Friday, 4 September, 2026
Original Medicare pays a large portion of approved medical expenses—but not everything. Beneficiaries may still be responsible for hospital deductibles, copayments and generally 20% of Medicare-approved outpatient costs. Original Medicare also has no annual out-of-pocket limit. Medicare Supplement Insurance, commonly called “Medigap,” helps pay some of these remaining expenses. What […]
Initial Enrollment Period, 2026 costs, plan choices, and the rules that are easy to confuse The short answer: Your Initial Enrollment Period usually lasts seven months: the three months before the month you turn 65, your birthday month, and the three months after. Enroll before your birthday month when possible […]
Who Pays—And What You Must Understand Throughout this series, we explored three deeply connected questions that many families eventually face—but few are fully prepared to answer: What kind of medical care would you want if you could no longer speak for yourself? Who would make decisions on your behalf? And […]
In the summer of 1965, the United States made one of the most consequential social policy decisions in its history. With the signing of the Social Security Amendments, President Lyndon B. Johnson created two landmark programs: Medicare and Medicaid. They were designed to solve two different crises: Medicare — Health […]
A quiet policy proposal in Washington has created very loud reactions on Wall Street — and it could eventually affect the Medicare Advantage (MA) plans many seniors rely on today. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) released its 2027 Medicare Advantage Advance Notice, and while the language is […]
A January 2026 report by a U.S. Senate committee has renewed scrutiny of UnitedHealth Group and its practices within Medicare Advantage, raising questions about how the nation’s largest health insurer documents patient diagnoses and receives federal payments. At the center of the debate is whether UnitedHealth’s diagnostic and coding strategies […]
Open enrollment (Oct 15–Dec 7) is when most retirees can change coverage for the year ahead: move between Original Medicare and Medicare Advantage, add or swap a Part D drug plan, or—if eligible—buy a Medigap supplement. There’s also a Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment (Jan 1–Mar 31) for people already in […]
Every year from October 15 through December 7, people already enrolled in Medicare can review, change, or renew their coverage for the upcoming year. The choices you make during this window will take effect on January 1, 2026. This is the only time of year most beneficiaries can make changes […]
Based on readers’ interest, huutri.org has decided to provide a detailed cost breakdown to help retirees clearly understand the potential financial differences between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare with Medigap. By comparing a typical “normal year” and a “high-cost year,” this breakdown aims to guide retirees in choosing the plan […]
Choosing the right Medicare coverage is one of the most important decisions retirees will make. Should you stick with Original Medicare (Parts A & B) and add a Medigap policy, or join Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage)? For some, Medicare Advantage offers cost savings and convenience. For others — especially […]