Medicare and health

Topic hub

Medicare & Health Insurance.

Medicare is the federal insurance most adults inherit at 65. The actual decisions around it — Original vs. Advantage, which Medigap letter, when to enroll, how to navigate IRMAA — are where families lose money and coverage they didn’t know they had.

What this pillar covers.

Original Medicare vs. Medicare Advantage

The biggest first decision. Out-of-pocket math, network restrictions, when one beats the other.

Medigap & supplemental coverage

Plans F, G, N — what each covers, when they’re sold, why state rules matter.

Part D and prescription costs

Formularies, donut hole rules, and the 2026 $2,000 out-of-pocket cap.

IRMAA & high-income surcharges

When your parent’s past income raises their Medicare premium — and how to appeal it.

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

Oct 15–Dec 7 each year. What to compare, what to ignore, what to never re-enroll into.

Medicare varies by state.

We publish a medicare guide for every state where rules meaningfully differ from the federal default. Click your state to read its variant.

Caregiving Atlas state coverage