Mcgirl Insurance Medicare Broker

11/03/2026

11/03/2026

Participating, non-participating, opted out. Three words, three very different bills. Here's your cheat sheet. 🚦

Medicare.gov breaks it down like this:

1. Participating (green light): the provider accepts the Medicare-approved amount as payment in full and charges you only the deductible and coinsurance. Medicare.gov says most providers are here.
2. Non-participating (yellow light): they take Medicare but may not accept assignment for every service. You might pay the full amount at the time of service, and in many cases the charge can't be more than 15% above the Medicare-approved amount.
3. Opted out (red light): Medicare won't pay for their services except in emergencies, and opt-outs last at least two years.

Why now? The Maine Monitor reported this week on a retiree turned away by a practice that doesn't take new traditional Medicare patients, and KFF's data shows Colorado's opt-out rate, 2.3%, is among the highest in the country.

Allen's take for Colorado clients: find out which light your doctor is before the appointment, not after the bill. One sentence does it: 'Do you accept Medicare assignment?'

Want help checking your doctors? Send us the list, no pressure.

McGirl Insurance · Allen McGirl, CEO · Englewood, CO · Helping Coloradans with Medicare for 31+ years · (303) 907-3667

Sources: Medicare.gov, "Does your provider accept Medicare as full payment?"; The Maine Monitor, "Referred to new Maine surgeons, she was shocked when they wouldn't accept her traditional Medicare" (Oct 23, 2026); KFF, "How Many Physicians Have Opted Out of the Medicare Program?" (Jan 17, 2025). Link in the first comment 👇

11/03/2026

💀 SOMEONE PLEASE TELL HIM HALLOWEEN IS OVER! 😂🎄

Allen found a skeleton who thinks he can wait until AFTER Christmas to review his Medicare plan.

🎬 Watch what happens when Allen tells him the REAL deadline!
https://youtube.com/shorts/ogVqUNNqqWI?feature=share

We have questions. Lots of questions. 🤣

🚨 **Medicare Annual Enrollment ends DECEMBER 7!**

Before the holiday chaos takes over, make sure you've reviewed your Medicare Advantage or prescription drug coverage for 2027.

🎁 Complimentary Medicare plan reviews with McGirl Insurance!

📞 303-907-3667
🌐 www.mcgirlinsurance.com

Don't be this guy. He's clearly been putting things off for a while. 💀😂

11/03/2026

Does today's election change your Medicare for 2027? Short version: no. 🗳️

Quick answer: the Medicare plan you'll have in 2027 is the one you pick during Open Enrollment, October 15 to December 7, with coverage starting January 1. NCOA lays out that timeline in its October 21 guide.

What about all the Medicare talk on TV? Newsweek reported on November 2 that a new House bill, the Medicare for America Act, was introduced October 29 and sent to six committees. A bill has to pass both chambers and be signed before it changes anything, and Newsweek says that's considered unlikely this session.

Allen's take for Colorado clients: vote, grab your sticker, then open that plan letter on the counter. December 7 is the date that decides your 2027 costs.

Have you read your 2027 plan letter yet? Tell us below. If you'd like a second set of eyes, we're glad to help.

McGirl Insurance · Allen McGirl, CEO · Englewood, CO · Helping Coloradans with Medicare for 31+ years · (303) 907-3667

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 11 organizations which offer 98 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

Sources: NCOA, "Understanding the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period" (Oct 21, 2026); Newsweek, "New Medicare Bill Would Let Americans Keep Private Insurance" (Nov 2, 2026). Link in the first comment 👇

11/02/2026

Heard Original Medicare is suddenly asking for permission slips? Deep breath. Here's the real story, and the Colorado part is good news. 🗺️

The University of Minnesota reported Monday on a new JAMA study of WISeR, a six-year Medicare pilot that started in January and requires prior authorization for certain Original Medicare services in six states: Arizona, New Jersey, Ohio, Oklahoma, Texas and Washington. The researchers found epidural steroid injections for back pain fell 15% in those states compared with everywhere else, and other targeted services fell about 20%. The lead author says the question nobody can answer yet is whether the care that didn't happen was wasteful or necessary. Separately, Tech Times reported Wednesday, citing records obtained by the Electronic Frontier Foundation, that CMS sent corrective-action requests to four of the pilot's six vendors in its first three months.

Allen's take for Colorado clients: Colorado isn't one of the six states, so this pilot doesn't change how Original Medicare works for care you get here. If you winter in Arizona or Texas, though, ask the office whether a scheduled procedure there needs approval first, and give yourself extra lead time.

Questions about how your coverage works in two states? Ask us anytime, no pressure.

McGirl Insurance · Allen McGirl, CEO · Englewood, CO · Helping Coloradans with Medicare for 31+ years · (303) 907-3667

Sources: University of Minnesota School of Public Health, "Medicare's prior-authorization pilot test led to an immediate drop in use of services, study finds" (Oct 26, 2026); Tech Times, "Medicare AI Prior Auth: CMS Penalized Four Vendors in Secret as Delays Harmed Seniors" (Oct 28, 2026). Link in the first comment 👇

11/02/2026

🎃 Halloween decorations down at midnight. Christmas trees up by breakfast. WHO ARE THESE PEOPLE?! 😂🎄

Allen has a few questions... and one very important reminder!

🎬 Watch this:
https://youtube.com/shorts/Sv-98FfapMY?feature=share

Some people have already decorated their entire house for Christmas but STILL haven't reviewed their Medicare plan. 🤣

Here's your friendly reminder: **Medicare Annual Enrollment ends December 7!**

Before you get too wrapped up in Christmas lights, take a few minutes to make sure your Medicare coverage still fits your needs for 2027.

🎁 Complimentary Medicare plan reviews with McGirl Insurance.

📞 303-907-3667
🌐 www.mcgirlinsurance.com

Who's already put their Christmas decorations up? Be honest! 👀👇

11/02/2026

Got a letter about your Medicare plan for 2027? Read the first line twice. One word changes your options. 📬

AJMC reported Tuesday on a KFF analysis that counts about 4.3 million people with Medicare whose plans are being terminated at the end of 2026: 3.1 million in Medicare Advantage drug plans and 1.2 million in stand-alone drug plans. KFF also counts about 1.4 million people in Medicare Advantage plans being consolidated, or merged, into another plan from the same insurer. Here's the line KFF draws: if your Medicare Advantage plan is ending, you get a special window to buy a Medigap policy with guaranteed issue rights. If your plan is merging and you later switch to Original Medicare, you generally don't get that federal protection. Medicare.gov says the ending-plan window runs from 60 days before to 63 days after your Medicare Advantage coverage ends.

Allen's take for Colorado clients: 'terminated' and 'consolidated' look alike in a busy mailbox, but they open different doors. If your plan is ending and you've been curious about Original Medicare with a supplement, this is the window when an insurer can't turn you down for your health. If yours is merging, give the new plan the four-point inspection (doctors, drugs, pharmacy, out-of-pocket max) before December 7.

Not sure which letter you got? Snap a photo or bring it in, and we'll read it together. No pressure.

McGirl Insurance · Allen McGirl, CEO · Englewood, CO · Helping Coloradans with Medicare for 31+ years · (303) 907-3667

We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 11 organizations which offer 98 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options.

Sources: AJMC, "Medicare Plan Terminations Hit 4.3 Million as Part D Market Shrinks" (Oct 27, 2026); Medicare.gov, "When can I buy Medigap?". Link in the first comment 👇

11/01/2026

🎂😱 WHAT'S SCARIER THAN A HAUNTED HOUSE? TURNING 65?! 👻😂

Allen asked a haunted mirror to show him his greatest fear...

🎥 You HAVE to see what happened:
https://youtube.com/shorts/9k6Txe0YGtU?feature=share

Thunder. Lightning. A terrifying vision...

And then... A BIRTHDAY CAKE WITH 65 CANDLES! 💀🤣

"NOOOOO! NOT SIXTY-FIVE!"

But here's the good news: Turning 65 doesn't have to mean being terrified of Medicare.

Understanding when to enroll, what Medicare covers, and which options fit your needs can make the transition much easier.

🎃 Don't let Medicare scare you!

McGirl Insurance offers no-cost Medicare consultations and free Medicare 101 educational classes.

📞 303-907-3667
🌐 www.mcgirlinsurance.com

👇 Be honest... what's scarier: turning 65 or trying to blow out 65 candles? 😂