Guides
Plain-English guides to understanding Medicare Advantage on your own terms. We explain how to read and compare what plans filed; we never tell you which plan to pick.
CMS public dataReported, not recommendedNo broker influenceNo paid placementDirect from CMS sources
How to compare Medicare Advantage plans without being sold toA neutral, step-by-step method and a buyer's checklist — doctors, drugs, pharmacy, total cost, and the Summary of Benefits.What the 2027 Medicare Advantage plan changes mean for youCMS released the 2027 plan data. Here's what it shows so far about plans leaving and changing — and what to check if yours is one of them.Why a $0 premium doesn't mean a $0 planThe most common misunderstanding in Medicare Advantage — what a $0-premium plan still costs you, and how to find your real number.How to read a Medicare Advantage Summary of BenefitsThe one document every plan must give you — what's in it, what isn't, and the lines worth reading first.How Medicare Advantage star ratings workWhat the 1-to-5 stars measure, what they don't, and how to use them without being misled.HMO vs PPO in Medicare AdvantageThe core trade-off between the two most common plan types — networks, referrals, out-of-network care, and cost.How to check whether your drugs are coveredEvery plan covers a different list of drugs at a different price. How to check your prescriptions before you enroll — tier, restrictions, and cost.How to check whether your pharmacy is in your plan's networkThe same drug can cost less at a preferred pharmacy than a standard one in the same plan. How to check where you fill matters.