Plain English.
Articles on Medicare, IRMAA, ACA Marketplace, and small-business benefits — written without the jargon.
June 19, 2026 · 6 min readIRMAA: The Medicare Surcharge Nobody Told You About
She sounds like your favorite aunt. She acts like a tax. Meet IRMAA — the income-based Medicare surcharge that quietly raises your Part B and Part D premiums two years after a big income year.
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June 20, 2026 · 5 min readMedicare Parts A, B, C, D — Explained Without the Alphabet Soup
A is hospital, B is doctor, C is the bundled alternative, D is drugs. Everything else is a footnote. Here's the plain-English version of every Medicare part — and where Medigap fits in.
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June 21, 2026 · 7 min readMedicare Advantage vs. Medigap: Which One Actually Fits You?
The single biggest Medicare decision, with the sales pitch removed. Honest tradeoffs, a side-by-side comparison, and a checklist to help you pick the road that fits your life.
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June 22, 2026 · 6 min readWhen to Enroll in Medicare (Without Getting Hit by a Late Penalty)
The seven-month window. The Medigap deadline most people miss. The COBRA trap. Everything you need to know about Medicare enrollment timing — and the penalties that follow you for life if you get it wrong.
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June 23, 2026 · 6 min readDoes Medicare Cover That? Dental, Vision, Hearing, and Other Surprises
Dental. Vision. Hearing aids. Long-term care. Care abroad. The gaps people only discover at the dentist's office — and how to fill them on purpose instead of by accident.
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June 24, 2026 · 6 min readHow Much Does Medicare Actually Cost in 2026?
Real dollar amounts for Parts A, B, D, Medigap, and Advantage — plus where IRMAA fits in. A realistic monthly picture of what Medicare will actually run you in retirement.
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July 12, 2026 · 6 min readStill Working at 65? What to Do About Medicare and Your Employer Plan
Employer size decides everything. The HSA rule that surprises everyone. The COBRA trap. Here's what to do about Medicare when you're still working past 65 — without triggering a lifetime penalty.
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July 24, 2026 · 6 min readMedicare vs. Medicaid — What They Are, Who Qualifies, and How They Work Together
Same first six letters, very different programs. Here's the plain-English guide to who qualifies for each, what each one covers, and the 'dual-eligible' combination most people never hear about.
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July 25, 2026 · 5 min readHow to Avoid the Part D Late-Enrollment Penalty (And What to Do If You Already Owe One)
The Part D penalty is small, permanent, and easy to avoid. Here's how it's calculated, the one-page letter that clears it, and the trap that catches almost every COBRA and retiree-plan client.
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July 26, 2026 · 5 min readWhen Is Medicare Primary vs. Secondary to Employer Insurance?
The 20-employee rule decides which plan pays first — and getting it wrong can leave you with surprise bills. Here's how Medicare primary/secondary rules work.
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July 26, 2026 · 6 min readMedicare Coordination of Benefits Explained
How do two health plans work together? Learn how coordination of benefits decides which insurance pays first — and how to avoid denied claims.
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July 26, 2026 · 6 min readShould I Keep Employer Insurance When I Turn 65?
Turning 65 doesn't mean you have to drop employer coverage. Here's how to decide whether to stay on your group plan or switch to Medicare.
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