Ask someone how much they expect to spend on healthcare in retirement, and you’ll usually hear something like “I’ll have Medicare, so I should be fine.” That answer misses the mark by hundreds of thousands of dollars. Medicare is essential. It’s also incomplete. It doesn’t cover everything, it isn’t free, and the costs associated with … Read more
Retirement Planning · Medicare Education · Updated May 2026 · 12 min read C Cindy Kowalski Licensed Independent Medicare Advisor · Eligry LLC · NPN 21601670 This article is part of the Retirement Mistakes That Can Cost You Thousands series. When most people first enroll in Medicare, they assume they will always be able to … Read more
Medicare Plan Selection · Updated May 2026 · 10 min read C Cindy Kowalski Licensed Independent Medicare Advisor · Eligry LLC · NPN 21601670 Many people enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan when they first become eligible for Medicare. It makes sense at the time — the monthly premium may be low or even $0, … Read more
There is a specific kind of quiet panic that sets in around February or March. It’s the sound of a phone clicking shut after a three-hour marathon with a customer service representative who is reading from a script in a city three time zones away. It’s the realization that the “free” gym membership and the … Read more
If you’re on a Medicare Advantage plan and thinking about leaving, you’re not alone. Every year, millions of people switch from Medicare Advantage back to Original Medicare ā and many of them pick up a Medicare Supplement plan (also called Medigap) to cover the gaps. But whether you can switch and whether you should switch … Read more
Michigan Medicare Guide Michigan Medicare Supplement underwriting rules: no birthday rule, no safety net, and what that means for you By Cindy Kowalski, Licensed Independent Medicare Advisor ā¢ Updated for 2026 ā¢ Part of our state-by-state Medicare Supplement guide Michigan has no birthday rule. No annual Medigap open enrollment. No state-mandated carrier that must accept … Read more
Illinois Medicare Guide Illinois Medicare Supplement underwriting rules: birthday rule, Blue Cross guaranteed issue, and everything in between By Cindy Kowalski, Licensed Independent Medicare Advisor ā¢ Updated for 2026 ā¢ Part of our state-by-state Medicare Supplement guide Illinois gives Medigap enrollees more flexibility than most states ā but less than you might think. The Illinois … Read more
Georgia Medicare Guide Georgia Medicare Supplement underwriting rules: what happens after your enrollment window closes By Cindy Kowalski, Licensed Independent Medicare Advisor ā¢ Updated for 2026 ā¢ Part of our state-by-state Medicare Supplement guide Georgia does not have a birthday rule. Georgia does not have an annual Medigap open enrollment period. Once your initial six-month … Read more
Connecticut Medicare Guide Connecticut Medicare Supplement underwriting rules: year-round open enrollment and what it means for you By Cindy Kowalski, Licensed Independent Medicare Advisor ā¢ Updated for 2026 ā¢ Part of our state-by-state Medicare Supplement guide If you’re 65 or older and live in Connecticut, you can apply for any Medicare Supplement plan, from any … Read more
New York Medicare Guide New York Medicare Supplement rules: the strongest protections in the country By Cindy Kowalski, Licensed Independent Medicare Advisor ā¢ Updated for 2026 ā¢ Part of our state-by-state Medicare Supplement guide If you have a Medicare Supplement plan in New York, you have stronger consumer protections than 95% of Medicare beneficiaries in … Read more