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Watch Out. The 2025 Medicare Scams Are Everywhere This AEP
If you’ve spent any time on Facebook, Instagram, or even just checking your voicemail lately, you’ve probably noticed it. Scam season. And during the 2025 Annual Enrollment Period, the crooks are louder, bolder, and more creative than ever. They’re dangling “free money.” They’re pretending to be Medicare. They’re pushing people to “act now” before imaginary deadlines hit. And they’re hitting seniors from every direction. Mary said it best. “Every year the scammers get sharper

Mary Manos Mitchem
2 days ago3 min read


Why Seniors Need a Qualified Medicare Agent for DSNPs and Low-Income Options in 2025
TL;DR: Dual Eligible Special Needs Plans (DSNPs) and low-income programs can save seniors thousands, but they’re complex. The right Medicare agent can make sure no benefit gets missed and no mistake gets made. The Overlooked Opportunity Every year during open enrollment, many seniors qualify for programs that could drastically reduce their healthcare costs — yet most never know they exist. That’s where a qualified Medicare agent steps in. These agents don’t just sell plans.

Mary Manos Mitchem
6 days ago3 min read


Why You Should Read the Fine Print Before Choosing Your Medicare Plan
Every year, Medicare beneficiaries face the same challenge: sorting through piles of plan options that sound great — but don’t always deliver what’s promised. There’s growing concern about misleading or incomplete plan pitches making the rounds this Annual Enrollment Period. Some ads highlight low premiums or extra perks, while quietly leaving out key details about what’s not covered or how your provider network might change. That’s why it’s more important than ever to rev

Mary Manos Mitchem
Nov 62 min read


"Don’t Be Fooled by Low Premiums,” Seniors Warn as Enrollment Heats Up
Every year around this time, the same mistake happens: Someone sees a shiny new Medicare Advantage plan with a super-low monthly premium — sometimes even $0 — and jumps on it. A few months later, they realize the doctor they’ve been seeing for years isn’t in-network… or that their prescriptions now cost three times as much. This isn’t just rumor; it’s a real warning coming straight from seniors on Reddit and across the country: “Don’t pick your plan just because it’s the c

Mary Manos Mitchem
Nov 32 min read


Feeling Overwhelmed by Medicare Choices? You’re Not Alone.
Each fall, millions of seniors face one of the most confusing decisions in retirement — choosing between Medicare Advantage , traditional Medicare , and Medigap coverage. It’s not just about picking a plan. It’s about protecting your health, your wallet, and your peace of mind. “We talk to seniors every day who are simply overwhelmed,” says Mary Manos Mitchem of M3 Insurance . “There are dozens of plans, each with its own rules, networks, and costs. It’s easy to feel lost t

Mary Manos Mitchem
Oct 302 min read


“Why Are My Medicare Costs Going Up Again?”
What to Know About 2026 Premium Increases — and What You Can Do About It If you’re on Medicare, you’ve probably heard the news: premiums are expected to jump again in 2026. The standard Part B premium is projected to rise from $185 in 2025 to about $206 in 2026 — roughly a 12% increase , one of the steepest in recent years. That’s tough news for retirees, especially since Social Security’s Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) is only expected to rise by 2.8% . For many, that me

Mary Manos Mitchem
Oct 273 min read


Practical Tips for 2026 Medicare Enrollment
Medicare’s 2026 Open Enrollment (October 15 – December 7) will bring more change than most seniors realize — especially with new negotiated drug prices and plan redesigns taking effect. Whether you’re new to Medicare or a long-time enrollee, here are a few practical ways to make sure you choose wisely this year. 1. Compare Plans — Don’t Just Renew Automatically Every year, plans change their premiums, copays, and networks — and 2026 is no exception. Be sure to look beyond the

Mary Manos Mitchem
Oct 233 min read


Low-Income Subsidy (“Extra Help”) — What to Know for 2026
If you’re on Medicare and living on a fixed income, the Low-Income Subsidy (LIS) — also called “Extra Help” — can be a real lifesaver. It helps pay for your Part D prescription drug plan , lowering or even eliminating your monthly premium, deductible, and copays. But here’s what has many people talking lately: important changes are coming for 2026. Some people who automatically qualified this year might not automatically qualify next year. “We’ve already had several clients

Mary Manos Mitchem
Oct 223 min read


What’s Changing in 2025 (and Why It Matters)
TL;DR (Quick Summary) Starting January 1, 2025 , Medicare Part D will look a lot different. Here’s what you need to know in plain English: There’s a new $2,000 annual cap on what you’ll ever pay out of pocket for covered prescriptions. The confusing “donut hole” is gone . Deductibles and coinsurance are changing — you might pay a percentage instead of a flat copay . You can choose to spread your drug costs out monthly instead of paying all at once. In short: the system is s

Mary Manos Mitchem
Oct 172 min read


What Happens After You Enroll?
The “After-Sale Service” Question Every Medicare Beneficiary Should Ask Enrollment season is in full swing, and seniors across the country are making one of the most important health decisions of their year. But there’s one question not enough people ask— 👉 What kind of help will I get after I sign up? It’s an understandable concern. Many beneficiaries assume that once their Medicare Advantage or Supplement plan is active, they’re on their own. But that’s not how it should b

Mary Manos Mitchem
Oct 132 min read


When “In-Network” Isn’t So In-Network Anymore
It’s one of the biggest frustrations we’re hearing from Medicare beneficiaries this season: “My doctor was listed as in-network last...

Mary Manos Mitchem
Oct 102 min read


Are Brokers Steering Seniors Into the Wrong Medicare Plans?
Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about insurance brokers pushing seniors into certain Medicare Advantage plans — not because they’re...

Mary Manos Mitchem
Oct 72 min read


Good News: 10 Popular Prescription Drugs Will Be Cheaper in 2026
If you take Eliquis, Jardiance, Xarelto, Januvia, Farxiga, Entresto, Enbrel, Imbruvica, Stelara, or NovoLog , you’ll want to pay...

Mary Manos Mitchem
Oct 22 min read


Don’t Assume Your Medicare Plan Stays the Same in 2026
Every fall, Medicare Advantage members receive a document called the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) . It explains what’s changing in your...

Mary Manos Mitchem
Sep 292 min read


Trust and Legitimacy: Why They Matter for Medicare Shoppers
When it comes to Medicare, trust isn’t just important—it’s everything. Every year, millions of seniors head online to compare options,...

Mary Manos Mitchem
Sep 242 min read


Managing Pain, Finding Relief: What Medicare Covers (and How M3 Can Help)
For many seniors, pain isn’t just discomfort — it’s a daily barrier to enjoying life. Whether it’s arthritis, back pain, or recovery from...

Mary Manos Mitchem
Sep 162 min read


A Digital Shift in Social Security: What Seniors Need to Know—and How M3 Can Help
A major transition is underway. According to Fox Business , effective September 30, 2025 , the Social Security Administration (SSA) will...

Mary Manos Mitchem
Sep 92 min read


Avoiding Late Fees in Medicare Enrollment: What Seniors Need to Know
If you’re turning 65 or working past that milestone, Medicare enrollment can feel like one more complicated decision in a lifetime full...

Mary Manos Mitchem
Aug 262 min read


The Top 5 Medicare Scams Seniors Face in 2025 — And How M3 Protects You
Medicare isn’t just complicated—it’s also a favorite target for scammers. In 2025, seniors are reporting new tricks on Reddit and...

Mary Manos Mitchem
Aug 212 min read


Can I Sign Up for Medicare if I’m Still Working?
One of the most common questions people ask us is: “Can I sign up for Medicare if I’m still working?” The short answer: Yes, you can —...

Mary Manos Mitchem
Aug 212 min read
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