📍Serving Houston, TX & surrounding areas
Medicare In A Nutshell
A non-government Medicare resource
powered by SMRTPlanning,
a retirement and healthcare planning office.
Your 7-month Enrollment Window
When you turn 65, Medicare gives you a 7-month Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) to sign up. It starts 3 months before your birthday month and ends 3 months after.
This window matters more than most people realize. The decisions you make — or don't make — during this period affect your coverage costs for years to come.
⚠️ Miss your Part B enrollment window and you'll pay a 10% surcharge on your premium for every 12-month period you were eligible but didn't enroll. That penalty never goes away.
Our independent advisors have walked thousands of people through this exact transition. We know the deadlines, the exceptions, and the strategies that make the difference between a confident enrollment and an expensive mistake.
The 5 Questions We Hear Most from People Turning 65
After years of guiding Houston and San Antonio families through Medicare, these are the questions that come up in every single workshop. Sound familiar?
Q: "Should I take Medicare now or stay on my employer plan?"
It depends on the size of your employer and the quality of your current coverage. We'll compare the numbers side by side so you can decide with confidence.
Q: "What's the difference between Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage?"
Medicare Supplement lets you see almost any doctor with predictable costs. Medicare Advantage bundles coverage through a private insurer with a network. Neither is universally better — it depends on your health, doctors, and budget.
Q: "Will my current doctors accept my new Medicare plan?"
Not every plan covers every doctor. Before you choose anything, we help you verify your specific doctors are covered so there are no surprises after you enroll.
Q: "What about my prescriptions?"
The same medication can cost dramatically different amounts depending on which Part D plan you choose. We review your prescriptions against every plan available in your ZIP code before you commit.
Q: "Am I going to pay more because of my income?"
In 2026, if your income (MAGI) was above $109,000 (individual) or $218,000 (married filing jointly) two years ago, you may face IRMAA surcharges. We'll help you understand whether this applies to you.
What Happens at a Free Workshop?
Our free 45-minute workshops are held at your local public library in Houston and San Antonio. No salespeople. No pressure. Just clear, honest information from licensed, independent advisors who work for you — not for an insurance company.
Here's what we cover:
-
What Medicare Part A and Part B actually cover
-
The difference between Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage
-
How and when to enroll — and what happens if you wait Prescription drug coverage (Part D) explained plainly
-
How to keep your current doctors
-
What your plan options look like in your specific ZIP code
You'll leave with a clear picture of your options
and a plan for what to do next — all in under an hour.
Why Is This Free?
We're independent, licensed Medicare advisors. When you enroll in
a plan through us, the insurance company pays us a commission — at
no extra cost to you. Your premium is exactly the same whether you
work with us or go it alone. The difference is you get a local
expert in your corner who knows the Houston and San Antonio markets
inside and out.
We have no quotas, no preferred plans, and no incentive to
recommend anything other than what's genuinely best for you.