The Willink Group Blog

One of the biggest concerns people have when changing Medicare plans has nothing to do with premiums or deductibles. It’s this: “Will I still be able to see my doctor?” And honestly, it’s a really important question. When you’ve spent years building trust with a specialist, whether it’s a cardiologist, oncologist, neurologist, or someone helping you manage a chronic condition, the last thing you want is to lose access to that relationship because of an insurance change. The t

A lot of people assume their Medicare premiums are fixed once they retire. Then they get the bill. Suddenly their Medicare Part B premium is much higher than expected, and they start wondering what happened. In many cases, the answer comes down to something called IRMAA. IRMAA stands for Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. It’s an additional charge added to your Medicare Part B and Part D premiums if your income is above certain thresholds. And here’s the important part

5 Common Mistakes People Make When Choosing a Medicare Plan And how to avoid them so you can feel confident in your coverage. Choosing a Medicare plan can feel like a maze—there are a lot of moving parts, and the fine print doesn’t always make things easy. Over the years, we’ve helped hundreds of folks navigate Medicare, and we’ve seen a few common mistakes pop up again and again. Here are five of the most frequent missteps—and what you can do to steer clear of them. 1. Only

How Do I Enroll in Medicare? (A Simple Guide for When You’re Turning 65) Turning 65 is a milestone. It marks the time when you become eligible for Medicare, and for a lot of people, that brings up one big question: How do I actually enroll? The good news? It’s probably easier than you think. But there are a few important things to know to make sure you don’t miss a step or a deadline. So let’s walk through the process together. Step 1: Know When to Enroll You have a seven-mon

What changed and what you can do about it This is one of the most frustrating situations people run into with Medicare. Everything is working fine. You go to the pharmacy, pick up your prescription, pay your normal copay, and move on with your day. No issues. Then the new year rolls around. You go to refill the exact same medication and suddenly the price is higher. Or worse, you’re told it’s not covered at all. And the first question is always the same:“Why did this change?

Why your Medicare premium might go up even if you’re “retired” A lot of people are caught off guard when their Medicare premium goes up. They’ll say something like,“I’m retired now. My income is actually lower than it used to be. Why am I paying more for Medicare?” It’s a fair question. And in most cases, the answer comes down to something called IRMAA. IRMAA stands for Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount. It’s an additional charge added to your Medicare Part B and Part

Life changes like marriage or divorce can feel exciting and emotional. But when you have Medicare, these milestones can also affect your coverage or your premiums in ways you might not expect. Let’s walk through what happens so you can plan ahead with confidence. Marriage and Medicare If you get married after enrolling in Medicare, your coverage itself does not change. Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) and Part B (medical insurance) stay exactly the same for you. Where mar

Living with diabetes means regular doctor visits, lab work, prescriptions, and careful attention to your health. When you become eligible for Medicare, choosing the right coverage can make a big difference in how well you manage your care and control your costs. Medicare offers a few different paths, and while that gives you flexibility, it can also make the decision feel a little overwhelming. If you have diabetes, here’s how to approach it. Original Medicare vs. Medicare Ad

As we head into 2026, there are a number of updates to Medicare that everyone on Medicare should know about. Some of these changes affect your monthly costs, others could change how you plan for care, and a few may affect how your drug coverage works. Understanding what’s new can help you avoid surprises and get the most out of your benefits. Part B Premiums and Deductibles Increase One of the most important changes for 2026 is an increase in the Medicare Part B premium and d

For many years, people on Medicare dreaded the “donut hole.” That was a phase in Medicare Part D drug coverage where your costs could spike partway through the year. You might have paid a regular copay early in the year, only to find yourself paying a much larger share of your prescription costs once you hit that gap. In 2025, Medicare removed the traditional donut hole and replaced it with a system designed to limit how much you pay out of pocket for prescription drugs each

If you’re turning 65 and already have health coverage through the military, the VA, or a retiree health plan, you might be wondering what happens when Medicare enters the picture. Do you need to enroll? Will your existing coverage go away? Do the two work together? The short answer is yes, in many cases, Medicare can work alongside these other plans. But the way they work together depends on the type of coverage you have. Let’s walk through the most common situations. TRICARE

If you’re planning a move to a new state, there’s a lot to think about—new address, new doctors, maybe even a new lifestyle. But one question we hear often is: What happens to my Medicare when I move? The good news is, Medicare coverage travels with you. But depending on the type of plan you have, you may need to take a few steps to update or change your coverage. Here’s what to know before the moving truck pulls out of the driveway. If you have Original Medicare (Parts A and

There’s something about this season that reminds us to pause. To slow down, even just for a few minutes, and notice the good. Thanksgiving isn’t about the perfect meal or the full house or the perfect words. It’s about gratitude. And while life rarely feels simple these days, taking a moment to reflect can bring more peace than we expect. This year, we invite you to try something small, but meaningful: a guided gratitude list. Use it around the dinner table. Save it for a qui

If you're turning 65 soon or already enrolled in Medicare, this time of year is a good moment to hit pause, take stock, and make sure everything is squared away for the year ahead. It doesn’t need to be complicated—just a quick review to make sure your coverage still fits your needs. Here’s a simple checklist to guide you through it. Review your coverage for the new year If you already enrolled or made changes during the fall enrollment window, your new plan will go into effe

It happens more often than you’d think. You start the year with a Medicare drug plan that covers your needs just fine. Then your doctor prescribes something new. Or one of your medications suddenly gets more expensive. Or you realize your plan no longer covers a drug you’ve been taking for years. So the natural question becomes:“Can I switch my Medicare Part D plan in the middle of the year?” The answer is: sometimes. But not always. Medicare Part D Plans Are Typically Locked

October 15 through December 7 might be more important than you think. You want to be sure your Medicare plan still fits your needs — but...

Healthcare from the comfort of home? It’s more possible than ever. You want to stay on top of your health, but getting to the doctor’s...

Let’s face it — healthcare isn’t just about treating illness anymore. It’s about staying well in the first place. So it’s fair to ask:...

Getting to a doctor’s appointment isn’t always as simple as hopping in the car. Not everyone drives. Some folks live out in the country....

You open the envelope, expecting a routine update from Medicare. But instead of a paid claim, you see a notice that something wasn’t...