Amy Peacock Insurance and Medicare Tips

10/09/2026

This time of year is full of Medicare scammers. Be aware & don’t let them take it advantage of you or anyone you love.

Medicare will never call you and ask for your banking information. Protect your Medicare card, number, and other personal information. More information on how to spot and prevent scams: https://www.medicare.gov/basics/reporting-medicare-fraud-and-abuse

10/02/2026

On Medicare? Medicare’s Annual Enrollment Period is almost here. Good time to check your plan! Things change every year.

09/28/2026

Medicare Part D is changing in 2027! 3 things to know and why you might want to shop your plan during this AEP (October 15-Dec. 7).

1. Part D Subsidies are going away. So, premiums may be much higher on your policy.

2. The Part D deductible was $615 - now it will be $700.

3. The out of pocket cap was $2100 - now it will be $2400.

By October 1, we will know the new premiums and formularies. If you need help shopping plans, reach out to me.

Send a message to learn more

09/23/2026

Turning 65 soon? Working past 65? Watch this video to avoid penalties. Know your enrollment windows.⭐️

09/12/2026

What does Original Medicare NOT cover?
A lot.

Long-term care: Assisted living, extended nursing-home residence and help with bathing, dressing, eating and other activities of daily living.

***It is important to plan for long term care.

Most outpatient prescription drugs: A separate Part D plan is needed. Some medications administered in a doctor’s office, such as chemotherapy infusions, are covered under Part B.

Routine dental care: Cleanings, fillings, extractions, dentures and most implants. Limited dental services may be covered when directly connected to certain medical procedures.

Routine vision care: Routine eye exams for glasses, most eyeglasses and contact lenses. There are exceptions, including certain diabetic eye exams and one pair of corrective lenses following cataract surgery.

Hearing aids: Including routine hearing exams for fitting hearing aids.

Routine physical examinations: Medicare covers a “Welcome to Medicare” visit and annual wellness visits, but these aren’t the same as a comprehensive annual physical.

Most care outside the United States: Coverage is available only in a few limited circumstances.

Massage therapy.

Most cosmetic surgery: Exceptions may apply when medically necessary, such as breast reconstruction following a mastectomy.

Concierge or membership fees.

Services from providers who have opted out of Medicare, except certain emergency or urgent services.

Certain routine foot care, unless the person meets Medicare’s medical requirements.

AND! Original Medicare alone has no annual maximum out-of-pocket limit. You will pay deductibles and 20% coinsurance for Part B-covered services, with no yearly ceiling. Hospital expenses can also accumulate through multiple benefit periods or extended stays.

This is why people add a Medicare Supplement Plan + Part D (rx coverage) + DVH, or get a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug plan to cover the gaps.

It's an important financial decision to make in retirement.
Work with a licensed agent to get you in a plan that protects you, and your income.

Some of the items and services Medicare doesn’t cover includes long-term care, most dental care, and more.

09/08/2026

Men! Remember to get your annual doc check ups and prostrate screenings for you AND those you love.❤️

A man’s age is the most common risk factor for prostate cancer. The older you are, the greater the risk. Screenings are available which might help find cancer early.
Talk with your doctor to see if prostate cancer screenings are right for you — Medicare covers them for men over 50. https://go.medicare.gov/4ibYN7H

09/08/2026

On Medicare and thinking of selling your home and downsizing?Look out for IRMAA. You may get a surprise dramatic increase in your Medicare Part B and D premiums! Read this and share with friends who may be doing the same.

Big profits on a home sale can lead to painful increases in Medicare premiums.

09/07/2026

Happy Labor Day! Just finished updating my slide show for my Medicare 101 workshop at SouthPark Library in Charlotte tomorrow!

Super excited to educate people on Medicare! If you are confused about your Medicare needs or your spouse or parent, please join us.

Within an hour you will get clear on Medicare and I will answer your questions. No sales pitch, just the facts on one of the big decisions you make as you turn 65 (or retire at a later date).

Knowledge is power!

08/26/2026

Let's talk about what Original Medicare Does NOT Cover!

Medicare covers a lot — but it doesn’t cover everything.
Here are some of the expenses people are often surprised to learn aren't generally covered by Original Medicare:

• Long-term custodial care
• Disability income protection
• Routine dental care
• Routine eye exams and eyeglasses
• Routine hearing exams and hearing aids
• Massage therapy
• Routine foot care (with some exceptions, including certain diabetes-related services)

And, most prescription drugs you pick up at a pharmacy. Those are typically covered through a separate Part D prescription drug plan - which you have to get. Some drugs administered in a doctor's office or hospital are covered under Original Medicare Part B.

Depending on your situation, there are insurance options from approved Medicare carriers that can help cover some of these expenses.

You can add a Medicare Supplement policy plus prescription drugs, dental, vision and hearing - this comes with a premium but offers flexibility.

You could consider a Medicare Advantage policy that is an umbrella policy that covers Original Medicare + prescriptions drugs, dental, vision and hearing. Often 0 premium, but you will have some copays and work within a PPO or HMO network.

If you have limited income and resources, you may qualify for Medicaid or a Medicare Savings Program, which can help with certain Medicare costs.

Medicare is not one-size-fits-all. Understanding what it covers — and what it doesn't — is an important part of planning for retirement.

Have questions about what Medicare actually covers? That's what I'm here for. Message me.

Send a message to learn more

08/24/2026

Have you heard of AEP? That's the upcoming Medicare and Part D (Prescription Drug Coverage) annual enrollment period - October. 15-Dec. 7, 2026.

You don't have to do anything if you are on a plan you like. HOWEVER you should review your plans for changes and premium increases so you are not surprised (watch your mail - you should get the carrier's Annual Notice of Change in September).

Things are changing for 2027.

While I can't share specific Medicare Advantage plans yet, here is an overview of how Part D works and Medicare's 2027 Part D Final Rule changes.

💊 2027 Medicare Part D:

If you take prescription medications, there are FOUR things you need to understand when comparing Part D plans:

1️⃣ Deductible
The standard Part D deductible will be $700 in 2027 (up from $615).

Some plans may have different deductibles or may waive the deductible for certain tiers of drugs.

2️⃣ Copay vs. Coinsurance
After the deductible, you may pay:
➡️ A copay — a set dollar amount, such as $5 or $25
OR
➡️ Coinsurance — a percentage of the drug's cost, such as 25%

3️⃣ Drug Tiers

This is a BIG one.

Medicare drug plans place medications into different tiers on their formulary. A plan may have tiers such as:

Tier 1: Preferred generics
Tier 2: Generics
Tier 3: Preferred brand-name drugs
Tier 4: Non-preferred drugs
Tier 5: Specialty drugs

But here's the catch:
👉 The tier structure is not the same for every plan.
And the same medication can be on a different tier with a different plan.

That means you can't simply look at the premium and say, "This is the cheapest plan."

4️⃣ $2,400 Out-of-Pocket Limit (up from $2100 in 2026!)
For 2027, your annual out-of-pocket costs for covered Part D drugs are capped at $2,400. Once you reach that amount, you pay $0 for covered Part D drugs for the rest of the year.

The bottom line:
💊 Your medications
💰 Your deductible
🏷️ Your drug tiers
💳 Your copays/coinsurance
🏪 Your pharmacy
📋 Your plan's formulary
ALL matter.

That's why the Part D plan with the lowest monthly premium isn't necessarily the plan that will cost you the least for the year. It's the premium and total estimated drug cost you will pay.

I know - It's a lot to comprehend and it can feel so overwhelming. If you'd like help comparing your prescription coverage for 2027, I'm happy to help you during AEP. Message me to set an appointment.

Send a message to learn more