Real Easy Medicare

Welcome to True Story Tuesday on Real Easy Medicare with Al Kushner! In this episode, Al shares six authentic beneficiary stories that highlight critical Medicare insights and how informed actions make all the difference.

1. Retiree Insurance Trap
   • Martha delayed Part B, relying on retiree coverage, faced a 30% lifetime penalty and gaps because retiree plans aren’t creditable
2. Zero-Premium Surprise
   • Robert’s MA plan had no p...

Welcome to Mistake Monday on Real Easy Medicare with Al Kushner! In this episode, Al highlights the most common—and costly—Medicare mistakes from 40 years of experience, plus actionable prevention strategies.

Enrollment Errors

• Assuming automatic Medicare enrollment at 65 (you must actively enroll unless receiving Social Security)
• Delaying Part B with retiree insurance (not creditable; only active employer coverage, 20+ employees q...

Welcome to Real Easy Medicare’s Fast Friday Q&A with Al Kushner! In this episode, Al delivers rapid-fire solutions to common Medicare dilemmas—no fluff, just straightforward guidance based on 40 years of expertise.

Enrollment

• Missed Part B IEP? Enroll during General Enrollment (Jan 1–Mar 31), coverage begins July 1; 10% penalty per year delayed
• Switch MA to Original Medicare during Jan 1–Mar 31 MA OEP or Oct 15–Dec 7 OEP
• Delay ...

Welcome to Tips & Tricks Thursday on Real Easy Medicare with Al Kushner! In this rapid-fire episode, Al shares practical shortcuts and insider hacks to streamline your Medicare experience and avoid common hassles.

1. Research Efficiency
   • Enter all medications into Medicare Plan Finder for accurate cost comparisons
   • Call provider offices directly to confirm current plan participation
2. Money-Saving Moves
   • Use mail-order for ...

Welcome to Real Easy Medicare’s Wisdom Wednesday with Al Kushner! In this expert-level episode, Al reveals advanced strategies and hidden rules that only decades of Medicare experience can teach.

1. Medigap Guaranteed Rights
   • 63-day guaranteed Medigap enrollment after losing creditable coverage, even years later
   • “Trial right” to test Medicare Advantage for 12 months with risk-free return to Original Medicare
2. State-Specific Pro...

Welcome to Real Easy Medicare’s True Story Tuesday with Al Kushner! In today’s episode, Al shares five authentic beneficiary experiences—each illustrating crucial lessons about choosing and managing Medicare coverage.

1. Mary’s Advantage Trap (Ohio)
   • Opted for a zero-premium Medicare Advantage plan at 65
   • Plan didn’t cover her rheumatoid arthritis medication
   • Missed Medigap Open Enrollment, faced underwriting and higher premiums
2. ...

Welcome to Mistake Monday on Real Easy Medicare with Al Kushner! In this episode, Al uncovers one of the most expensive errors seniors make: postponing Medicare Part B without creditable coverage.

1. Creditable Coverage Defined
   • Works: employer-sponsored insurance (you or spouse) from companies with 20+ employees
   • Doesn’t count: individual market plans, ACA marketplace, short-term policies, COBRA (<20 employees), most retiree pl...

Welcome to Real Easy Medicare’s first Fast Friday Q&A with Al Kushner! In this episode, Al tackles 20 real listener questions with quick, actionable advice—no long stories, just straightforward answers to the Medicare issues keeping you up at night.

Enrollment & Timing

• Delaying Part B with employer coverage (20+ employees): obtain creditable coverage proof
• Penalties for missing IEP: 10% per year. Enroll between Jan 1 and M...

Welcome to Real Easy Medicare with Al Kushner! In this Throwback Thursday episode, Al journeys through six decades of Medicare history to explain how past legislation shaped today’s system—and why those origins still matter for your coverage.

1. 1965 Birth of Medicare
   • Johnson signs the original law; Truman is beneficiary #1
   • Part A & Part B only; $3 Part B premium (~$25 today)
2. 1972 Disability & ESRD Expansion
   • Covera...

Welcome back to Real Easy Medicare with Al Kushner! In this special Wisdom Wednesday episode, Al draws on forty years of expertise to share insider tactics and lesser-known tips that can transform your Medicare experience from merely surviving to truly thriving.

1. Strategic Plan Switching
   • Shop every year during Annual Open Enrollment (Oct. 15–Dec. 7)
   • Compare Maximum Out-of-Pocket (MOOP) limits, not just premiums and deductibles
   <...

Welcome back to Real Easy Medicare with Al Kushner! In today's episode, Al delivers on his promise from Episode 1 by sharing the jaw-dropping story of Tom and Linda Harrison, a retired mechanic and librarian who ended up with a $47,832 hospital bill despite having Medicare and a supplement plan.

The Harrison Family Story

Tom Harrison, a 38-year veteran mechanic, did everything right with Medicare enrollment. When chest pains landed h...

Welcome to the inaugural episode of Real Easy Medicare with Al Kushner! If you've ever felt overwhelmed by Medicare paperwork and confusing jargon, you're not alone. In this foundational episode, Al tackles the biggest and most costly Medicare mistake of all: waiting too long to enroll.

What You'll Learn:

• Margaret's Story: How a retired teacher's delayed Part B enrollment led to permanent monthly penalties
• James's Dilemma: Why emp...