Davis Fin&cials

10/21/2026

❌ Mistake #3: Skipping Part D Prescription Coverage
Late enrollment penalty:

1% of the national base premium for every month you delay.
The penalty is permanent.

2026 national base premium:
$38.99 per month.

Example: Delay 96 months.
Pay roughly a 96% permanent penalty for life.

Even if you take no medications:
Consider purchasing the least expensive Part D plan available.

Think of it as inexpensive penalty insurance.

Good news: The Medicare "donut hole" is gone.
Beginning in 2026, covered Part D drugs have a $2,100 annual out-of-pocket cap.

10/20/2026

❌ Mistake #2: Not Understanding Medicare Advantage vs. Medigap

More than 35 million Americans are enrolled in Medicare Advantage.

Original Medicare: Freedom to see nearly any provider.
No limit on your 20% coinsurance.

A $1 million bill could still leave you owing $200,000.
Medigap: Covers most or all of the 20% gap.
Predictable costs.

No provider networks.

Plans with the same letter offer identical benefits regardless of company.

Covers the first three pints of blood, which Original Medicare does not.

Medicare Advantage: Often $0 monthly premiums.
Dental, vision and other extras.
Provider networks.

Prior authorization requirements.
Approximately 53 million prior authorization requests were submitted in one year.

Many denials are later overturned on appeal.
The biggest trap: Your Medigap Open Enrollment Period lasts only 6 months after enrolling in Part B.
During that time: No health questions.
Guaranteed acceptance.

Afterward: Most states allow medical underwriting.
You could be denied coverage if your health changes.
Only Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts and New York provide year-round guaranteed issue protections.

10/19/2026

Mistake #1: Missing the Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

IEP = 7-month window: 3 months before, the month of, and 3 months after your 65th birthday.

- Missing it without qualifying coverage triggers a **permanent Part B late penalty: +10% per 12-month delay, for life.

- 2026 standard Part B premium: $202.90/month.

- COBRA does NOT Guadalupe County Hospital as creditable coverage for Part B — a common and costly misconception.

- Retiree insurance does NOT Guadalupe County Hospital either; only active employer coverage qualifies.

- The 20-Employee Rule: If your employer has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare is the primary payer at 65, even if you have employer insurance. Failing to enroll can leave you with catastrophic uncovered bills (e.g., a $40,000 surgery).

- If your employer has 20+ employees, you can safely delay Part B and receive an 8-month Special Enrollment Period upon retirement.

10/15/2026

💡 What's the Difference Between "QMB Only" and Full Medicaid?

This is one of the most confusing areas in Medicare and Medicaid—and it catches many people by surprise.

Some beneficiaries qualify for the Qualified Medicare Beneficiary (QMB) Program, but not for full Medicaid. Why?

There are three common reasons:

🔹 1. Income Gap
Your income may be too high to qualify for full Medicaid but still low enough to qualify for QMB assistance.

🔹 2. Asset Rules
QMB allows higher asset limits than full Medicaid.
• QMB asset limits in 2026: $9,950 for an individual and $14,910 for a couple
• Full Medicaid asset limits are often around $2,000

🔹 3. Medicaid Eligibility Requirements
Full Medicaid may require additional criteria such as:
• Legal blindness
• Permanent disability
• Nursing-home-level care

✅ What QMB Only DOES Cover:
• Medicare Part B premiums (more than $200 per month in 2026)
• Medicare Part A premiums (if applicable)
• Medicare deductibles, copayments, and coinsurance

❌ What QMB Only DOES NOT Cover:
• Routine dental care
• Vision services
• Hearing aids
• Non-emergency transportation

(These extra benefits may still be available through some Medicare Advantage plans.)

🔑 Bottom Line: QMB Only is a financial assistance program that helps pay Medicare costs—it is not the same as having full Medicaid coverage.

Understanding the difference can help beneficiaries avoid unexpected healthcare expenses and choose the coverage that best meets their needs.

10/14/2026

On today’s show, we saluted our Veterans and Military Families. We began by breaking down the basics:

📋 Medicare & Medicare Advantage Basics

Part A covers inpatient/hospital care; Part B covers outpatient/doctor visits (\~$202/month premium in 2026).

Medicare Advantage (Part C) is administered by private insurers — roughly 50% of Medicare beneficiaries — are now enrolled.

- Advantage plans offer extras (dental, vision, hearing, Part B "giveback" of $50–$150/month) but come with networks, copays, and annual out-of-pocket maximums of $4,000–$7,500

- Switching from Original Medicare to Advantage changes how VA, TRICARE, and CHAMPVA coordinate — sometimes unfavorably.

10/14/2026

This demonstration project has the potential to be a game changer for many Medicare beneficiaries struggling with obesity and related chronic conditions. At the same time, it highlights just how complex Medicare coverage can be. Beneficiaries will need to understand the difference between traditional Part D coverage and the GLP-1 Bridge Program, especially since the program is temporary, requires prior authorization, and does not count toward TrOOP.

Education will be critical. Many people may incorrectly assume that all weight-loss medications are now covered by Medicare, when in reality eligibility is limited and the program sunsets at the end of 2027.

As always, beneficiaries should work closely with their healthcare providers and seek trusted Medicare guidance to ensure they understand their options and avoid unexpected costs

10/14/2026

Medicare continues to call for more help. More and more seniors will be suffering this upcoming year. IF do not have an agent that is local and you cannot actually call their personal cell phone.... Call me (254-307-1732) I offer local home visits, phone, or zoom meeting. I will commute up to 1.5 hours. $0.00 premium plan ARE NOT always the best as you end up paying more up front than you may want. With everything else going up this just adds more stress.

Use the link below if you would like me to do a Medicare audit for you to see what your 2027 Medicare will look like. Step one complete general contact information and this gives me the right to call you (PER the Government), Step two complete the intake with as much information as possible. I'll call you once I receive your information.

https://member.sparkadvisors.com/engagements/ptc-form/larita-davis-7372/form/227a3bce-630c-4098-b00c-e3ed2697e05b

09/29/2026

Just in case... Stay safe everyone! Tomorrow is the big day. It's official. Signed at 6:00 am. It even made it on TV. I just got so sad! Don't forget that Facebook's new rule (aka Meta) comes into effect tomorrow, allowing you to use your photos. Don't forget the deadline is today!.
According to 60 Minutes:
In case you missed it: a lawyer advised us to publish this. The violation of privacy can be punished by law NOTE: Facebook Meta is now a public entity. All members should post a note like this. If you do not publish a statement at least once, it will be understood that you authorize the use of your photos, as well as the information contained in your profile status updates.
I DECLARE THAT I DO NOT AUTHORIZE FACEBOOK OR META TO USE ANY OF MY PERSONAL DATA.
Hold your finger anywhere in this message and the option "copy" will appear. Click on "Copy". Then go to your page, create a new post and put your finger anywhere in the blank field. "Paste" will appear; click "Paste".
I DO NOT AUTHORIZED THEM TO USE MY PHOTOS @ ANYTIME

09/27/2026