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πServing Houston, TX & surrounding areas
Medicare In A Nutshell
A non-government Medicare resource
powered by SMRTPlanning,
a retirement and healthcare planning office.β
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COBRA vs Medicare
When you leave a job, COBRA seems like the obvious choice β keep your
current coverage, no interruption, no new decisions. But if you're 65 or
older, choosing COBRA over Medicare could be one of the most expensive
mistakes you make. Here's why. coverage, no interruption, no new decisions. But if you're 65 or older, choosing
COBRA over Medicare could be one of the most expensive mistakes you make.
Here's what you need to know before you decide.

Admin
6 days ago0 min read
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What Does Medicare NOT Cover?
Medicare covers a lot β but it doesn't cover everything. And the gaps it
leaves can be surprisingly expensive. Knowing what's not covered before you
enroll is just as important as knowing what is. Here's what Medicare doesn't
pay for and how to protect yourself.

Admin
Jul 150 min read
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How to Check If Your Doctor Accepts Medicare
One of the most important questions to ask before choosing a Medicare plan:
will my current doctors still be covered? The answer depends on which type
of plan you choose. Here's a step-by-step guide to verifying your providers
before you enroll.

Admin
Jul 10 min read
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What Is IRMAA?
If your income is above a certain threshold, Medicare will charge you more for your Part B and Part D premiums. This extra charge is called IRMAA β and many people don't find out about it until their first Medicare bill arrives. Here's what it is, who it affects, and what you can do about it.

Admin
Jun 150 min read
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5 Medicare Mistakes Houston Retirees Make
After years of guiding Houston families through Medicare, we've seen the same costly mistakes come up again and again. The good news: every single one of them is completely avoidable. Here are the five we see most often β and exactly how to make sure they don't happen to you.
futurityfirstinfo
Jun 10 min read
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Medicare Supplement vs Medicare Advantage: Which Is Right for Houston Residents?
It's the question we hear most at every Medicare workshop: Should I get a
Supplement or an Advantage plan? Both are legitimate options β but they work
very differently. Here's a plain-language comparison to help you decide which
path is right for you.

Admin
May 180 min read
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What Is the Medicare Initial Enrollment Period β and What Happens If You Miss It?
When you turn 65, Medicare gives you a 7-month window to enroll. Miss it β
and you could face a permanent penalty added to your premium for the rest
of your life. Here's what the Initial Enrollment Period is, why it matters,
and what to do before your window closes.

Admin
May 180 min read
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Tax Bills Coming
As the year ends, we turn our focus on our family, holidays, and the new year. But as the year comes to a close, we also start thinking...
futurityfirstinfo
Mar 27, 20232 min read
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Long Term Care
Each month we get questions from people about solutions for Long Term Care (LTC). It's a good thing to be concerned with, as...
futurityfirstinfo
Feb 20, 20231 min read
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I Need Some Sun!
As more of us get the COVID-19 vaccine, we are hoping to make up for the vacations we had to postpone this past year. There are plenty of...
futurityfirstinfo
Feb 13, 20231 min read
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Therapy Coverage
We've had many questions in regards to therapy, coverages for therapy, and gaps in this coverage. Let's clarify the cloud surrounding...
futurityfirstinfo
Feb 6, 20231 min read
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What Is A Reverse Mortgage?
Many Americans facing retirement would love to increase their monthly income. Fortunately, there is a way that homeowners can use their...
futurityfirstinfo
Jan 30, 20233 min read
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Know Your Providers
We've heard horror stories from clients that have Medicare and a Medigap plan about getting large bills for services received from...
futurityfirstinfo
Jan 23, 20232 min read
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Support from CMS
After the past snowstorm that most of Texas had to endure, CMS, the centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has announced that they...
futurityfirstinfo
Jan 16, 20232 min read
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Have We Hit The Bottom?
The uptick in the bond yield is indicating that the interest rate low has hit bottom. Yields have jumped 90 bases points in February, and...
futurityfirstinfo
Jan 9, 20231 min read
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Nutrition for a Better Immune System
We all know the drill by now: mask up, social distancing, wash hands frequently, and avoid large crowds. But in my daily readings, I have...
futurityfirstinfo
Jan 2, 20231 min read
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Information on the COVID-19 Vaccine
With the vaccines becoming more and more available to the public, we would like to inform you more about how to help slow the spread of...
futurityfirstinfo
Dec 26, 20221 min read
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Time Frame For OEP
The 3-month window of OEP, Jan 1st until March 31st, is a time for people that may think they are stuck in the Advantage Plan that they...
futurityfirstinfo
Dec 19, 20221 min read
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The Short and Long
I am sure you have heard of short and long, and no I don't mean the terms of measurement or during the backyard football games. I'm...
futurityfirstinfo
Dec 12, 20222 min read
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Comparing Apples to Apples...or Oranges
Fortunate over the years to be able to help thousands of people. Many of these clients are still employed. In fact, one of the original...
futurityfirstinfo
Dec 5, 20221 min read
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