Modern Estate Planning Blog

Featuring Stuart Stackhouse, Medicare Specialist with Live Better Financial, in conversation with Elder Law Attorney Heather Chubb

Medicare is essential coverage for older adults—yet it remains one of the most confusing puzzles retirees face. To break down the basics (and look ahead at what’s coming), elder law attorney Heather Chubb invited Stuart Stackhouse, an independent Medicare broker, to answer common questions and clear up lingering myths.

What Exactly Is Medicare?

Heather Chubb: “Stuart, people hear ‘Medicare’ but don’t always know what’s included. How do you explain it?”

Stuart Stackhouse: “Medicare launched in 1965 as health insurance for people 65 and older. ‘Original Medicare’ has two parts—Part A (hospital, skilled nursing, home health, hospice) and Part B (doctors, specialists, labs, imaging, durable medical equipment, and certain infused drugs). Most people get Part A premium‑free because they paid Medicare taxes while working. Part B carries a monthly premium—$174.70 in 2024—and covers roughly 80 percent of approved costs after a small annual deductible.”

Who Can Enroll Before Age 65?

Heather: “Is Medicare strictly for folks 65 and up?”

Stuart: “Not always. Individuals under 65 can qualify after 24 months on Social Security Disability Insurance or immediately with certain conditions such as End‑Stage Renal Disease or ALS.”

How Do Costs Add Up?

• Part A requires no monthly premium for most, but hospital stays have large deductibles and daily co‑pays after day 60.
• Part B has a monthly premium and 20 percent coinsurance on most outpatient services—with no out‑of‑pocket ceiling under Original Medicare alone.

Filling the Gaps: Medigap vs. Medicare Advantage

Heather: “Twenty percent coinsurance with no cap can be scary. How do people protect themselves?”

Stuart: “They have two main choices: a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) policy or a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan.”

Medigap (also called Medigap plans)

• Standardized plans (A, B, D, G, K, L, M, N) pay part or all of Original Medicare’s deductibles and coinsurance.
• Higher monthly premium but very low out‑of‑pocket costs and freedom to see any Medicare‑accepting provider nationwide.

Medicare Advantage

• Private managed‑care plans that receive a monthly payment from Medicare to cover Part A and Part B services.
• Usually lower premiums (sometimes $0), often include extras such as dental, vision, gym memberships, and Part D drug coverage.
• Enrollees must use the plan’s network and follow its copay structure.

Stuart: “Roughly 55 percent of beneficiaries nationwide are now in Advantage plans, but it’s not one‑size‑fits‑all. Some prefer the nationwide freedom Medigap offers; others like lower monthly costs and built‑in extras.”

Common Misconceptions

Heather: “People still worry Medicare Advantage doesn’t cover everything Original Medicare does.”

Stuart: “By law, Advantage plans must cover all Part A and Part B services. The difference is how you pay—copays instead of 20 percent coinsurance—and where you get care, because networks apply.”

Looking Ahead: Is Medicare Secure?

Heather: “Clients sometimes fear Medicare could disappear. What does the future look like?”

Stuart: “The Medicare Hospital Insurance Trust Fund is projected to pay full benefits into the early 2030s, and Congress historically shores up its finances before shortfalls hit. Expect gradual premium increases and possible benefit tweaks—but not wholesale elimination.”

How to Get Personal Guidance

Heather: “Enrollment windows, plan letters—no wonder people feel puzzled. How can someone simplify all this?”

Stuart: “Start by making a personal comparison. I run a free ‘Medicare puzzle’ review: we look at your doctors, prescriptions, travel habits, and budget—then narrow options to the best fit. It only takes about 15 minutes once I know your ZIP code, medications, and provider list.”

💬 Need Medicare Answers Now?

If you’re approaching 65—or already enrolled and unsure your current plan still fits—Stuart Stackhouse can walk you through your choices and enrollment steps.

📞 Call Stuart Stackhouse at (916)  798-0869

And if you need to coordinate Medicare decisions with estate planning, long‑term‑care strategies, or asset protection, Chubb Law Firm PC is here to help.

Protect your health and your legacy—call Heather Chubb at (916) 241‑9661 to schedule a discovery meeting.

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