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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August 4, 2026 · 6 min readHow ACA Subsidies Actually Work in 2026
Premium tax credits, the benchmark Silver plan, and the cost-sharing reductions most people never claim. Here's how Marketplace subsidies are calculated — in plain numbers.
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August 5, 2026 · 5 min readBronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum — Which Metal Tier Is Right for You?
Metal tiers describe how you and the plan split costs, not quality of care. Here's when Bronze wins, when Silver is the only right answer, and who should pay up for Gold.
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August 6, 2026 · 5 min readMissed Open Enrollment? Special Enrollment Periods That Still Let You In
Marriage, a move, a new baby, or losing job coverage opens a 60-day door into the Marketplace. Here's the full list of qualifying events and the proof you'll need.
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August 7, 2026 · 6 min readLosing Job Coverage: Marketplace vs. COBRA
COBRA keeps your exact plan at full price. A subsidized Marketplace plan often costs a fraction of it. Here's how to compare the two before your 60 days run out.
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August 8, 2026 · 6 min readSelf-Employed Health Insurance: What a 1099 Earner Should Know
Variable income, the self-employed health insurance deduction, and how to estimate a year you can't predict. A practical guide for freelancers and small LLC owners.
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August 9, 2026 · 5 min readHow to Estimate Income for a Marketplace Application
MAGI, household size, and the year-end reconciliation that surprises people. Estimate too low and you repay; too high and you overpay all year. Here's how to get it close.
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August 10, 2026 · 5 min readAre My Doctors and Prescriptions Covered? Check Before You Enroll
Two plans with the same premium can differ by thousands once you check the network and the formulary. Fifteen minutes of verification before you enroll.
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August 11, 2026 · 5 min readHMO vs. PPO vs. EPO on the Marketplace
Three or four letters decide whether you need referrals and what happens out of network. Here's what each plan type means for your doctors and your premium.
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August 12, 2026 · 5 min readShort-Term Medical vs. ACA Marketplace: When a Bridge Plan Makes Sense
Short-term plans are cheap because they're a different product. Here's exactly where a bridge plan is the right call — and where it will cost you dearly.
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August 13, 2026 · 6 min readFamily Coverage Options: Marketplace, Employer Plan, or a Split?
The family glitch fix, CHIP and PeachCare, and why splitting a household across two plans is often the cheapest way to keep everyone with their doctors.
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