S.R. Miller Consulting

S.R. Miller Consulting Assist beneficiaries from encountering obstacles with a complicated program. My goal is to provide a clear translation in order to understand Medicare.

The result, maximize value, minimize anxiety & confusion w/ more competent & accurate plan selection.

April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day, a reminder of conversations many families don’t know how to start.Most pe...
04/16/2026

April 16 is National Healthcare Decisions Day, a reminder of conversations many families don’t know how to start.

Most people don’t avoid these conversations because they don’t care…
They avoid them because they don’t know where to begin.

I’ve seen this happen more than once: families doing their best to make decisions in a crisis, without knowing what their loved one would have wanted.

It’s not about having all the answers.
It’s about having a place to start.

That’s why I appreciate tools like Five Wishes, it helps guide conversations around:
• medical care preferences
• comfort and dignity
• who should speak on your behalf
• what matters most

These aren’t just healthcare decisions.
They’re family decisions.

Having these conversations ahead of time can bring clarity and peace when it’s needed most.

👉 Have you had this conversation with your family yet?

One piece of mail I hope you never throw away without a quick look is your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN). It's the Medic...
03/09/2026

One piece of mail I hope you never throw away without a quick look is your Medicare Summary Notice (MSN). It's the Medicare version of your Explanation of Benefits (EOB).

It may not look exciting, but it’s one of the easiest ways to protect yourself from billing errors or even Medicare fraud.

Your MSN shows:
✔ Services billed to Medicare
✔ What Medicare paid
✔ What you may owe

A quick review helps you spot things like:
• services you didn’t receive
• duplicate charges
• billing mistakes

If something doesn’t look right, you can start by contacting the provider listed on the notice.

Another helpful resource is the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) program, which helps beneficiaries and caregivers detect and report Medicare fraud.

📞 SMP Hotline: 877-808-2468

Most people think of Medicare as something you deal with once a year during enrollment.

But sometimes the most important step is simply reviewing what’s already happening.

Most people treat their Medicare card like any other insurance card.But it’s actually one of the most valuable pieces of...
02/26/2026

Most people treat their Medicare card like any other insurance card.

But it’s actually one of the most valuable pieces of personal information you carry.

Your Medicare number is tied to:
✔ Your health coverage
✔ Your identity
✔ Your medical billing history

That’s why Medicare fraud often starts with someone simply getting access to that number.

A few simple habits can protect you:

• Don’t carry your card unless you need it
• Only share your number with trusted providers
• Review your Medicare Summary Notice for unfamiliar charges
• Be cautious of phone calls asking for your Medicare number

A great resource is your state's Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP). This organization helps 877-808-2468. This hotline helps Medicare beneficiaries, their families, and caregivers prevent, detect, and report potential health care fraud, errors, and abuse at 877.808.2468.

Small steps make a big difference.

If you help a parent or loved one manage healthcare, this is worth sharing with them too.

October is when people choose their Medicare plan.January is when they start using it.And sometimes that’s when surprise...
01/20/2026

October is when people choose their Medicare plan.
January is when they start using it.

And sometimes that’s when surprises show up:

A prescription costs more than expected

A doctor isn’t in network

Referrals or prior authorizations weren’t anticipated

That’s exactly why Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment exists, not to push people to switch, but to give them a chance to adjust if the plan they chose isn’t working in real life.

This period runs January 1 – March 31, and it’s only for people already enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan.

If everything is working well, great.
If not, this window exists for a reason.

Just Because Open Enrollment Is Over Doesn’t Mean Your Medicare Plan Is Done.Open Enrollment may have ended, but real li...
12/15/2025

Just Because Open Enrollment Is Over Doesn’t Mean Your Medicare Plan Is Done.

Open Enrollment may have ended, but real life with your Medicare plan is just beginning.

A lot of people tell me something like:

“They’re set, we picked a plan this year, and that’s that.”

But here’s the reality most people don’t think about until later:
Plans change throughout the year, formularies (drug lists) shift, doctors move in or out of network, and out-of-pocket costs can add up in ways you didn’t expect.

So “set it and forget it” can turn into “surprised and stressed” by spring or summer.

If you’re seeing costs go up, hearing “no” from the pharmacy, or wondering why a provider isn’t covered anymore, that’s not just “the way Medicare is,” it’s something worth understanding and addressing.

💡 Medicare isn’t a set-and-forget benefit, it’s something you live with. Knowing how to monitor and act on changes can save money and frustration.

When I talk about Medicare at events, I often hear:“Oh, my parents are all set.”“They already picked their plan.”“They’v...
11/03/2025

When I talk about Medicare at events, I often hear:

“Oh, my parents are all set.”
“They already picked their plan.”
“They’ve had the same plan for years.”

I smile, and then I quietly think, I hope so.

Because here’s what I see every year:
People who “set it and forget it” end up with plans that quietly change underneath them.

Drug formularies shift.

Pharmacies drop out of network.

Copays creep up.

And suddenly, someone who was “set” is now spending hundreds more than they expected.

If you have a parent, spouse, or loved one on Medicare, take a few minutes this season to ask:
🩺 When was the last time you reviewed your plan?

It’s not about switching, it’s about making sure their plan still fits.

💻 Learn more or get help reviewing:
Part D - https://making-medicare-matter.newzenler.com/courses/part-d-drug-search/buy

or Medicare Advantage - https://making-medicare-matter.newzenler.com/courses/compare-plan-medicare-advantage-edition-d-drug-search-copy/buy

If you’re choosing or reviewing your Medicare plan, here’s a key question:❓ Does the person talking to you represent man...
10/29/2025

If you’re choosing or reviewing your Medicare plan, here’s a key question:

❓ Does the person talking to you represent many plans or just the ones they’ll earn a commission on?

Here’s what you should know:

A licensed broker/agent must first ask you which plan types you want to discuss. They can only show you those.

They can’t claim to represent Medicare or use misleading terms.

It’s okay and smart to ask: “Which companies and how many plans do you represent?”

If the choice seems limited, you might not be seeing full and fair alternatives.

If you’d like help making sure you’re really comparing all your plan options, not just the ones someone sells, I’d be happy to help. Let’s make sure your plan fits you, not just fits someone’s commission.

The #1 question I get during Open Enrollment: How do I know if I’m in the right plan?A lot of people stick with the sam...
10/24/2025

The #1 question I get during Open Enrollment: How do I know if I’m in the right plan?

A lot of people stick with the same plan year after year, until they’re surprised by higher drug costs or a new pharmacy restriction.

If you’re unsure whether your 2026 plan is still the best fit, my quick quizzes can help point you in the right direction:
🩺 [Part D Quiz link - https://forms.gle/Egae3tu3J8uSb2NHA ]
🏥 [Medicare Advantage Quiz link - https://forms.gle/hX7kKjntMPyoNrMc8 ]

And if you’d rather talk it through, I offer independent reviews.

Every fall, Medicare Advantage and Part D plan Star Ratings are released. These ratings (1–5 stars) measure how well a p...
09/24/2025

Every fall, Medicare Advantage and Part D plan Star Ratings are released. These ratings (1–5 stars) measure how well a plan performs on things like customer service, complaints, and drug safety.

But here’s the truth: ⭐ ratings can rise or fall based on technical measures (like test calls to customer service lines). That means your plan’s rating may not reflect how well it fits you.

The most important factors when reviewing your coverage are:

Are your doctors in-network?

Are your prescriptions covered affordably?

Do the plan’s rules (like prior authorization) work for your needs?

Stars matter, but they aren’t the whole picture. This is why reviewing your plan each year is critical.

Medicare Open Enrollment starts October 15, but your prep starts now.📬 This month, your plan will mail out the Annual No...
09/17/2025

Medicare Open Enrollment starts October 15, but your prep starts now.

📬 This month, your plan will mail out the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC). This letter explains what’s changing in your plan for 2026, things like premiums, drug coverage, and pharmacy networks.

Before you even look at new plans, take a few minutes to review this notice and your current insurance.
✔ Are your costs going up?
✔ Will your prescriptions still be covered?
✔ Are your doctors and pharmacies in-network?

Having these answers ready makes open enrollment much easier.

I’ll be sharing more steps in the weeks ahead, but for now, don’t toss that letter!

Is Medicare Advantage really cheaper than Medigap? A lot of people choose their Medicare plan based on the fixed costs, ...
09/03/2025

Is Medicare Advantage really cheaper than Medigap?

A lot of people choose their Medicare plan based on the fixed costs, the monthly premium. On paper, Medicare Advantage usually looks like a winner.

But what happens when you factor in the variable costs? Things like co-pays, out-of-pocket maximums, and uncovered services can make the picture much different.

That’s why the question I hear all the time, “Will my costs be higher on Medicare Advantage or Medigap?” doesn’t have a one-size-fits-all answer.

The real difference often comes down to how you use healthcare, not just the price tag you see upfront.

I can help you break down the numbers so you feel confident your plan really fits your needs.

Address

St. Louis, MO

Opening Hours

Monday 8am - 6pm
Tuesday 8am - 6pm
Wednesday 8am - 6pm
Thursday 8am - 6pm
Friday 8am - 4pm
Saturday 8am - 2pm
Sunday 8am - 2pm

Telephone

+13143071621

Website

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