Medicare Planning Blog
The Giveback Benefit: A Simple Way to Reduce Your Medicare Part B Premium The cost of healthcare in retirement is a major concern for many Americans. With the standard Medicare Part B premium set at $202.90 per month for 2026, finding ways to save on…
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What Medicare Part D Must Cover: Understanding Required Drug Coverage Medicare Part D provides prescription drug coverage for people with Medicare, but many beneficiaries are surprised to learn that plans do not have to cover every prescription medication. Instead, Medicare sets specific rules that all…
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2026 Medicare Parts A & B Premiums and Deductibles: What Every Beneficiary Needs to Know Each year, Medicare updates its premiums, deductibles, and cost-sharing amounts. For 2026, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced new Medicare Part A and Part B costs…
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Choosing the Right Medicare Advantage Plan Shopping for a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be. Every plan offers a unique mix of costs, benefits, and provider access, so understanding what matters most to you is key. Below are…
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What Is TrumpRx? TrumpRx is a new federal initiative designed to give consumers access to lower prescription drug prices. Set to launch in early 2026, TrumpRx will be a government-run website where consumers can compare and purchase medications directly from participating drug manufacturers. The goal…
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Keep Your NKC Health Providers in 2026: How Medicare Planning Can Help If you receive care at NKC Health, formerly North Kansas City Hospital and Meritas Health, there are important changes to your Medicare Advantage coverage in 2026. NKC Health will no longer accept: Cigna…
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The Bill That Could Change How You Get Medicare Navigating Medicare can be a complex journey, but a new bill in Congress could completely change the landscape for future retirees. A proposed piece of legislation, H.R. 3467, aims to make Medicare Advantage the default…
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New Medicare Prior Authorization Rules Coming in 2026 Medicare is preparing for some of its biggest changes in years. Starting in 2026, both Traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans will operate under updated prior authorization rules. These changes are designed to increase transparency, speed up…
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Understanding PAYGO and Its Impact on Medicare With the passage of large federal legislation—like the One Big Beautiful Bill (H.R. 1)—there is growing concern about how it could affect Medicare. While the bill aims to reduce healthcare costs and improve transparency, it could unintentionally trigger…
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Big Savings Ahead: 2026 Medicare Drug Price Negotiations Starting January 1, 2026, Medicare beneficiaries may see meaningful savings at the pharmacy counter. Thanks to provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), Medicare will begin implementing negotiated prices on select prescription drugs—targeting those with the highest…
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