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These blog posts are an educational resource. Medicare has neither reviewed nor endorsed this information. It is not connected with or endorsed by the United States government or the federal Medicare program. Contacting me will connect you to a licensed broker who is trained and certified to help you review the plan options available in your area. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1–800–MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program to get information on all of your options.

Why my Services Don't Cost You a Dime (or, How I Get Paid)

Let's get right to the point: Using my services as an independent local agent doesn't cost you a thing. Period. Quite often when I'm...

Tom Cianflone

Jun 16, 20222 min read

Everything is free, free, free! (But, not really...)

Just a reminder: Do not be taken in by these TV ad come-ons to get you to call a toll-free number to get "everything free" in some magic...

Tom Cianflone

Jan 14, 20212 min read

The Value of the 5 Star SEP

If you are on a Medicare Advantage plan (MA plan, aka, Part C), you know that Medicare rules dictate when you can switch from one plan to another. The most widely known MA enrollment periods are the annual enrollment period (AEP) and the Medicare Advantage open enrollment period (OEP). For more information about them, see my blog posts All About AEP and All About Medicare Advantage OEP . Beyond those annually recurring enrollment periods, there are special enrollment periods

Tom Cianflone

Nov 28, 20252 min read

2026 Medicare Rates Announced

On November 14, 2025 , CMS (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services) announced the Medicare rates for 2026 as follows: The Part B monthly premium base rate in 2026 will be $ 202.90 ( up $17.90 from $185.00 in 2025 ). The base rate applies if your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) as reported on your IRS tax return from 2 years ago was $109,000 or less if you filed your taxes individually or $218,000 or less if you filed your taxes jointly. If your MAGI was higher, your

Tom Cianflone

Nov 14, 20251 min read

Broward County Medicare Insights 2026

Between July and September of each year, independent agents like me are busy re-certifying with the insurance carriers they represent and...

Tom Cianflone

Oct 1, 20253 min read

How Medicare Part D Drug Plans Work in 2026

This is an update to my post How Medicare Part D Drug Plans Work in 2025 . Part D drug plans were dramatically redesigned starting in 2025 largely due to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 . The most dramatic changes were the elimination of the coverage gap (donut hole) drug coverage stage and the introduction of an annual maximum out-of-pocket cap for prescription drug costs. Here's what to expect of your Part D drug plan in 2026. What is Medicare Part D and Do I Have It? M

Tom Cianflone

Aug 25, 20255 min read

You May Have a Guaranteed Issue Right to a Medicare Supplement for 2026!

There are only a handful of situations in which you can get a Medicare Supplement policy without having to pass medical underwriting. To...

Tom Cianflone

Aug 25, 20252 min read

2026: Another Tough Year for Medicare Advantage Plans

These recent headlines all tell the same story: Medicare Advantage plans are scaling back More insurers expect to pull some Medicare...

Tom Cianflone

Aug 25, 20253 min read

"Under Observation": Two Words that Could Cost You Thousands

If you get your medical benefits through Original Medicare (OM) with a Medicare supplement (MediGap plan), you need to know about the...

Tom Cianflone

Jul 23, 20253 min read

Unsolicited Calls About Medicare? Just Hang Up!

There is no shortage of agents in the Medicare business who will compromise morals, ethics, and integrity in exchange for a quick plan...

Tom Cianflone

Jul 21, 20254 min read

Why You Should Consider Ancillary Insurance Products

Ancillary insurance products provide coverage options that supplement or add to your primary Medicare health insurance plan, helping to...

Tom Cianflone

May 26, 20254 min read

Social Security Offices Now Requiring Appointments for In-Person Visits

There are changes afoot in your ability to visit a local Social Security (SS) office and speak in person with a SS agent. It used to be...

Tom Cianflone

Apr 2, 20252 min read

What to Expect of MA Plan Dental Benefits

Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are very often marketed on the strength of extra benefits not provided by Original Medicare (OM). Principal...

Tom Cianflone

Apr 1, 20257 min read

Is it Time for a Life Insurance Checkup?

Did you know? Nearly 1 in 2 US households have no life insurance coverage at all Nearly 2 in 5 in the US have a gap between current...

Tom Cianflone

Mar 13, 20252 min read

All About Special Enrollment Periods

The period from April 1st to December 31st is known to Medicare insiders as the "lock-in period" for Medicare Advantage (MA, aka Part C)...

Tom Cianflone

Mar 7, 20252 min read

Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage: The most important Medicare decision you will make!

Of all the decisions you will make when transitioning your healthcare to Medicare, none is more important than this one: Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage? This article is intended to help you reach the right decision for your individual health and financial circumstances. As with most things Medicare, more information leads to more questions, so feel free to contact me here to discuss your specific situation. It Starts With Original Medicare As a review, Original Medi

Tom Cianflone

Jan 30, 20257 min read

Getting Started with Your Medicare Coverage

So, you’re on Medicare, or you’ve changed to a new Medicare plan. Now what? Here are my tips for getting started with your Medicare coverage. Know Your Customer Service Phone Number When you get your member ID card, locate the customer service phone number on the card and enter it into your phone contacts if you’re a smartphone user or into your personal phone directory. This will make it easy to contact your plan when necessary. Create a Login Account at your Member Portal A

Tom Cianflone

Jan 6, 20253 min read