Savvy 65 Medicare

Savvy 65 Medicare Straightforward Medicare education and guidance to help you understand your options and choose coverage that fits your individual needs.

09/03/2026

BIG change coming from UnitedHealthcare 👀

Starting October 1, 2026, UnitedHealthcare is removing prior authorization requirements for a number of services, including certain cardiology services, physical and occupational therapy, speech therapy, chiropractic care, some orthopedic procedures, and certain lab and genetic tests.

And yes — this includes Medicare Advantage plans.

But don’t get fooled by the headlines.

UnitedHealthcare is NOT eliminating prior authorization altogether. Some services will still require approval.

The company says it plans to eliminate prior authorization requirements for about 30% of the services that currently require them by the end of 2026.

That could mean less paperwork, fewer delays, and hopefully fewer headaches for patients and providers.

The important takeaway?

Prior authorization isn’t going away — but UnitedHealthcare is reducing it.

Follow Savvy65 for Medicare updates without the confusion.

📞 941-340-1961
📧 [email protected]
🌐 www.barsteadbrokerage.com
🌐 Savvy65.com

08/30/2026

That $0 Part D plan may not be $0 next year. 👀'

For 2027, the maximum Medicare Part D deductible is increasing from $615 to $700. And if you currently have a $0-premium drug plan, don’t assume it will stay that way.

When your Annual Notice of Change arrives, OPEN IT. Check your deductible, drug coverage, and especially your monthly premium.'

The worst time to discover a new premium is when it gets deducted in January — after Medicare Open Enrollment is over.'

📱 Cell: 404-226-6222
☎️ Office: 941-340-1961
🌐 www.Savvy65.com
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08/29/2026

Think you can just leave Medicare Advantage, go back to Original Medicare, and pick up a Medicare Supplement?

Not always.

Outside of certain guaranteed-issue situations or trial rights, a Medigap company may be able to use medical underwriting. That means your health history could affect whether you qualify, what you pay, or what plans are available to you.

So before you drop your Medicare Advantage plan, make sure you know what your options really are.

Never cancel coverage first and ask questions later.

📞 Donna Lee | Savvy65 / Barstead Brokerage
Cell: 404-226-6222
Office: 941-340-1961
🌐 www.Savvy65.com
🌐 www.BarsteadBrokerage.com

08/28/2026

⚠️ Bad Medicare advice can cost you.

The Doctor's receptionist is NOT your Medicare agent.

A client called me today after someone at her eye doctor’s office told her to drop her Medicare Advantage plan and go back to Original Medicare because she didn’t like the deductible she had to pay for her cataract procedure.

The problem? That advice only looked at ONE bill — not her prescription drug coverage, potential Part D penalties, future procedure costs, or whether she could even qualify for a Medicare Supplement later.

Your doctor’s office can tell you what they charge and what your insurance paid.
But before you DROP or CHANGE Medicare coverage, talk to someone who understands the entire picture.

One casual comment can turn into a very expensive mistake.

📞 Donna Lee | Savvy65
404-226-6222
941-340-1961
www.BarsteadBrokerage.com

08/27/2026

Droopy eyelids aren’t always just a cosmetic issue.

If excess upper eyelid skin is actually blocking part of your vision or interfering with normal activities, Medicare may cover an upper eyelid lift — called a blepharoplasty — when it’s considered medically necessary.

That usually means your eye doctor will need to document the problem with things like photos, medical records, and possibly visual-field testing.

But if you’re doing it strictly because gravity has been a little too enthusiastic lately and you just want a more refreshed look… Medicare generally isn’t picking up that tab.

And if you have a Medicare Advantage plan, be sure to check for network and prior authorization requirements before scheduling surgery.

The simple rule:
Cosmetic = usually not covered.
Medically necessary because it affects your vision = may be covered.

If your eyelids are starting to behave more like curtains, talk to your eye doctor.

Need help understanding your Medicare benefits?

📞 404-226-6222
☎️ 941-340-1961
🌐 www.barsteadbrokerage.com
Savvy65 | Complete Medicare Solutions
Helping seniors since 2006

08/26/2026

Why does your Medicare agent need your doctors and prescriptions AGAIN?

Because Medicare plans can change every year — even if the plan name stays the same.
Your doctor could leave the network.

Your prescription could move to a different tier.

A medication could suddenly require prior authorization.

Your preferred pharmacy could change.

And sometimes ONE prescription can completely change which plan makes the most sense for you.

That’s why I need your CURRENT:
Doctors
Prescriptions
Dosages
Pharmacy

And yes… “the little white pill” does NOT count.
An annual Medicare review is about making sure the plan still fits YOU — not just assuming last year’s choice is still the best one.

Need help reviewing your Medicare coverage?

📞 404-226-6222
☎️ 941-340-1961
🌐 www.barsteadbrokerage.com

Savvy65 | Complete Medicare Solutions
Helping seniors since 2006

08/25/2026

Your Medicare Advantage plan says your doctor is IN-NETWORK.

Your doctor’s office says:
“No, we don’t take that plan.”

So who do you believe?

This happens more often than people realize.

Sometimes provider directories haven’t caught up with recent network changes. Other times, the doctor’s office may simply say, “We take Medicare,” without realizing you’re asking about a specific Medicare Advantage plan.

And yes, the exact location can matter too.

Before you choose a plan based on your doctor being in-network, verify:
The EXACT plan name
The EXACT doctor
The EXACT office location

Because:
“We take Medicare” is NOT the same as “We’re in-network with your Medicare Advantage plan.”

That little detail can save you from a very expensive surprise.

Need help reviewing your Medicare coverage?

📞 404-226-6222
☎️ 941-340-1961
🌐 www.barsteadbrokerage.com

Savvy65 | Complete Medicare Solutions
Helping seniors since 2006

08/24/2026

Are Medicare food cards going away?

Not exactly — but CMS is tightening the rules.

Beginning in 2027, Medicare Advantage plans that offer supplemental benefit debit cards will have stricter requirements around WHO qualifies, WHAT can be purchased, and HOW the card works at checkout.

Many food and grocery benefits are tied to Special Supplemental Benefits for the Chronically Ill, which means not every member automatically qualifies.

CMS is also requiring more transparency around eligibility and tighter controls so these cards are used only for covered items and services.

So the benefit may still exist — but you could see changes in:
Eligibility requirements
Approved food items
How the card works at the register
How plans design or advertise the benefit

And remember:
Seeing a grocery or food benefit in a Medicare commercial does NOT mean you automatically qualify for it.

Always check the actual benefits and eligibility rules for YOUR plan.
Need help understanding your Medicare Advantage benefits?

📞 404-226-6222
☎️ 941-340-1961
🌐 www.barsteadbrokerage.com
Savvy65 | Complete Medicare Solutions
Helping seniors since 2006

08/23/2026

Your doctor wrote BRAND MEDICALLY NECESSARY… so your Medicare drug plan has to cover it, right?

Not always.

A common example is Synthroid vs. generic levothyroxine. Your doctor may want you to stay on Synthroid, but your Part D plan may prefer the generic, place the brand on a higher tier, require prior authorization, or require an exception request.

The same issue can come up with certain hormone therapies and bioidentical medications. Some are FDA-approved prescription drugs, while others are custom compounded — and Medicare Part D does NOT treat all of those the same way.

The big takeaway:
“My doctor prescribed it” and “my Medicare plan covers it” are TWO DIFFERENT THINGS.

Always check the exact drug, exact formulation, and exact coverage rules before assuming it’s covered.

Need help understanding your Medicare prescription coverage?

📞 404-226-6222
☎️ 941-340-1961
🌐 www.barsteadbrokerage.com
Savvy65 | Complete Medicare Solutions
Helping seniors since 2006

08/22/2026

That manufacturer coupon your doctor gave you for an expensive prescription may sound amazing…
“Pay as little as $10.”
“First month free.”
“Save hundreds on your prescription.”

But if you’re using Medicare to pay for that medication, you generally can’t use a manufacturer copay card or coupon with your Medicare drug coverage.

Those coupons are typically intended for people with commercial insurance, not Medicare, Medicaid, TRICARE, or other federally funded health programs.

But here’s the important part:
A manufacturer copay coupon is not the same thing as a patient assistance program.
Some drug manufacturers offer separate assistance programs that Medicare beneficiaries may qualify for.

So if the pharmacy tells you that coupon won’t work, don’t assume you’re out of options.

Ask about:
Manufacturer Patient Assistance Programs
Lower-cost formulary alternatives
Coverage exceptions
Extra Help, if you may qualify

That little coupon may not work with Medicare…
but there still may be another way to lower the cost.
Need help understanding your Medicare drug coverage?

📞 404-226-6222
☎️ 941-340-1961
🌐 www.barsteadbrokerage.com

Savvy65 | Complete Medicare Solutions
Helping seniors since 2006

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