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If you have Medicare, you’ve probably heard about different times of the year when you can change your coverage. Two of the most commonly confused are the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. They sound similar, but they are not the same thing. Understanding the difference can help you avoid missing an opportunity to make an important change to your Medicare coverage. Medicare Annual Enrollment Period The Annual Enrollment Perio

One of the biggest misconceptions about long-term care insurance is that it’s only something to think about later in life. In reality, the need for long-term care isn’t determined by your age. An accident, serious illness, disability, or unexpected health event can create a need for extended care well before age 65. That’s one of the reasons I encourage people to start learning about their options before they think they'll need them. Planning ahead often provides more flexibi

If you're on Medicare and have been interested in medications like Wegovy or Zepbound for weight loss, there is some exciting news! Beginning July 1, 2026, the new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program gives certain Medicare beneficiaries access to covered GLP-1 weight-loss medications for just $50 per month. Who Can Qualify? You must have Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage and meet certain health requirements. You may qualify if: BMI of 35 or higher — no additional qualifyin

If you’re on Medicare, you’ve probably received mail that looks very official. It may say things like: “IMPORTANT: READ CAREFULLY” “RESPONSE TO THIS NOTICE IS REQUESTED” “PLEASE CALL TO CHECK YOUR ELIGIBILITY” “You may qualify for additional Medicare benefits.” The envelope or letter may even include the words Medicare Advantage, Medicare, or Medicare Support Hotline in large print. So, is it a scam? Usually, It’s Marketing — Not a Notice From Medicare, but also not a 'Scam'

As you get closer to or enter retirement, your investment priorities may begin to change. Growing your money is still important, but protecting what you've already saved can become just as important. Here are five options seniors may want to consider when looking for safety and stability in retirement. 1. Certificates of Deposit (CDs) CDs offer a fixed interest rate for a specific period of time and are generally FDIC insured when held at an FDIC-insured bank and within appli

Medicare provides valuable health coverage, but a cancer diagnosis can bring expenses that go far beyond what your health insurance pays. Even with Medicare and additional coverage, you may face costs related to deductibles, copays, coinsurance, transportation, lodging, meals, household expenses, and other needs during treatment. That’s where cancer insurance can help. Cancer policies are designed to provide additional financial protection if you're diagnosed with a covered c

One of the biggest misconceptions I hear about Medicare is that it will pay for long term care if you eventually need help taking care of yourself. It won't. Medicare may cover certain short-term skilled nursing or home health services when specific requirements are met, but it does not pay for ongoing custodial care, and help with everyday activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, or using the bathroom. And long term care can be expensive. Without a plan in place, the co

Medicare can feel like an alphabet soup at first — Part A, Part B, Part C, and then there’s Part D. So, what exactly is Part D? Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage. If you have Original Medicare, you can purchase a stand-alone Part D plan from a private insurance company to help cover your medications. One thing Medicare Melanie always reminds her clients about is that Part D plans are not all the same. A plan that works perfectly for your neighbor may be a terrible

If you’re new to Medicare, you may quickly discover that Original Medicare doesn’t pay 100% of your healthcare costs. That’s where a Medicare Supplement plan, also called Medigap, can help. Medicare Supplement plans work alongside Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to help pay some of the costs Medicare leaves behind, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance. One of the biggest reasons people choose a Medicare Supplement is predictability. Depending on the plan you sel