Caring Directly

Welcome to Caring Directly! 

Dr. Maryal Concepcion, a family physician, explains why Medicare plan choices still matter for patients in Direct Primary Care: membership covers primary care, while Medicare covers care outside the practice such as hospitals, specialists, imaging, labs, ER visits, and most prescriptions. 

During Medicare open enrollment through December 7, she reviews four key questions: 

1. the 2027 Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,400 and costs may be spread through a Medicare prescription payment plan
2. if a Medicare Advantage plan is ending, you have until the end of February 2027 to choose a new plan and 63 days after it ends to buy Medigap without health questions
3. from Jan 1–Mar 31, 2027 you can make one Medicare Advantage change
4. and HSA funds can pay Part B, Part D, and Medicare Advantage premiums but not Medigap, and you can’t add to an HSA once on Medicare. She recommends free unbiased help via SHIP (shiphelp.org) or 1-800-MEDICARE and advises keeping plan letters and a medication list to review with your doctor’s office.

00:00 Welcome to Caring Directly

00:34 Why Medicare Still Matters

01:20 Part D Costs and Caps

01:54 When Your Plan Ends

02:28 Switching Advantage Plans

02:57 Using HSA With Medicare

03:29 Free Help Choosing Plans

03:54 This Week’s Action Steps

04:12 More Free Medicare Resources

04:36 Help Translate the Handout

04:55 Closing and Disclaimers

Find FREE Quizzes, handounts to help you decide about healthcare, a physician mapper to find your own personal doctor and more at caringdirectly.com!