FREE RESOURCE HUB

Learn how health coverage works and why protecting your family financially is so important. This resource page offers clear, easy-to-understand information to help you make informed choices about insurance, benefits, and long-term security—because understanding your options is the first step to peace of mind.

Understanding Medicare Basics

What Is Medicare?

Happy retired couple sharing a meal, feeling secure with their insurance coverage

Medicare is a government health program for people age 65 and older, or for younger people with specific disabilities.

It helps cover the cost of:

Hospital care (Part A)
Doctor visits and outpatient care (Part B)

Together, Parts A and B are collectively referred to as Original Medicare. But Medicare doesn’t cover everything, which is why many people add extra plans like:

Part C (Medicare Advantage) – all-in-one plans from private companies
Part D – prescription drug coverage
Supplement Plans (Medigap) – help with out-of-pocket costs

Medicare has enrollment periods, so it’s essential to sign up on time to avoid late penalties.

√ Key Takeaway: Medicare helps with health costs as you age, but there are different parts. Understanding how they work is the first step to making wise choices.

Medicare Part A

Medicare Part A is your hospital insurance. It helps pay for:

Hospital stays (inpatient care)
Skilled nursing facility care (after a hospital stay)
Hospice care for terminal illness
Some home health care

For most people, Part A is free if you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years.

But keep in mind:

There’s a deductible you must pay if you’re admitted to the hospital
It does not cover long-term care or private-duty nursing

√ Key Takeaway: Medicare Part A helps cover hospital-related care, usually at no monthly cost, but you may still have deductibles and limits.

Medicare Part B

Medicare Part B is your medical insurance. It helps pay for:

Doctor visits
Outpatient care (like X-rays or lab tests)
Preventive care (like screenings and flu shots)
Some medical equipment (like walkers or wheelchairs)

Unlike Part A, Part B has a monthly premium. In 2025, most people pay a standard amount, but it may be higher if your income is above average.

You’ll also have:

A deductible to pay each year
Coinsurance (usually 20%) after the deductible

√ If you don’t sign up for Part B when you’re first eligible, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty every month for as long as you're enrolled.

√ Key Takeaway: Part B helps with doctor visits and outpatient care. It has a monthly cost, so make sure you sign up on time to avoid penalties.

Medicare Part C

Medicare Part C, also known as Medicare Advantage, is a comprehensive alternative to Original Medicare. Private companies approved by Medicare offer these plans.

They include everything Part A and Part B cover—and often more, like:

Dental, vision, and hearing benefits
Prescription drug coverage (many plans include Part D)
Gym memberships or transportation to appointments
Special plans for people with chronic conditions

You still need to pay your Part B premium, and some Advantage plans have an additional premium; however, many are $0, depending on your location.

√ You’ll usually need to use doctors in the plan’s network, and your out-of-pocket costs can vary.

√ Key Takeaway: Part C offers additional benefits in a single plan. It’s suitable for those who want more coverage and are okay with provider networks.

Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D helps pay for the medications you need. It’s offered by private insurance companies approved by Medicare and can be added to Original Medicare or included in some Medicare Advantage plans.

Taking action now means you won’t face high out-of-pocket costs later or miss out on essential prescriptions.

√ Medicare Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs, so you won’t be burdened with high medication expenses or unexpected bills later.

Medigap

Medigap (also known as Medicare Supplement Insurance) helps cover the “gaps” in Original Medicare, such as deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance.

Here’s how it works:

You must have Original Medicare (Parts A and B) to get a Medigap plan
Medigap is not the same as Medicare Advantage
Plans are sold by private companies, and are labeled by letters (like Plan G or Plan N)
These plans don’t include drug coverage—you’ll need a separate Part D plan

The best time to enroll is during your Medigap Open Enrollment Period (the 6 months after you turn 65 and enroll in Part B)—you can’t be denied or charged more due to health conditions during that time.

√ Key Takeaway: Medigap helps you pay less out-of-pocket with Original Medicare. Select the plan that best suits your budget and medical needs.

Doctor’s stethoscope next to a Medicare document on a desk

Now that you understand your options:

Review your current coverage (if any)
Speak with a licensed advisor (like Maya or Martina)
Choose a simple plan to protect your family
Keep records in a safe, easy-to-access place

Maximizing Your Health Benefits

Review Your Current Coverage

Before you can maximize your benefits, it’s essential to understand what you already have. Start by gathering your current health plan documents—whether it’s Medicare Advantage, Original Medicare with a supplement, or another plan type.

Ask yourself:

· What services are covered? (Doctor visits, hospital stays, lab work?)

· Are dental, vision, or hearing benefits included?

· What are your out-of-pocket costs (premiums, deductibles, copays)?

· Do you have prescription drug coverage, and does it meet your needs?

Many people don’t realize they’re missing out on essential benefits simply because they haven’t reviewed their plan in a while. Plans change annually, and so do your health needs—so it’s critical to stay informed.

√ Key takeaway: Know your coverage. The first step in maximizing your plan is understanding where you stand today.

Explore Additional Benefits

Once you understand your current coverage, the next step is to find out what else is available to you. Many Medicare Advantage plans and special needs plans offer extra benefits that Original Medicare doesn’t cover.

Here are some examples of commonly included or add-on benefits:

· Dental care (cleanings, fillings, dentures)

· Vision care (eye exams, glasses, or contacts)

· Hearing benefits (hearing tests, aids)

· Fitness programs (SilverSneakers or gym memberships)

· Over-the-counter (OTC) allowances

· Transportation to appointments

· Wellness and chronic care management programs

You may already be eligible for some of these benefits without even realizing it. Reviewing plan options during the Annual Enrollment Period or with the help of a licensed agent can uncover valuable opportunities.

√ Key takeaway: You could be eligible for extra services that improve your quality of life—don’t miss out!

Find Ways to Save

Maximizing your benefits also means making your coverage more affordable. Many people are eligible for programs that help pay for premiums, prescriptions, or co-pays, but are unaware of them.

Here are a few ways you might be able to save:

· Extra Help (LIS) – Lowers drug costs for people with limited income

· Medicaid savings programs – Help pay for Medicare Part B premiums and more

· Plan comparison – Some Medicare Advantage plans have $0 premiums or better prescription drug coverage

· Switching to in-network providers – Saves on out-of-pocket costs

· Preventive services – Often free, and help you avoid higher medical bills later

You don’t have to figure it all out alone. Licensed advisors, like us, can walk you through your options and help you find what’s best for your needs and budget, all at no cost to you.

√ Key takeaway: Smart planning can help reduce your expenses and increase your access to care.

Protecting Your Future Income

Building Reliable Income for Retirement

Elderly couple happily setting up insurance coverage on a computer

Why Guaranteed Income Matters

Many people worry about the risk of outliving their savings during retirement. Unlike a paycheck from a job, retirement income can be unpredictable, as it is affected by market fluctuations and unexpected expenses. That’s why having a reliable income source you can count on every month is so important.

A guaranteed income provides peace of mind—it acts like a paycheck you cannot outlive, helping to cover essentials like housing, food, and healthcare. This financial stability allows you to focus on enjoying retirement without constant financial worries.

√ Key takeaway: Understanding the importance of a steady income is the first step to protecting your financial future.

Senior couple happily discussing and organizing their insurance coverage together

How to Turn Savings into Steady Income

Some strategies allow you to convert part of your savings into a consistent monthly income stream. These options give you control over how much you receive and when, helping you avoid spending your nest egg too quickly.

Some methods include:

Setting up a lifetime income plan through financial products designed to pay you regularly
Choosing payout options that fit your needs, such as income for life, or income for a set number of years with a beneficiary.

By exploring these choices, you can tailor a plan that fits your lifestyle and financial goals.

√ Key takeaway: Turning savings into a steady income can help you budget confidently and reduce the risk of running out of money.

Grandparents happily spending time with grandchildren on the couch

Combine Social Security with Lifetime Income

Social Security is a critical part of many retirees’ income, but often it’s not enough to cover all expenses. Lifetime income options can work alongside Social Security to provide additional financial security.

Knowing how these income streams fit together lets you maximize your monthly resources and plan smarter. For example, delaying Social Security benefits can increase your monthly payments, which you can combine with a steady income from other sources.

√ Key takeaway: A well-rounded income plan blends guaranteed sources to support your lifestyle throughout retirement.

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Navigating Final

Expense Planning

What Are Final Expenses?

Understand Final Expenses

Final expenses are the costs that come after someone passes away, like:

Funeral or cremation services
Burial or urn costs
Memorial arrangements
Unpaid medical bills or small debts

These costs can quickly add up to $7,000–$15,000 or more.

√ Step 1 Summary: Final expenses are real and often unexpected. Planning ahead takes the burden off your family.

Know What’s Not Covered

Many people believe that Social Security or Medicare will cover funeral costs, but this is not the case.

Social Security offers only a one-time $255 death benefit if eligible
Medicare does not cover burial or funeral expenses
Family members are often left to cover the costs out of pocket

√ Step 2 Summary: Government programs provide minimal assistance. That’s why planning matters.

Explore Your Planning Options

There are simple ways to plan:

Final Expense Plans – set aside money specifically for funeral or medical costs
Prepaid Funeral Arrangements – work directly with a funeral home·
Savings or Trusts – not always protected or easy to access quickly

Final expense solutions are typically easy to qualify for, even with pre-existing health issues, and can cost as little as $20–$50 per month.

√ Step 3 Summary: You have affordable planning options available. Pick what fits your needs and family situation.

Talk With Loved Ones

Discussing these things isn’t easy, but it makes a big difference later. Let your family know:

What your wishes are (burial, cremation, etc.)
If you’ve made arrangements
Where documents or policies are kept

√ Step 4 Summary: Talking about it now saves your family stress and confusion later.

Take Action and Get Peace of Mind