaries say choosing a Medicare plan is confusing, and nearly 7 in 10 (69%) Medicare beneficiaries have not compared their own source of Medicare coverage with other Medicare options offered in their area during past open enrollment periods, according to surveys. These actions can cost you money and limit your medication coverage and pharmacy access. In this episode of Friends Talk Money, we unpack what you need to know about Open Enrollment and your plan options, diving into the pros and cons of Original Medicare plus a supplement and Part D plan versus Medicare Advantage. We explain what's different this year, including the inconsistency around premiums and the discontinuation of Anthem standalone Part D plans. Our special guest is Diane Omdahl, a nationally recognized expert in Medicare. She's the creator of 65incorporated.com, which guides seniors in their Medicare choices, and author of the bestselling book, Medicare For You. She joins us to explain what steps you can take now to ensure your coverage is fully meeting your medical needs and isn't costing you more than you need to spend in 2026. Medicare Beware! A Special Report (Terry Savage) Survey: 75% of Medicare Beneficiaries Say Selecting a Plan Is Confusing Nearly 7 in 10 Medicare Beneficiaries Did Not Compare Plans During Medicare's Open Enrollment Period

Every year, Medicare Open Enrollment presents an important opportunity for retirees and individuals enrolled in Medicare to review, update, and make changes to their health and prescription drug coverage. If you're on Medicare or approaching retirement, understanding the enrollment period and your options is crucial to ensuring comprehensive and cost-effective health care. I'm sharing the seven essential things you need to know to make the most of this important window. Whether you're already enrolled in Medicare or want to stay ahead of your retirement planning, I explain key dates, your options for switching plans, how to review or update your prescription drug coverage, and what to do if your health or coverage needs have changed.  Tune in to learn about navigating Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and everything you should consider before December 7th to keep your health and finances on track as you plan your ideal retirement. You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [01:56] Seven key things to know about Medicare open enrollment. [03:04] Making changes to your Medicare supplemental coverage. [04:30] Prescription drug plan options. [05:21] How to evaluate and change Medicare Advantage plans. 07:30] Switching from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Medigap plan. [12:17] Effective dates for making Medicare Changes. What Is Medicare Open Enrollment? Medicare Open Enrollment occurs annually from October 15th to December 7th. During this time, anyone currently enrolled in Medicare has the chance to make changes to their coverage. This window allows you to switch plans, sign up for supplemental coverage, or alter your prescription drug benefits, flexibility that's vital as your health needs or financial circumstances shift. It's important to note that this period is only for those already enrolled in Medicare, not for newly eligible individuals. This annual period matters for anyone with existing Medicare coverage. If you're new to Medicare, say, your 65th birthday is coming up, your initial enrollment period is separate, and open enrollment won't apply until the following year. Retirees and older people who have already navigated their initial sign-up should take advantage of open enrollment to ensure their health plan continues to meet their needs. Your Medicare Options Medicare coverage comes in several forms: Original Medicare (Parts A & B): Provides hospital and medical insurance. Medicare Advantage: All-in-one alternatives to Original Medicare, often with additional benefits and lower out-of-pocket costs. Medigap (Medicare Supplement): Offers extra coverage to help pay healthcare costs not covered by Original Medicare. Open enrollment is your chance to change from one type to another, such as moving from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Medigap policy or vice versa. Switching plans can bring savings or better coverage, depending on your health situation, but there are specific rules, like the six-month initial enrollment for Medigap and state-specific regulations, that you must navigate. Prescription Drug Plans: Reviewing and Updating Part D Prescription needs often change, and so do the offerings of Part D drug plans. This period lets you join, drop, or switch your drug coverage. If your current plan is discontinuing a medication you rely on or raising costs, research alternatives in your area. Lack of creditable drug coverage carries penalties, making it important to have either Part D or a Medicare Advantage plan with drug benefits. Switching Medicare Advantage Plans Medicare Advantage plans differ in costs, networks, and coverage options, and these can change each year. If your doctors are no longer covered or prescription benefits shift unfavorably, open enrollment is the time to shop for a better-fitting plan. Changes due to pricing or plan termination also allow you to choose a new plan that better fits your situation for the upcoming year. Understanding Medigap Eligibility and State Rules Switching from Medicare Advantage to Medigap isn't always straightforward, especially after your initial six-month enrollment window. Some states, including Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts, offer more flexibility, letting you change plans without penalties for pre-existing conditions. Outside of these areas and time frames, you may face higher premiums or coverage denial unless a “guaranteed issue period” applies, such as following a plan termination or a move to a different state. Timing and Next Steps Any changes you make during Medicare Open Enrollment become effective January 1st of the following year. It's important to act before the December 7th deadline, so plan ahead, review notices, research alternatives, and consult with trusted advisors if you're unsure. Keeping up annually ensures your coverage fits your evolving health needs and budget. Medicare Open Enrollment can feel overwhelming, but it's a vital tool for retirees aiming for optimal care and cost efficiency. Stay informed, review your options, and take charge of your retirement health plan this open enrollment season. Resources Mentioned Retirement Readiness Review Subscribe to the Retire with Ryan YouTube Channel Download my entire book for FREE  Avoid These Seven Medicare Enrollment Mistakes and Protect Your Finances, #271  Connect With Morrissey Wealth Management  www.MorrisseyWealthManagement.com/contact   Subscribe to Retire With Ryan

Medicare Advantage Minute:                                                                                               A New Hampshire state official issues a dire assessment of the state of the Medicare Advantage market in his area of responsibility.  Your Medicare Benefits 2025:                                                                                                Pulmonary Rehabilitation Programs                                                                       Hey MOE is a new subscription service that wants help you identify the very best Part D prescription drug plan available in your area. As often happens when two massive behemoths encounter each other, some negotiations are in order. However, we are close to agreeing on a guest appearance on this very podcast.  If you take expensive drugs and would like to scan reputable Canadian pharmacies to find out if you can save money, send a message. I will be happy to share my short list of websites that you can use for this purpose. Finally, many congressmen are as opposed as we are to the government's proposed plan to add limited prior authorization regulations to Original Medicare. So far, nobody thinks this will be a good idea!             Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com (Most severe critic: A+)                   Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG Inspired by: "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; SIMPLEST & EASIEST GUIDE EVER!" "MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE" "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN: BARE BONES!" For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to  help future readers. Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.

Thinking about delaying Medicare Part B or Part D? It could cost you for the rest of your life. In this episode, we reveal the real financial impact of waiting to enroll, including permanent late penalties, coverage gaps, and higher out-of-pocket costs. Before you make a costly mistake, find out who can safely delay, who can't, and how to avoid lifelong penalties with smart Medicare timing. Tune in now to protect your coverage and your wallet.

Drowning in Medicare's alphabet soup of Parts A, B, C, and D? You're not alone, and we're here to help. In this episode, we break down the most common Medicare terms and coverage options in simple, everyday language. From Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage to Part D drug plans and Medigap, we'll help you finally make sense of your healthcare choices. Tune in to gain clarity, avoid costly mistakes, and feel confident about your Medicare decisions.

Medicare's Fall Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, and this is your chance to review, compare, and adjust your coverage for 2026. Richard Rosso & Jonathan McCarty review six crucial steps to help you make smarter Medicare choices — from evaluating plan changes and comparing drug coverage to avoiding common enrollment mistakes. Whether you're already on Medicare Advantage or reviewing Part D drug plans, understanding how to navigate this annual window could save you thousands in healthcare costs next year. 1:34 - Dealing w Medicare Open Enrollment 3:59 - Jonathan's Baby & Diaper Service 9:10 - Prescription Drug Formularies & Changes 12:11 - Shopping Around for Medicare Advantage Plans 17:56 - Recommended Alphabet Formula 21:15 - What Medicare Advantage is NOT 24:55 - Medicare Part-G Open Architecture 26:52 - Where to Start - ID Verification Woes 30:17 - The Medicare Plan Finder 34:34 - The RIA Medicare Screening Tool 43:34 - How and Where to Start Hosted by RIA Advisors Director of Financial Planning, Richard Rosso, CFP, w Senior Investment Advisor, Jonathan McCarty, CFP Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/3KSVvYg ------- The latest installment of our new feature, Before the Bell, "Markets Reclaim 20-DMA — Can It Hold?" is here: http://bit.ly/46WMYfq ------- Our Previous Show, "Capitalism: The Real Path to Wealth & Happiness" is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zw3gGV13x0&list=PLVT8LcWPeAugpcGzM8hHyEP11lE87RYPe&index=1&t=3s ------- Get more info & commentary: https://realinvestm entadvice.com/newsletter/ -------- SUBSCRIBE to The Real Investment Show here: http://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealInvestmentShow -------- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN -------- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new -------- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #MedicareOpenEnrollment #RetirementPlanning #MedicareAdvantage #FinancialEducation #HealthcareCosts

Medicare's Fall Open Enrollment runs from October 15 through December 7, and this is your chance to review, compare, and adjust your coverage for 2026. Richard Rosso & Jonathan McCarty review six crucial steps to help you make smarter Medicare choices — from evaluating plan changes and comparing drug coverage to avoiding common enrollment mistakes. Whether you're already on Medicare Advantage or reviewing Part D drug plans, understanding how to navigate this annual window could save you thousands in healthcare costs next year. 1:34 - Dealing w Medicare Open Enrollment 3:59 - Jonathan's Baby & Diaper Service 9:10 - Prescription Drug Formularies & Changes 12:11 - Shopping Around for Medicare Advantage Plans 17:56 - Recommended Alphabet Formula 21:15 - What Medicare Advantage is NOT 24:55 - Medicare Part-G Open Architecture 26:52 - Where to Start - ID Verification Woes 30:17 - The Medicare Plan Finder 34:34 - The RIA Medicare Screening Tool 43:34 - How and Where to Start Hosted by RIA Advisors Director of Financial Planning, Richard Rosso, CFP, w Senior Investment Advisor, Jonathan McCarty, CFP  Produced by Brent Clanton, Executive Producer ------- Watch Today's Full Video on our YouTube Channel: http://bit.ly/3KSVvYg ------- The latest installment of our new feature, Before the Bell, "Markets Reclaim 20-DMA — Can It Hold?" is here:  http://bit.ly/46WMYfq ------- Our Previous Show, "Capitalism: The Real Path to Wealth & Happiness" is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2zw3gGV13x0&list=PLVT8LcWPeAugpcGzM8hHyEP11lE87RYPe&index=1&t=3s ------- Get more info & commentary:  https://realinvestm entadvice.com/newsletter/ -------- SUBSCRIBE to The Real Investment Show here: http://www.youtube.com/c/TheRealInvestmentShow -------- Visit our Site: https://www.realinvestmentadvice.com Contact Us: 1-855-RIA-PLAN -------- Subscribe to SimpleVisor: https://www.simplevisor.com/register-new -------- Connect with us on social: https://twitter.com/RealInvAdvice https://twitter.com/LanceRoberts https://www.facebook.com/RealInvestmentAdvice/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/realinvestmentadvice/ #MedicareOpenEnrollment #RetirementPlanning #MedicareAdvantage #FinancialEducation #HealthcareCosts

Medicare Advantage Minute:                                                                                              Nine Payers (Insurance Companies) Recently Fined by Various States Your Medicare Benefits 2025:                                                                                               Prosthetic Devices The Hey MOE (Medicare Open Enrollment) drug plan selection service is ready to pick out the best Part D drug plan available in your neck of the woods. The automated process is able to compare more variables than even the highly experienced Lazy Man team can do. Finally, we review an article suggesting that claim denials are increasing. The statistics show that most providers are burdened by a growing level of scrutiny and regulation which suggests that insurance companies are tightening the screws.  Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com (Most severe critic: A+)                   Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG Inspired by: "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; SIMPLEST & EASIEST GUIDE EVER!" "MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE" "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN: BARE BONES!" For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to  help future readers. Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.

Terry Savage, nationally syndicated money columnist, joins Lisa Dent to discuss Medicare enrollment. She highlights the columns that she has written to help people understand how to properly sign up for Medicare based on their situation. She reviews open enrollment options, switching plans, and Part D drug plans.

Toni Advises everyone to check with their Medicare Advantage Plan, and check their Part D prescription plan to make sure that they do not incur additional expenses in 2026. Toni's new Medicare Survival Guide Advanced Edition book is available now - pick up your copy at www.tonisays.com Download your Free Guide: How Do I Enroll in Medicare? https://tonisays.com/free-download-how-to-enroll/ Remember - with Medicare it's what you don't know that will hurt you! There's so much good information in this podcast, please be sure to share this podcast with your friends! Recognized by feedspot.com as one of the best Medicare Podcasts in the nation! Write Toni - info@tonisays.com. Toni's book is available at www.seniorresource.com and https://tonisays.com You can call Toni at 832-519-8664 Toni welcomes all Medicare questions. Toni now offers informative Medicare Webinars for all of your Medicare needs at https://tonisays.com You can find Medicare Moments wherever you find your favorite podcasts, such as: Apple: https://apple.co/44MoguG Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7c82BS4hb145GiVYfnIRsoAmazon Music: https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/884c1f46-9905-4b29-a97a-1a164c97546b/medicare-moments?refMarker=null You can find Medicare Moments at: https://podcasts.seniorresource.com/medicare-moments/ Toni's new book: Maze of Medicare is now available at www.tonisays.com Combining Scripture with Medicare, it is the only book of its kind. Toni's columns appear weekly in about 100 newspapers across America. If you would like Toni's column to appear in your local paper, or if you would like Toni to speak at an event - contact Toni King at 832-519-8664 Thank you for listening and be sure to tell your friends about Medicare Moments! Blessings! Toni KingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Emmanuel Macron a beau faire savoir qu'il n'abandonnera jamais son mandat avant sa fin, le scénario d'un départ anticipé se fait de plus en plus sonore. Limité aux seuls membre de La France insoumise il y a encore quelques mois, l'appel à démission du chef de l'État est désormais de plus en plus repris des deux côtés du spectre politique.   Diluée dans les multiples rebondissements politiques des derniers jours, la déclaration n'a sans doute pas eu le retentissement attendu. Mais quand, mardi 7 octobre, Édouard Philippe prend la parole sur RTL au lendemain de la démission surprise de Sébastien Lecornu, c'est pour demander à Emmanuel Macron de partir « de façon ordonnée et digne ». Objectif : mettre fin à la crise politique en cours depuis la dissolution de l'été 2024. « Un choix de convenance » du président, selon le premier des huit premiers ministres de l'ère macroniste. Édouard Philippe préconise au chef de l'État une démission après l'adoption du budget 2026. C'est la première fois qu'un baron du bloc central envisage publiquement une telle issue. Si rapidement, la proposition a été traitée par le mépris du côté des derniers fidèles d'Emmanuel Macron, dénonçant les propres ambitions présidentielles d'Édouard Philippe, le choc n'en reste pas moins immense. Jusque-là, la petite musique du départ anticipé venait surtout de Jean-Luc Mélenchon Depuis plus d'un an maintenant, les insoumis jugent cette issue inévitable. Quelques jours seulement après les législatives anticipées de 2024, un haut dirigeant de LFI estimait que le sujet de la démission ou destitution ne ferait que monter. « On est juste les premiers à le dire », souriait-il. D'où l'accueil très « positif » des déclarations d'Édouard Philippe. Jean-Luc Mélenchon a d'ailleurs repris, vendredi 10 octobre, le terme de « présidentielle anticipée ». Le leader insoumis estime toujours qu'une nouvelle dissolution donnerait la même Assemblée nationale, et que donc seul un départ du chef de l'État peut remettre les compteurs à zéro. Mais il acte aussi l'échec de la voie institutionnelle, les insoumis avaient déposé deux motions de destitution, sans succès. Reste que l'objectif premier est accompli : celui de placer dans l'atmosphère l'idée du départ anticipé du président.  D'autres mouvements politiques reprennent désormais l'hypothèse du départ d'Emmanuel Macron Le Rassemblement national, notamment, plaide pour un départ du président de la République, même si l'inéligibilité de Marine Le Pen en fait forcément un plan B. Le RN pousse en priorité pour une dissolution, espérant emporter une majorité en cas de retour aux urnes. Mais l'hypothèse d'un départ anticipé d'Emmanuel Macron fait désormais partie des éléments de langage du mouvement d'extrême droite. À gauche, une trentaine de députés écologistes et communistes a signé la dernière motion de destitution des insoumis. Et les deux partis pourraient basculer définitivement si la crise politique se poursuit. Enfin, des voix s'élèvent aussi à droite et au centre, à l'image du président de la région Normandie Hervé Morin, qui avait rejoint le camp de l'appel à la démission dès le mois de septembre. Toutes et tous se justifient par le blocage des institutions depuis un an, mais aussi par l'impopularité croissante d'Emmanuel Macron. Selon un sondage publié mercredi par RTL, 73% des Français se déclarent plutôt, ou tout à fait favorables, à la démission du président. À lire aussiÀ la Une: Emmanuel Macron, en pleine crise politique

Are you ready to uncover the hidden legal blind spots in Medicare and get expert financial planning advice? Join Todd Marquardt on Talk Law Radio as he sits down with Steve Warren, President of Financial Planning HQ, and John Moore of Moore Wealth Advisors. Discover how to protect your legacy, avoid Medicare scams, and make smart choices for your future!Talk Law Radio with Todd Marquardt brings together top experts to help you navigate the complex world of Medicare and financial planning. •Steve Warren shares insights on fiduciary responsibility, working with client advisors, and the importance of always acting in your best interest.•John Moore reveals the hidden legal blind spots in Medicare, answers common questions, and explains the difference between Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement plans.•Learn about recent Medicare scams, how to avoid them, and what to do if you’re a victim.•Get tips on Medicare eligibility, open enrollment, and prescription drug coverage (Part D).•Plus, hear about legacy planning and how to make sure your financial future is secure.Don’t miss this episode!If you want to protect yourself and your loved ones, tune in on Facebook, YouTube, or your favorite podcast platform.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Le sujet fort de l'actualité foot du jour vu par Jérôme Rothen et la Dream Team.

Medicare made (much) clearer. This week, Regina breaks down what Medicare is, who's eligible, the differences between Parts A–D. Most importantly, you'll get a sneak peek into how you can avoid costly mistakes. so you can plan healthcare confidently in retirement. Additionally, Regina covers enrollment windows, penalties, Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage, and what ‘Original Medicare' doesn't cover. Episode Highlights:   0:00 - Introduction 0:33 - Episode beginning 3:01 - What is medicare? 3:32 - Who is eligible? 4:09 - What are the different parts? 5:14 - Part B 7:30 - Part D  9:13 - What is not covered? 10:05 - When can I enroll? 11:55 - What if I delay my enrollment? 12:59 - How does a Medical Supplement Insurance Plan fit? 15:46 - Call to action ABOUT REGINA MCCANN HESS   Regina is the author of Super Woman Wealth: How to Become Your Own Financial Hero.  As an advocate for women's financial freedom, she wrote this book to help empower women to take a bigger role in handling their money.     Regina has appeared on Schwab TV, Yahoo Finance, Forbes.com, NTD Television, CBS 3 Philadelphia, Fox 29 Philadelphia, King 5 Seattle, KTLA 5 Los Angeles and Scripps News.  She has also been quoted in numerous articles in publications such as Forbes, Business Insider, U.S. News & World Report, Yahoo Finance, USA Today, USA Wire, Word in Black, WTOP News, Mind Body Green, Money Digest, New York Post, Defender, Authority Magazine, GoBankingRates.com, Scripps and The Muse.   As Founder of Forge Wealth Management, Regina utilizes her 25+ years of financial services experience to help individuals plan, preserve and diversify their wealth.  She focuses on educating her clients while building long-term relationships with them and their families.  Her experience throughout major shifts in the markets, enables Regina to structure balanced portfolios to address specific financial goals. CONNECT WITH REGINA   Website: https://www.forgewealth.com LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reginamccannhess/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ForgeWealth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/forgewealthmanagement/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@ForgeWealth Email: reginahess@forgewealth.com   Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC www.finra.org, www.sipc.org Third-party posts found on this profile do not reflect the view of LPL Financial and have not been reviewed by LPL Financial as to accuracy or completeness. For a list of states in which I am registered to do business, please visit www.forgewealth.com. This material was prepared by Hartford Funds.

We welcome back Josh Kinzel from Seniority Benefit Group for his sixth visit to the podcast. The focus of this conversation is on the upcoming changes to Medicare enrollment and coverage for 2026, as well as practical advice for those approaching or currently navigating Medicare options.Breaking Down the Medicare Alphabet SoupJosh walks us through the parts of Medicare and why understanding them is so important:Original Medicare includes Part A (hospitalization, generally free) and Part B (outpatient coverage, with a monthly premium).Original Medicare typically covers 80% of approved costs, but there's no out-of-pocket cap for the leftover 20%. That's where the choice between a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan and a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan comes in.Medigap fills in gaps left by Original Medicare—giving simplicity and freedom to see almost any provider accepting Medicare. You add on a Part D drug plan for prescriptions.Medicare Advantage plans are administered by private insurance companies. The government pays these companies on your behalf, so the advertised zero-premium plans are real—but always remember, your Part B premium still applies. With Advantage, you're often in an HMO or PPO network, may have to seek pre-approval for some services, and pay more out of pocket if major health issues arise.What's New for Medicare in 2026?As usual, we're recording before all federal rules are final, but here's what we know:Part B premiums are expected to rise by about 11%, reaching an estimated $206.50 monthly.Part D drug plan costs may inch up, mainly as insurers adjust to the new $2,000 annual out-of-pocket limit (from the Inflation Reduction Act). While deductibles and catastrophic thresholds rise, costs for many drugs, especially for diabetes, are actually dropping.The infamous “donut hole” coverage gap is now virtually gone, making prescription coverage simpler.Talk continues about longer-term Part D and Advantage contracts (potentially covering more than one year) and the introduction of more pre-authorization (prior approval) steps, including the use of AI to address fraud and control costs.Medicare Advantage and the “Free” Plan QuestionA recurring theme is whether Medicare Advantage's free or low-cost plans are really “free.” Josh explains that these plans are genuinely $0 premium because the government subsidizes them, but you'll still pay the Part B premium, plus out-of-pocket costs when you use services. The trade-off is less predictability, more restrictions on doctor/hospital networks, and a risk of higher costs if you need significant care.If you like this episode, please let us know. We appreciate the feed back, and your support of offset costs of producing the podcast!MyCare Ohio: A New Managed Care Option for Dual EligiblesWe explore MyCare Ohio, a managed care model that combines Medicaid and Medicare benefits for those who qualify for both. Expanding to all 88 counties in Ohio, this program promises consolidation, fewer cards to carry, and—potentially—lower out-of-pocket costs for those with low income and assets. Eligibility, plan availability, and making sure your doctors are in-network are important considerations.How Employers and Retirees Fit InFor people who are still working at 65 or have retiree health coverage, we emphasize comparing employer plans with Medicare options—never simply assuming your current coverage is best. Employers can use experts like Josh's group to help employees or retirees make smart,...

✅ Free Medicare Guidance: https://bit.ly/3GoHTBZToll Free (855) 463 - 9688DescriptionJae breaks down why MaximizeYourMedicare.com is the hub for plain-spoken guidance—and why 2026 is more complex than you've been told. From the “birthday rule” backfire to Part D coverage gaps, AEP timing, GLP-1 gotchas, PPO vs HMO tradeoffs, and out-of-pocket max math, this episode shows how to use rules and competition to your advantage. Free guidance, serious caveats, and a clear plan—without the hype.In This Video00:00:00 Why MaximizeYourMedicare.com exists & who it's for00:01:00 AEP timing: why starting before Oct 15 saves headaches00:03:00 Substack: free vs paid, curation, and why context matters00:05:00 2026 is harder: regulation, skepticism, and “not financial advice”00:10:00 Medicare.gov walk-through: what I can finally say today00:15:00 Medigap is standardized; the real story is rate hikes00:16:00 The “birthday/anniversary rule” backlash—why prices rise00:23:00 Part D demo: GLP-1 coverage gaps & the $2,100 cap nuance00:35:00 Medicare Advantage vs Medigap math: networks & OOP max00:45:00 Markets differ by ZIP: producer pay, plan exits, and buyer edge______________________________________________________________CONNECT:✅ Subscribe to Jae's Corner on Substack: https://bit.ly/3u8TR8s✅$$$ Free Prescription Discount Card: https://bit.ly/3vv2gpi✅$$$ 2nd Free Prescription Discount Card: https://bit.ly/3NWIBp8✅Free Term Life Insurance Quote: https://bit.ly/37xaYJL✅

Lynn Nonnemaker joins Julia Grabo to discuss what Medicare Advantage (MA) and Part D proposals have been finalized, and, more importantly, which ones have not yet been addressed.

durée : 00:23:00 - 8h30 franceinfo - Gérard Araud, ancien ambassadeur de France en Israël (2003-2006) et aux États-Unis (2014-2019), était l'invité du "8h30 franceinfo" le mardi 23 septembre 2025. Vous aimez ce podcast ? Pour écouter tous les autres épisodes sans limite, rendez-vous sur Radio France.

8, rue Crochard. Tel est le titre du dernier livre de Henri Touitou, qui vient de paraître aux éditions L'Incertain, en Île-de-France. L'ouvrage décrit les émotions de l'auteur – et surtout celles de son père – au moment de quitter l'Algérie pour la France. Cet exil restera une plaie béante dans son cœur, et bien qu'il soit retourné quelques fois en Algérie, Henri Touitou reste inconsolé de la rue Crochard à Biskra, où il a fait ses premiers pas. Explications.

There are deep rumblings in the Part D prescription drug plan arena as the Feds have meddled in free market insurance market once too often.                            The plans are in trouble and those who need to rely on them for security are having difficulty. They need help figuring out how to arrange the most advantageous protection at the best available cost.                                                Soon, a newly discovered subscription service will help all who need it to fine-tune their prescription drug insurance. In the Medicare Advantage Minute segment, we review the article entitled:        "Are you unhappy with your MA plan? Here is some good news!" In the Your Medicare Advantage 2025 segment we find out whether Medicare will pay for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV Prevention. Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com (Most severe critic: A+)                   Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG Inspired by: "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; SIMPLEST & EASIEST GUIDE EVER!" "MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE" "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN: BARE BONES!" For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to  help future readers. Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.

In this episode, former CMS official Jon Blum reflects on the evolution and impact of the IRA's drug provisions—from foundational drivers and political trade-offs to how 2026 Part D redesign and the M3P cost-smoothing program are reshaping access. We explore why M3P adoption remains limited, how CMS is monitoring plan behavior around negotiated pricing, and what shrinking standalone Part D options may mean for patients, especially in rural areas. Jon also challenges the “blame game” in Washington—emphasizing the systemic incentives behind each actor—and shares his own prescription for equitably balancing drug affordability, innovation, and policy integrity, including thoughts on MFN and future reform paths.

Medicare Advantage Minute:                                                                                  UHC shareholders drop their legal efforts to force management to operate in a more transparent manner. Your Medicare Benefits 2025: Pneumococcal Shots Article: 7 Secrets To Get Good Customer Service By Phone Finally: Stalker Susie successfully identified the best Part D drug plans for Mr. Susie and herself  using my new book: Medicare Drug Plans; A Simple D-I-Y Guide!          Now she would like clarification of the differences between the least costly plans everyone should be seeking and the wildly expensive plans that some others are enrolled in; Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com (Most severe critic: A+)                   Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG Inspired by: "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; SIMPLEST & EASIEST GUIDE EVER!" "MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE" "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN: BARE BONES!" For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to  help future readers. Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.

Relocating can throw your Medicare plans, Medicare Supplement, Advantage, and Part D into confusion. We break down exactly what changes, what stays the same, and how to make the transition seamless. Tune in and move with confidence!

Are you turning 65 soon or starting to think seriously about healthcare in retirement? This week, I discuss the complicated world of Medicare—with a focus on the seven most costly mistakes people make when enrolling.  From missing crucial deadlines and underestimating penalties, to overlooking the true costs Medicare doesn't cover and getting tripped up by income-related surcharges, I give practical advice to help you avoid expensive pitfalls and make confident choices for your health and your wallet. Whether you're working past 65, exploring Medicare Advantage and Medigap, or just want to sidestep penalties, this episode unpacks the essentials so you can enter retirement feeling prepared and protected. Let's get into the key rules, deadlines, and decisions every retiring listener needs to know! You will want to hear this episode if you are interested in... [04:17] Medicare enrollment guidelines & penalties. [09:35] Understanding Medicare coverage gaps. [11:55] Medicare enrollment and switching plans. [17:15] Medicare premiums based on income. [19:50] Avoid high medicare costs. [23:16] How you can use HSA funds. [24:56] Medicare costs and supplemental plans. 7 Medicare Mistakes that Could Cost You Making the transition to Medicare at 65 is a big step for retirees. While the program does have plenty of benefits, it also comes with a few key complexities and deadlines that can trip up the unprepared.  1. Not Enrolling on Time Despite common belief, Medicare enrollment isn't always automatic when you turn 65. You're only auto-enrolled if you've begun collecting Social Security at least four months before your 65th birthday. Otherwise, you must actively sign up to avoid lifelong late enrollment penalties—10% annually for Medicare Part B and 1% per month for Part D, the prescription drug plan. Remember, if you're not covered by qualifying employer insurance (typically from a company with 20 or more employees), you must enroll during your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP), which starts three months before and ends three months after your 65th birthday month. 2. Misunderstanding Late Enrollment Penalties Enrollment deadlines carry not just inconvenience, but long-term financial consequences. For every year you delay Part B, a 10% penalty is added to your premium—for life. For Part D, missing timely enrollment adds a 1% penalty per month delayed. Even if you don't currently take prescription drugs, failing to enroll in Part D or lacking “creditable” drug coverage will trigger this penalty. Many people only find out about these charges after it's too late, so mark your calendar and stay ahead of these key windows. 3. Not Comparing Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage Original Medicare doesn't cover everything, leaving you responsible for 20% of costs and lacking extras like dental or vision. Medicare Advantage, on the other hand, often bundles additional services and may come with lower or even zero premiums, thanks to how the government pays private insurers. However, these plans have different provider networks and coverage rules, so compare carefully based on your health needs, preferred providers, and annual costs.  4. Waiting to Enroll in a Medigap Policy Failing to evaluate supplemental Medigap coverage during your initial eligibility window could lead to denial or much higher premiums later, especially if you develop health conditions. During the first six months after enrolling in Part B, you're guaranteed acceptance into any Medigap plan regardless of health. Afterward, insurers can impose restrictions or deny coverage. States like Connecticut, New York, and Massachusetts offer more flexibility, but most don't—making early action essential. 5. Ignoring IRMAA: Higher Premiums for Higher Incomes Many retirees are surprised by IRMAA—the Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount—which increases Part B and D premiums if your income exceeds certain thresholds. These adjustments are based on your tax returns from two years prior. Even a minor one-time income bump (like a large IRA withdrawal) could propel you into a higher bracket, doubling your premiums. Be proactive: monitor your adjusted gross income and consider strategies like Roth conversions, careful withdrawal timing, or appealing based on life-changing events like retirement.  6. Making HSA Contributions After Enrolling in Medicare Once you sign up for Medicare Part A or B, both you and your employer must stop making contributions to a Health Savings Account (HSA) six months before enrollment. Over-contributing subjects you to a 6% excise tax for every year the excess remains. However, you can continue to use existing HSA funds for eligible medical expenses tax-free throughout retirement. 7. Underestimating Out-of-Pocket Costs Even with Medicare, you'll face deductibles, co-pays, and services not covered (like long-term care, dental, and vision). Part A hospital stays have significant deductibles per benefit period, and Part B leaves you covering 20% of outpatient expenses. Medicare Advantage and Medigap plans can help limit these expenses, but each comes with specific limits, provider restrictions, and rules. Without a supplemental plan, your maximum out-of-pocket exposure could reach $9,350 (in-network) or higher, depending on your plan. Resources Mentioned Retirement Readiness Review Subscribe to the Retire with Ryan YouTube Channel Download my entire book for FREE Connect With Morrissey Wealth Management  www.MorrisseyWealthManagement.com/contact   Subscribe to Retire With Ryan

Send us a textEpisode SummaryWhat happens when Medicare is slowly dismantled? In this episode, we unpack the ripple effects of recent federal budget and tax policies—especially the One Big Beautiful Bill—on women's health, insurance costs, and the overall provision of care.From older women losing long-term supports, to mothers pushed out of Medicaid after giving birth, to rural hospitals shutting down, the cuts aren't just numbers on a page. They are lived realities for millions of women across every stage of life.We'll explore:How $500B in Medicare cuts will impact access to doctors, hospitals, and prescription drugsWhy women—especially low-income women, women of color, and older women—bear the greatest burdenThe domino effect on insurance premiums, hospital closures, and family financesReal-world stories of women navigating gaps in coverageWhat policy fixes and grassroots actions are still possibleKey TakeawaysDismantling Medicare isn't repeal—it's stealth budget cuts that reduce reimbursements, shrink benefits, and limit eligibility.Women are disproportionately impacted at every stage of life: from family planning to maternal care to aging.Insurance costs will rise—with projected 2026 increases of 11% for Part B and 6% for Part D.Hospital closures and provider shortages will deepen care deserts, especially in rural areas.Advocacy matters—from calling legislators to supporting community clinics and advocacy groups.Resources & Links MentionedWashington Post – What the GOP's tax bill means for your health careMarketWatch – $500 billion in Medicare cuts could result from Republican tax billInvestopedia – 10 Big Medicare Changes in 2026Support the showThe hashtag for the podcast is #nourishyourflourish. You can also find our firm, The Eudaimonia Center on the following social media outlets:Facebook: The Eudaimonia CenterInstagram: theeudaimoniacenterThreads: The Eudaimonia CenterFor more integrative reproductive medicine and women's health information and other valuable resources, make sure to visit our website.Have a question, comment, guest suggestion, or want to share your story? Email us at info@laurenawhite.com

La deuxième heure en intégralité de l'émission « Rothen s'enflamme », le rendez-vous qui vous plonge dans un vestiaire de foot. Tous les soirs, des anciens joueurs professionnels analysent et débattent autour de l'actualité du foot. Jérôme Rothen anime des

Host Davide Soldato and guest Dr. John K. Lin discuss the JCO article "Racial and Ethnic Disparities Along the Treatment Cascade Among Medicare Fee-For-Service Beneficiaries with Metastatic Breast, Colorectal, Lung, and Prostate Cancer." TRANSCRIPT The guest on this podcast episode has no disclosures to declare. Dr. Davide Soldato: Hello, and welcome to JCO After Hours, the podcast where we sit down with authors of the latest articles published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology. I'm your host, Dr. Davide Soldato, a medical oncologist at Ospedale San Martino in Genoa, Italy. Today, we are joined by Dr. Lin, assistant professor in the Department of Health Services Research at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. Dr. Lin and I will be discussing the article titled, "Racial and Ethnic Disparities Along the Treatment Cascade Among  Medicare Fee-for-Service Beneficiaries With Metastatic Breast, Colorectal, Lung, and Prostate Cancer." Thank you for speaking with us, Dr. Lin. Dr. Lin: Thank you so much for having me. I appreciate it. Dr. Davide Soldato: So, just to start, to frame a little bit the study, I just wanted to ask you what prompted you and your team to look specifically at this question - so, racial and ethnic disparities within this specific population? And related to this question, I just wanted to ask how this work is different or builds on previous work that has been done on this research topic. Dr. Lin: Yeah, absolutely. Part of the impetus for this study was the observation that despite people who are black or Hispanic having equivalent health insurance status - they all have  Medicare Fee-for-Service - we've known that treatment and survival differences and disparities have persisted over time for patients with metastatic breast, colorectal, lung, and prostate cancer. And so, the question that we had was, "Why is this happening, and what can we do about it?" One of the reasons why eliminating racial and ethnic disparities in survival among Medicare beneficiaries with metastatic cancer has been elusive is because these disparities are occurring along a lot of dimensions. Whether or not it's because the patient presented late and has very extensive metastatic cancer; whether or not the patient has had a difficult time even seeing an oncologist; whether or not the patient has had a difficult time starting on any systemic therapy; or maybe it's because the patient has had a difficult time getting guideline-concordant systemic therapy because, more recently, these treatments have become so expensive. Disparities, we know, are occurring along all of these different facets and areas of the treatment cascade. Understanding which one of these is the most important is the key to helping us alleviate these disparities. And so, one of our goals was to evaluate disparities along the entire treatment cascade to try to identify which disparities are most important. Dr. Davide Soldato: Thank you very much. That was very clear. So, basically, one of the most important parts of the research that you have performed is really focusing on the entire treatment cascade. So, basically, starting from the moment of diagnosis up to the moment where there was the first line of treatment, if this line of treatment was given to the patient. So, I was wondering a little bit, because for this type of analysis, you used the SEER-Medicare linked database. So, can you tell us a little bit which was the period of time that you selected for the analysis? Why do you think that that was the most appropriate time to look at this specific question? And whether you feel like there is any potential limitation in using this type of database and how you handled this type of limitations? Dr. Lin: Yeah, absolutely. It's a great question. And I want to back up a little bit because I want to talk about the entire treatment cascade because I think that this is really important for our research and for future research. We weren't the first people to look at along the treatment cascade for a disease. Actually, this idea of looking along the treatment cascade was pioneered by HIV researchers and has been used for over a decade by people who study HIV. And there are a lot of parallels between HIV and cancer. One of them is that with HIV, there are so many areas along that entire treatment cascade that have to go right for somebody's treatment to go well. Patients have to be diagnosed early, they have to be given the right type of antiretrovirals, they have to be adherent to those antiretrovirals. And if you have a breakdown in any one of those areas, you're going to have disparities in care for these HIV patients. And so, HIV researchers have known this for a long time, and this has been a big cornerstone in the success of getting people with HIV the treatment that they need. And I think that this has a lot of parallels with cancer as well. And so, I am hoping that this study can serve as a model for future research to look along the entire treatment cascade for cancer because cancer is, similarly, one of these areas that requires multidisciplinary, complex medical care. And understanding where it is breaking down, I think, is crucial to us figuring out how we can reduce disparities. But for your question about the SEER-Medicare linked database, so we looked between 2016 and 2019. That was the most recent data that was available to us. And one of the reasons why we were excited to look at this is because there were some new treatments that were just released and FDA-approved around 2018, which we were able to study. And this included immunotherapy for non–small cell lung cancer, and then it also included androgen receptor pathway inhibitors, the second-generation ones, for prostate cancer. And the reason why this is important is because for some time, as we have developed these new therapies, there's been a lot of concern that there have been disparities in access to these novel therapies because of how expensive they are, particularly for the Medicare population. And so one of the reasons why we looked specifically at this time period was to understand whether or not, in more recent years, these novel therapies, people are having increasing disparities in them and whether or not increasing disparities in these more expensive, newer therapies is contributing to disparities in mortality. That being said, obviously, we're in 2025 and these data are by now six years old, and so there are additional therapies that are now available that weren't available in the past. But I think that, that being said, at least it's sort of a starting point for some of the more important therapies that have been introduced, at least for non–small cell lung cancer and prostate cancer. And the database, SEER-Medicare, is helpful because it uses the population cancer registry, which is the SEER registry cancer registry, linked to Medicare claims. So, any type of medical care that's billed through Medicare, which is going to basically be all of the medical care that these patients receive, for the most part, we're going to be able to see it. And so, I think that this is a really powerful database which has been used in a lot of research to understand what kind of care is being received that has been billed through Medicare. So, one of the limitations with this database is if there is care that's received that was not billed through Medicare, we're not going to be able to see that. And this does not happen probably that frequently, particularly because most patients who have insurance are going to be receiving care through insurance. However, we may see it for some of the oral Part D drugs. Some of those drugs are so expensive that patients cannot pay for the coinsurance during that time. And it's possible that some of those drugs patients were getting for free through the manufacturer. We potentially missed some of that. Dr. Davide Soldato: So, going a little bit into the results, I think that these are very, very interesting. And probably the most striking one is that when we look at the receipt of any type of treatment for metastatic breast, colorectal, prostate, and lung cancer - and specifically when we look at guideline-directed first-line treatments - you observed striking differences. So, I just wanted you to guide us a little bit through the results and tell us a little bit which of the numbers surprised you the most. Dr. Lin: So, what we were expecting is to see large disparities in receiving what we called guideline-directed systemic therapy. And guideline-directed systemic therapy during this time kind of depended on the cancer. So, we thought that we were going to see large disparities in guideline-directed therapy because these were the more novel therapies that were approved, and thus they were going to be the more expensive therapies. And so, what this meant was for colorectal cancer, this was going to be any 5-FU–based therapy. For lung cancer, this was going to be any checkpoint inhibitor–based therapy. For prostate cancer, this was going to be any ARPI, so this was going to be things like abiraterone or enzalutamide. And for breast cancer, this was going to be CDK4 and 6 TKIs plus any aromatase inhibitor. And so, for instance, for breast, prostate, and lung cancer, these were going to be including more expensive therapies. And so, what we expected to see was large disparities in receiving some of these more expensive, novel therapies. And we thought we were going to see fewer disparities in receiving some of the cheaper therapies, such as aromatase inhibitors, 5-FU, older platinum chemotherapies for lung cancer, and ADT for prostate cancer. We were shocked to find that we saw large racial and ethnic disparities in seeing some of the older, cheaper chemotherapies and hormonal therapies. So for instance, for breast cancer, 59% of black patients received systemic therapy, whereas 68% of white patients received systemic therapy. For colorectal, only 23% of black patients received any systemic therapy versus 34% of white patients. For lung, only 26% of black patients received any therapy, whereas 39% of white patients did. And for prostate, only 56% of black patients received any systemic therapy versus 77% of white patients. And so, we were pretty shocked by how large the disparities were in receiving these cheap, easy-to-access systemic therapies. Dr. Davide Soldato: Thank you very much. So, I just wanted to go a little bit deeper in the results because, as you said, there were striking differences even when we looked at very old and also cheap treatments that, for the majority of the patients that were included inside of your study, were actually basically available for a very small price to these patients who had the eligibility for Medicare or Medicaid. And I think that one of the very interesting parts of the research was actually the attention that you had at looking how much of these disparities could be explained by several factors. And actually, one of the most interesting results is that you observed that low-income subsidy status was actually a big determinant of these disparities in terms of treatment. So, I just wanted to guide us a little bit through these results and then just your opinion about how these results should be interpreted by policymakers. Dr. Lin: Yeah, absolutely. I'm going to explain a little bit about what low-income subsidy status is and dual-eligibility status. Some of the listeners may not know what low-income subsidy status or dual-eligibility status is. Low-income subsidy status is part of Medicare Part D. Medicare Part D is an insurance benefit that allows patients to receive oral drugs. So these are drugs that are dispensed through the pharmacy, such as the CDK4/6 inhibitors, as well as second-generation ARPIs in our study. For patients who have Medicare Part D and whose income is low enough - falls below a certain federal poverty level threshold - those patients will receive their oral drugs for much cheaper. And this is really important for some of these more novel therapies because for some of these more novel therapies, if you don't have low-income subsidy status, you may be paying thousands of dollars for a single prescription of those drugs. Whereas if you have low-income subsidy status, you may be paying less than $10. And so that difference, greater than $1,000 or $2,000 versus less than $10, one would think that the patient who's paying less than $10 would be much more likely to receive those therapies. So that's low-income subsidy status. Low-income subsidy status, importantly, doesn't apply for infused medications like immunotherapy. But it's important to know that most people with low-income subsidy status - about 88% - are also dual-eligible. What dual-eligible means is that they have both Medicare and Medicaid. Medicare being the insurance that everybody has in our study who's greater than 65. And Medicaid is the state-run but federally subsidized insurance that patients with low incomes have. And so patients who are dual-eligible - and about 87% of those with low-income subsidy status are dual-eligible - those patients have both Medicaid and Medicare, and they basically pay next to nothing for any of their medical care. And that's because Medicare will reimburse most of the medical care and the copays or coinsurance are going to be covered by Medicaid. So Medicaid is going to pick up the rest of the bill. So, most of the patients who have low-income subsidy status who are dual-eligible, these patients pay almost nothing for their medical care - Part B or Part D, any of their drugs. And so, one would expect that if cost were the main determinant of disparities in cancer care, then one would expect that dual-eligibles, most of them would be receiving treatment because they're facing minimal to no costs. What we found is that when we broke down the racial and ethnic disparity by a number of factors - including LIS status/dual eligibility, age, the number of comorbidities, etcetera - what we found was that the LIS or dual-eligibility status explained about 20% to 45% of the disparities that we saw in receiving treatment. And what that means is despite these patients paying next to nothing for their drugs, these are the most likely patients to not be treated for their cancer at all. So they're most likely to basically be diagnosed, survive for two months, see an oncologist, and then never receive any systemic therapy for their cancer. And this is not just chemotherapies for colorectal or lung cancer. This includes cheaper, easier-to-tolerate hormonal therapies that you can just take at home for breast cancer, or you can get every six months for prostate cancer, that people who even have poorer functional status are able to take. However, for whatever reason, these dual-eligible or LIS patients are very unlikely to receive treatment compared to any other patient. The low likelihood of treating this group of patients, that explains a large portion of the racial and ethnic disparities that we see. Dr. Davide Soldato: And one thing that I think is very interesting and might be of potential interest to our listeners is, did you compare survival outcomes in these different settings? And did you observe any significant differences in terms of racial and ethnic disparities once you saw that there was a significant difference when looking at both receipt of any type of treatment and also guideline-directed treatments? Dr. Lin: We saw that there were large disparities in survival by race and ethnicity when you look overall. However, when you just account for the patients who received any systemic therapy at all - not just guideline-directed systemic therapy - those differences in survival essentially disappeared. And so, what that suggests is that if black patients were just as likely to receive any systemic therapy at all as white patients, we would expect that the survival differences that we were seeing would disappear. And this is not even just looking at guideline-directed systemic therapy. This was looking just at systemic therapy alone. And so, while guideline-directed systemic therapy should be a goal, our research suggests that if we are to close the gap in disparities in overall survival among black and white patients, we must first focus on patients just receiving any type of treatment at all. And that should be the very first focus that policymakers, that leaders in ASCO, that health system leaders, that physicians, that we should focus on: just trying to get any type of treatment to our patients who are poorer or black. Dr. Davide Soldato: Thank you very much. And this was not directly related to the research that you performed, but going back to this very point - so, increasing the number of patients that receive any kind of systemic treatment before looking at guideline-directed treatments - what would you feel would be the best way to approach this in order to decrease the disparities? Would you look at interventions such as financial navigation or maybe improving referral pathways or providing maybe more culturally adapted information to the patients? Because in the end, what we see is disparities based on racial and ethnicity. We see that we can reduce these disparities if we get these patients to the treatment. But in the end, what would you feel is the best way to bring patients to these types of treatments? Dr. Lin: I think the most important thing is to understand that these disparities are not primarily happening because of the high cost of cancer treatment. These disparities are happening because of other social vulnerabilities that these patients are facing. And so these vulnerabilities could be a lot of things. It could be mistrust of the medical system. It could be fear of chemotherapy or other treatments. It could be difficulty taking time off of work. It could be any number of things. What we do know is when we've looked at the types of interventions that can help patients receive treatment, navigation is probably the most effective one. And the reason why I think that is because when patients don't receive treatment because of social vulnerability, I sort of look at social vulnerability like links in a chain. Any weakest link is going to result in the patient not receiving treatment. This may be because they have a hard time taking time off of work. This may be because they had a hard time getting transportation to their physician. It may be because they had an interaction with a physician, but that interaction was challenging for the patient. Maybe they mistrusted the physician. Maybe they're worried about the medical system. If any of these things goes wrong, the patient is not going to be treated. The patient navigator is the only person who can spot any of those weak links within the chain and address them. And so, I think that the first thing to do is to get patient navigation systems in place for our vulnerable patients throughout the United States. And this is incredibly important because in Medicare, patient navigation is reimbursable. And so this is not something that's ‘pie in the sky'. This is something that's achievable today. The second thing is that it's really important that we see these vulnerabilities happening for patients who are dual-eligible, who have both Medicare and Medicaid. One of the reasons why this is important is because there has been a lot of research outside of what we've done that has shown vulnerabilities for dual-eligible patients who have Medicare for a number of different diseases. And the reason why is because, although patients are supposed to have the benefits of both Medicare and Medicaid, usually these two insurances do not play nicely together. It creates a huge, bureaucratic, complex mess and maze that most of these patients are unable to navigate. And so many of these patients are unable to actually receive the full reimbursement from both Medicare and Medicaid that they should be getting because those two insurers are not communicating well. And so the second thing is that national cancer organizations need to be supporting policies and legislation that is already being discussed in Congress to revamp the dual-eligible system so that it facilitates these patients getting properly reimbursed for their care from both Medicare and Medicaid and these systems working together well. The third thing is that Medicaid itself has many benefits that can allow patients to receive care, like they have transportation benefits so that patients can get to and from their doctor's appointments with ease. And so I think this will be additionally very, very helpful for patients. The last thing is, you know, it's possible that future innovations such as telemedicine and tele-oncology and cancer care at home can also make it easier for some of these patients who may be working a lot to receive care. But what I would say is that our study should be a call for healthcare delivery researchers to start piloting interventions to be able to help these patients receive systemic therapy. And so what this could look like is trying to get that care navigation and implement that in clinics so that patients can be receiving the care that they need. Dr. Davide Soldato: Thank you very much. That was a very clear perspective on how we can tackle this issue. So, I just wanted to close with a sort of personal question. I was wondering what led you to work specifically in this research field that is very challenging, but I think it's particularly critical in healthcare systems like in the United States. Dr. Lin: Yeah, absolutely. One of the most important things for me as an oncologist and a researcher is being able to know that all patients in the United States - and obviously abroad - who have cancer should be able to receive the kind of care that they deserve. I don't think that patients, because their incomes are lower or because their skin looks a certain color or because they live in rural areas, these shouldn't be determinants of whether or not cancer patients are receiving the care that they need. We can develop and pioneer the very best treatments and breakthroughs in oncology, but if our patients are not receiving them - if only 20% of our patients with colon cancer or lung cancer are receiving any type of systemic therapy, who are black - this is a big problem. But this is something that I think that our system can tackle. We need to get these breakthroughs that we have in oncology to every single cancer patient in America and every single cancer patient in the world. I think this is a goal that all oncologists should have, and I think that this is something that, honestly, is achievable. I think that research is a powerful tool to give us a lens into understanding exactly why it is that certain patients are not getting the care that they deserve. And my goal is to continue to use research to shed light on why our system is not performing the way that we all want it to be. Dr. Davide Soldato: Circling back to your research, actually the manuscript that was published was supported by a Young Investigator Award by the American Society of Clinical Oncology. So, was this the first step of a more broad research, or do you have any further plans to go deeper in this topic? Dr. Lin: Yeah, absolutely. First, I want to thank the ASCO Young Investigator Award for funding this research because I think it's fair to say that this research would not have happened at all without the support of the ASCO YIA. And the fact that ASCO is doing as much as it can to support the future generation of cancer researchers is incredible. And it's a huge resource, and having it come at the time that it did is critical for so many of us. So I think that this is an unbelievable thing that ASCO does and continues to do with all of its partners. For me, yeah, this is definitely a stepping stone to further research.  Medicare Fee-for-Service is only one part of the population. I want to spread this research and extend it to patients who have other types of insurances, look at other types of policies, and also try to conduct some of the cancer care delivery research that's needed to try to pilot some interventions that can resolve this problem. So hopefully this is the first step in a broader series of studies that we can all do collectively to try to eliminate racial and ethnic disparities in cancer care and survival. Dr. Davide Soldato: So, I think that we've come at the end of this podcast. Thank you again, Dr. Lin, for joining us today. Dr. Lin: Thank you so much. It was a pleasure to be a part of this. Dr. Davide Soldato: So, we appreciate you sharing more on your JCO article, "Racial and Ethnic Disparities Along the Treatment Cascade Among Medicare Fee-for-Service Beneficiaries With Metastatic Breast, Colorectal, Lung, and Prostate Cancer." If you enjoy our show, please leave us a rating and review and be sure to come back for another episode. You can find all ASCO shows at asco.org/podcasts. The purpose of this podcast is to educate and to inform. This is not a substitute for professional medical care and is not intended for use in the diagnosis or treatment of individual conditions. Guests on this podcast express their own opinions, experience, and conclusions. Guest statements on the podcast do not express the opinions of ASCO. The mention of any product, service, organization, activity, or therapy should not be construed as an ASCO endorsement.

Kirsten Axelsen is an economist specializing in Medicare reimbursement, payer negotiations, and innovative reimbursement contracts. She’s a fellow of the Aspen Institute and a visiting scholar with the American Enterprise Institute. She joins host Duane Schulthess to unpack bipartisan pressure on drug prices, the Part D redesign’s rapid shift of catastrophic costs to plans, and the resulting premium versus coverage tradeoffs and PDP exits. Axelson explains why forecasting IRA impacts is uncertain, how nine versus thirteen-year timelines tilt incentives toward biologics, and why price controls can weaken both generic entry and biosimilar uptake. The discussion explores MFN-style ideas and trade uncertainties, vertical integration around biosimilars, and practical fixes from EPIC-like timelines to building a faster, more connected U.S. clinical-trial ecosystem with better participant support. Politics & Incentives: Trump MFN attempts, bipartisan pressure on high drug prices, and insurer dynamics versus the pace of biomedical innovation. Part D Redesign: The rapid shift of catastrophic costs to plans, premium versus coverage tradeoffs, PDP exits, and access challenges in rural areas. Modeling & Consequences: Limits of CBO forecasts, uncertainty bands, design choices around price controls, and risks to post-market and follow-on research. Competition Levers: Small molecule disincentives, low biosimilar uptake on formularies, generic entry pressures under price controls, and plan behavior. Policy Paths: EPIC-style timeline fixes, negotiation mechanics, MFN and trade uncertainties, and making U.S. clinical trials faster, more connected, and participant-friendly. Recorded on July 28, 2025. Opinions expressed are those of the speakers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ready to take control of your retirement? Start your Retirement TEAM Action Plan at ARHQ.com or call 419-794-3030 to speak with a retirement planning specialist today! In this conversation, Scott Kirchner discusses the intricacies of Medicare, addressing common questions and misconceptions that seniors often have. He emphasizes the importance of understanding enrollment periods, the differences between Medicare parts, and the potential penalties for late enrollment. Additionally, he highlights overlooked questions that seniors should consider, such as the impact of HSAs and VA benefits on Medicare enrollment. The conversation concludes with details about an upcoming educational workshop aimed at providing further insights into Medicare benefits and changes. About America's Retirement Headquarters: We are dedicated to helping retirees achieve the retirement they deserve. From crafting personalized retirement income strategies to providing a single location for all your retirement solutions, our goal is to guide you every step of the way. Let us help you navigate the complexities of retirement, so you can enjoy financial confidence and peace of mind. Visit Us: 1700 Woodlands Drive, Maumee, OH 43537 Call Us: 419-794-3030 Learn More: ARHQ.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Navigating Medicare prescription drug coverage can be overwhelming. In this episode, we break down what's covered under Part B and Part D, highlight what's not included, and explain how to manage non-formulary drugs. Plus, discover strategies to help you lower your costs and make informed choices about your coverage options.

Are you confused about which vaccines Medicare covers? We've got you covered! In this episode, we break down how Medicare Part B and Part D protect you with essential vaccines like flu shots, shingles, and more. Discover where to get your immunizations, why they're crucial for your health, and how to stay protected every step of the way! Tune in to learn more.

Introducing the 2025 Medicare Prescription Payment Plan! This innovative program allows you to pay your Part D drug costs in manageable monthly installments. Discover how it works, who's eligible, and the simple steps to enroll. Say goodbye to unpredictable medication expenses and take control of your health care costs today!

In the Medicare Advantage Minute we hear even more detail about the difficulties United Healthcare seems to be mired in. The Department of Justice is investigating charges of Medicare fraud & anti-trust violations.  So what else is new? Your Medicare Benefits 2025: Obesity Behavioral Therapy and how Medicare might cover that if you needed it. Soon-to-be-client Mary is wondering what action she should take to find out where her Part B Medicare application is hung up. Fortunately, Mary is an overachiever who has submitted her application early enough before her deadline that there is unlikely to be a troubling delay. That is not true for many other applicants! "Big Fan Terry" checks in to report that his choice of a High Deductible Plan G worked out great. His Medical treatment has resulted in only a small out-of-pocket expense and his recent 8%rate increase amounted to a frightening $4 per month! Finally, Stalker Susie has promised to try out the Kindle version of  "Medicare Drug Plans; A Simple D-I-Y Guide" and report back on how useful it was in her search for the "best" (cheapest) Part D drug plan. Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com (Most severe critic: A+)                   Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG Inspired by: "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!" "MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE" "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN: BARE BONES! For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to  help future readers. Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.

In this episode of The Broker Link, Josh Slattery breaks down key carrier updates that will impact Medicare Advantage and Part D plans in 2026. Highlights include:

Ecoutez RTL Soir avec Gaël Giordana du 05 août 2025.Hébergé par Audiomeans. Visitez audiomeans.fr/politique-de-confidentialite pour plus d'informations.

In the Medicare Advantage Minute segment, United Healthcare cites the murder of their CEO in a move to stifle criticism from the press.                                           Gee, that should make them a lot of friends! In a selection from "Your Medicare Benefits 2025" we learn how Medicare would cover Nebulizers and Nebulizer medications. A couple of valued clients inform me about trouble in Paradise! They move from Minnesota to Green Valley, AZ and some alert employee of their Part D prescription drug plan decided to do a little snooping. Eventually, the Minnesota plan was cancelled and the husband was unable to obtain any more meds. During that investigation another mystery presented itself, this one centering on a theft of enrollment; a Medicare participant was notified that her drug plan had been automatically cancelled due to enrollment in a Humana Medicare Advantage plan. That would have netted some thief a $600+ sales commission. Fortunately, the Content Curator took quick action and the damage was reversed. Listen carefully for a hint as to how one can improve a drug plan customer service encounter. Susan is so eager to become a client she wants to lock in her Medicare supplement plan six months ahead of time. Didn't work out exactly as planned for her. Finally, Dirk needs some guidance as to when to enroll in Medicare, his 65th birthday month or the month his wife retires.  Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com (Most severe critic: A+)                   Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG Inspired by: "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; SIMPLEST & EASIEST GUIDE EVER!" "MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE" "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN: BARE BONES!" For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to  help future readers. Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.

This Day in Legal History: Medicare and Medicaid Signed into BeingOn July 30, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Social Security Amendments of 1965 into law, creating the Medicare and Medicaid programs. The signing took place at the Truman Library in Independence, Missouri, with former President Harry S. Truman—an early advocate for national health insurance—present and symbolically receiving the first Medicare card. Medicare was designed to provide hospital and medical insurance to Americans aged 65 and older, regardless of income or medical history. Medicaid, created alongside Medicare, offered healthcare assistance to low-income individuals and families.At the time, nearly half of Americans over 65 had no health insurance. The passage of Medicare was a landmark achievement of Johnson's Great Society initiative and built on decades of political struggle over healthcare reform. The legislation amended Title XVIII of the Social Security Act and was strongly opposed by many in the medical establishment and conservative politicians who labeled it as “socialized medicine.” Nevertheless, the program gained rapid popularity and provided immediate relief to millions.Administered by the federal government, Medicare initially had two parts: Part A, covering hospital insurance, and Part B, covering outpatient and physician services. It has since evolved to include prescription drug coverage (Part D) and options for private plans (Medicare Advantage). The law reshaped the American healthcare landscape and established the principle that access to healthcare for seniors was a federal responsibility.The U.S. Senate confirmed Emil Bove, a former lawyer for Donald Trump and senior Justice Department official, to a lifetime seat on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a narrow 50-49 vote. Bove faced unified Democratic opposition and criticism from over 900 former DOJ employees, who claimed he undermined the department's integrity. His nomination prompted a Democratic walkout during the Senate Judiciary Committee's vote and drew sharp condemnation from Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer.Despite controversy, Republicans praised Bove's background as a federal terrorism prosecutor and his legal work defending Trump in several criminal cases. His confirmation shifts the appellate court's balance back in favor of Republican appointees. Critics cited Bove's alleged directives that defied judicial authority and political interference in a corruption case against New York Mayor Eric Adams. Bove denied wrongdoing in both instances. His confirmation is part of Trump's renewed effort in his second term to reshape the judiciary, following over 230 appointments in his first term. Trump has also nominated another close adviser, Jennifer Mascott, to the same court.Trump lawyer Bove confirmed to US appeals court, overcoming Democratic opposition | ReutersBove Confirmed to Appeals Court After Whistleblowers Emerge (1)A White House crypto task force established by President Trump is set to release a highly anticipated report outlining the administration's policy goals for the digital asset sector. The report, expected Wednesday, will address tokenization, market structure legislation, and a regulatory framework for blockchain-based financial products. Created by executive order shortly after Trump took office in January, the group is led by Bo Hines and includes top officials such as Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and SEC Chair Paul Atkins.The document is expected to support expanded use of tokenization, which converts traditional assets like stocks and real estate into blockchain-based tokens. The report may call on the SEC to create a framework enabling firms like Coinbase to offer tokenized securities, though specific language remains under wraps. It will also outline the White House's preferences for crypto legislation currently advancing in Congress, including follow-up to the recently passed stablecoin law.Trump has made pro-crypto policies a centerpiece of his administration, reversing many of the enforcement actions taken under President Biden, such as lawsuits against Coinbase and Binance. While the industry sees the report as a roadmap for mainstream integration, concerns remain about conflicts of interest, particularly given Trump's financial ties to crypto ventures and meme coins. The administration has denied any ethical violations.White House set to unveil closely watched crypto policy report | ReutersThe Trump administration has formally requested the release of grand jury transcripts related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell, citing public interest and mounting pressure over the government's handling of the sex trafficking cases. Prosecutors filed late-night motions with U.S. District Judges Richard Berman and Paul Engelmayer, arguing that the sealed testimony should now be disclosed, though the judges had previously asked for stronger legal justification. Grand jury records are typically secret, with limited exceptions for disclosure.Trump said he directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to seek the unsealing after the Justice Department reaffirmed its conclusion that Epstein died by suicide and that there was no list of elite clients—a stance that frustrated some Trump supporters who suspect a cover-up. Epstein died in 2019 before his trial; Maxwell, convicted in 2021, is serving a 20-year sentence and has appealed to the Supreme Court to overturn her conviction.In a related effort, a Florida judge recently denied a separate request to release grand jury records from earlier state investigations into Epstein, ruling they did not meet legal exceptions. Even if the federal judges allow the current transcripts to be unsealed, the documents may not reveal new information, since much of the testimony was covered during Maxwell's trial. The transcripts also wouldn't encompass the full scope of investigative material held by the government.Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, a former Trump lawyer, recently met with Maxwell for two days, reportedly seeking any names or evidence she could provide about others potentially involved. Neither Blanche nor Maxwell's attorney has commented in detail on those meetings.Trump administration asks judges to release Epstein, Maxwell grand jury transcripts | ReutersA Massachusetts jury has ordered Johnson & Johnson to pay over $42 million to Paul Lovell, who developed mesothelioma after decades of using the company's talc products. Lovell and his wife sued in 2021, claiming the talc contained asbestos that he unknowingly inhaled, and accused J&J of failing to warn consumers despite knowing the risks. The jury awarded damages for pain, suffering, and medical costs.J&J denied any wrongdoing, calling the verdict “junk science” and saying its products are asbestos-free and safe, with plans to appeal the decision. The company ended U.S. sales of talc-based baby powder in 2020. This case adds to a string of multi-million-dollar verdicts against J&J in talc-related mesothelioma lawsuits, although some have been overturned on appeal.J&J is facing over 63,000 active lawsuits, and possibly up to 100,000 claims in total, most alleging ovarian cancer from talc use. The company's attempts to resolve the claims through bankruptcy have failed in court three times, including a $10 billion settlement proposal rejected in March. The Lovell case is part of ongoing litigation that continues to test J&J's legal strategy and product safety claims.Johnson & Johnson ordered to pay $42M after jury finds talc caused man's cancer | Reuters This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.minimumcomp.com/subscribe

Get access now to 7 Figure Medicare University: Lifetime access:https://sevenfigureu.com/On this episode of the Seven Figures or Bust podcast, we dive into the latest CMS Part-D update and what it means for agents and clients alike. We break down the key changes, how they'll impact your business, and what you need to do to stay ahead. Don't miss this critical industry update!Learn more about getting your own VA with Hire Heroes here: https://app.hireheroes.com/signup?fpr=christian43Join our free private Facebook group for insurance agents: https://www.facebook.com/groups/551409828919739/Welcome to the Christian Brindle channel brought to you by Christian Brindle & Christian Brindle Insurance Services. This channel is here for the sole purpose of bringing training, tips, success stories, and personal development from Christian Brindle. Christian is a published author, hosts the ever popular Everything Medicare Podcast, and made six figures in the Medicare business by the time he was 25 years old.

In the "Medicare Advantage Minute" we learn that many Medicare Advantage insurance companies have stopped paying sales commissions to agents that sell some of their Medicare Advantage and Part D prescription drug plans. Later in the episode we receive the same interesting news from Blue Shield of California. How does a company expect to sell products through insurance brokers without paying sales commissions? In the "Your Medicare Benefits 2025" segment we learn how Medicare is likely to handle claims for Mental Health Care (Partial Hospitalization). Finally, client Larry reported that Globe Life of NY was planning to increase the monthly premium of the HDG plan he and his wife have been enrolled in. What he may not have realized is that it was the first rate increase in four years...unheard of for any but the much-maligned HDG supplement plans! Contact me at: DBJ@MLMMailbag.com (Most severe critic: A+)                   Visit us on: BabyBoomer.ORG Inspired by: "MEDICARE FOR THE LAZY MAN 2025; Simplest & Easiest Guide Ever!" "MEDICARE DRUG PLANS: A SIMPLE D-I-Y GUIDE" For sale on Amazon.com. After enjoying the books, please consider returning to leave a short customer review to  help future readers. Official website: https://www.MedicareForTheLazyMan.com.

In this episode of The Broker Link, Josh Slattery dives into the 2026 Final Rule and its impact on the health insurance landscape. While this year's changes are more modest compared to previous updates, several important developments were discussed: GLP-1 Coverage & Debit Card Rules: Proposed changes to expand GLP-1 drug coverage for obesity and revise flex debit card use were not included in the final rule. SSA Qualification Process: The process for Medicare Special Enrollment Periods is now more complex, requiring verification from past claims or providers. Part D Risk Adjustment: Updates were made to help stabilize the Part D market amid growing cost pressures. Medicaid Impacts: The “Big Beautiful Bill” introduced major changes, including work requirements and stricter eligibility limits for Medicaid beneficiaries. Medicare Advantage Update: Penetration rates have reached 53%, but 6% of enrollees faced plan terminations this year. Josh also shares insights on the current regulatory climate, market volatility, and what agents should watch for as policy changes continue to evolve. Learn more about partnering with The Brokerage Inc. by visiting our website, www.thebrokerageinc.com. Remember to like, share, and subscribe to our show!  New episodes are available every Tuesday. Join our Community! LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-brokerage-inc-/   Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/thebrokerageinc/  Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/thebrokerageinc/  YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@TheBrokerageIncTexas  Website:  https://thebrokerageinc.com/ 

Exploring Heather Schreiber's 5 costly Social Security traps and exploring options of how to handle them. I've seen it time and again throughout my career: the intricacies of navigating Social Security can trip up just about anyone. So when I saw the headline “5 Sneaky Social Security Traps” in Heather Schreiber's newsletter, I knew right away this was going to be something that deserved a closer look on the podcast. Let's dive into these 5 Social Security traps–and these aren't just random quirks—that can lead to unexpected gaps in income, tax surprises, or permanent reductions in your benefits.  1. The Entire Month Rule You might think that turning 62 means you're automatically eligible for Social Security that month. Not quite. Social Security has a quirky rule: you have to be 62 for the entire month to receive benefits for that month. If your birthday is on June 15, you don't qualify for June's benefit. Instead, your eligibility starts in July, and your first payment doesn't arrive until August. What's even weirder is that the SSA counts your birthday as the day before you were born. So if you're born on June 2, you're considered 62 starting June 1 and therefore eligible for June benefits (which are paid in July). If you're planning on your Social Security check arriving the month you turn 62, you could be left waiting an extra month or two—potentially throwing off your cash flow. 2. Rest in Peace, Now Return to Sender Just like you must be alive the entire month to earn that month's benefit, if someone passes away mid-month, they don't qualify for that month's Social Security payment—even if it's already been deposited. This can be a shock to surviving spouses or family members when the SSA takes that money back. If a loved one passes away on June 14, and the June payment was already deposited in early July, that money must be returned. It wasn't “earned” under SSA rules. So whether you're filing for your own benefit or helping a family member, remember: Social Security is earned month-by-month—and only if you're alive for the full month. 3. Lump Sum FOMO: When Free Money Isn't Always Free When you file for Social Security after your full retirement age, you have the option to take up to six months' worth of benefits retroactively. That sounds great—who doesn't like a lump sum? But here's the catch: taking that lump sum means your official filing date is backdated. So if you file at age 68.5 and take six months retroactive payments, SSA treats you as if you filed at 68—reducing your benefit by 4%. That “free” $18,000–$20,000 could cost you thousands more over the course of your retirement. Sometimes it's worth it, but many people take the lump sum without realizing the long-term cost. 4. Under-Withholding Today May Lead to Regret Tomorrow Here's a situation I see far too often: retirees who start taking Social Security, forget to set up federal tax withholding, and then get a surprise bill come tax season. Unlike pensions or employer paychecks, Social Security doesn't automatically withhold taxes unless you fill out a separate form (Form W-4V). If you don't do this and your Social Security income is taxable, you could owe hundreds—or thousands—at tax time. Take the time to set up appropriate withholding levels. SSA allows you to choose from 7%, 10%, 12%, or 22%.  5. Medicare IRMAA and the Two-Year Lookback When you hit age 65 and enroll in Medicare, your premiums for Part B (and possibly Part D) can go up significantly if your income from two years ago was high. This IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount) surcharge can sneak up on you—especially if you had a one-time event like a Roth conversion, large capital gain, or business sale. If you had a significant drop in income due to retirement, job loss, or other life event, you can appeal your IRMAA using a life-changing event form (SSA-44). I've helped dozens of clients successfully reduce th...

A comprehensive discussion on Medicare, led by Steve Gurney from Positive Aging Community, with insights from panelists Michelle Thomas and Don Oellerich, Ph.D. The session covers essential information for retirees about Medicare, including eligibility, enrollment periods, costs, and the interaction between Medicare and job-based or retiree coverage. The panelists explain the four parts of Medicare: Part A (hospital insurance), Part B (medical insurance), Part D (prescription drug plans), and Part C (Medicare Advantage plans). They highlight the importance of understanding Medicare's coverage limitations, such as the lack of long-term care and routine dental or vision care, and discuss options like Medigap policies to supplement coverage. The session also addresses enrollment strategies, penalties for late enrollment, and the nuances of Medicare Advantage plans. The panelists encourage attendees to utilize resources like the Medicare Plan Finder and local State Health Insurance Assistance Programs (SHIP) for personalized counseling. The discussion concludes with a Q&A session, addressing specific concerns about federal retiree benefits, TRICARE, and in-home care services under Medicare.Don Oellerich, Ph.D. Medicare Counselor, Arlington County's State Health Insurance Assistance Program Michelle Thomas, MPA Program Coordinator, Arlington Virginia Insurance Counseling and Assistance ProgramSlidedeck External-Transportation-FAQ.pdfFlyer Arlington VICAP Medicare FEHB Fact Sheet - June 2025.pdfView recording at https://www.retirementlivingsourcebook.com/videos/what-we-should-all-know-about-medicare

Keep track of your AEP prep to-do checklist with help from Ritter's certification center and Ritter Blog weekly roundups. Listen to find out how to access carrier AHIP, NABIP, MA and PDP certification, product training details, and more!   Read the text version   Resources: eBooks & Guides for Insurance Agents: https://ritterim.com/guides/ FAQs About NABIP Medicare Certification: https://ritterim.com/blog/faqs-about-nabip-medicare-certification/ Ritter Insurance Marketing Certification Center: https://docs.ritterim.com/products/certification/ What Is AHIP Certification and How Do I Get It? https://lnk.to/asg672   References: “Medicare Advantage Certification.” NABIP.Org, NABIP, www.nabiptraining.org/nabip/medicare. Accessed 30 May 2025. “Medicare + Fraud, Waste, and Abuse Training.” Ahip.Org, AHIP, www.ahip.org/courses/medicare-fraud-waste-and-abuse-training. Accessed 30 May 2025. “Miramar:Agent.” Miramar-Agent.Com, Miramar, miramar-agent.com/KnowledgeBase/Article?kb=5. Accessed 30 May 2025. “Medicare Certification System.” Pinpointglobal.Com, Pinpoint Global, www.pinpointglobal.com/medicare-certification-system. Accessed 30 May 2025.   Follow Us on Social! Ritter on Facebook, https://www.facebook.com/RitterIM Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/ritter.insurance.marketing/ LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/company/ritter-insurance-marketing TikTok, https://www.tiktok.com/@ritterim X, https://x.com/RitterIM and YouTube, https://www.youtube.com/user/RitterInsurance     Sarah on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjrueppel/ Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thesarahjrueppel/ and Threads, https://www.threads.net/@thesarahjrueppel  Tina on LinkedIn, https://www.linkedin.com/in/tina-lamoreux-6384b7199/   Not affiliated with or endorsed by Medicare or any government agency. Contact the Agent Survival Guide Podcast! Email us ASGPodcast@Ritterim.com or call 1-717-562-7211 and leave a voicemail.

Les footballeurs parlent aux footballeurs ! « Rothen s'enflamme », le rendez-vous des passionnés du ballon rond revient pour une deuxième saison !

In this Episode of the Secure Your Retirement Podcast, Radon and Murs discuss the important and often confusing world of Medicare Part D with Medicare expert Shawn Southard. With the implementation of the Inflation Reduction Act Medicare provisions in 2025, significant updates have changed the way Medicare drug coverage works, especially for those nearing or already in retirement. Whether you're currently working and covered by an employer plan or about to transition to Medicare, this episode breaks down exactly what you need to know to avoid unnecessary costs and lifelong penalties.Listen in to learn about how Medicare Part D changes affect your coverage decisions, how employer coverage and Medicare interact, and why understanding creditable drug coverage is now more crucial than ever. Shawn also discusses HSA and Medicare rules, key timelines for enrollment, and strategies to avoid the dreaded Medicare late enrollment penalty. This is a must-listen for anyone planning to retire comfortably while staying informed and protected when it comes to their Medicare Part D options.In this episode, find out:· What exactly Medicare Part D covers and how it works.· How the Inflation Reduction Act Medicare provisions lower out-of-pocket drug costs.· What "creditable" drug coverage means and how to know if your employer plan qualifies.· When and how to enroll in Part D to avoid Medicare penalties.· How HSA and Medicare rules impact your decision to delay enrollment.Tweetable Quotes:“With Medicare Part D changes, what used to be a no-brainer may now require a complete reevaluation.” – Murs Tariq“Missing a 63-day window could mean a lifetime of penalties—knowing your coverage status is critical.” – Radon StancilResources:If you are in or nearing retirement and you want to gain clarity on what questions you should be asking, learn what the biggest retirement myths are, and identify what you can do to achieve peace of mind for your retirement, get started today by requesting our complimentary video course, Four Steps to Secure Your Retirement!To access the course, simply visit POMWealth.net/podcast.