What's Up With Medicare

Jonathan and Jack bring a brand new guest in this month, for a new perspecive on the issue of Medicare. Diene Klein, CFP, Senior Advisor with Pittenger & Anderson (and Nebrasksa SHIP and SMP volunteer) joins the show to discuss her professional experience in retirment planning specificially as it pertains to discussions surrounding Medicare decisions and costs.

Jack and Jonathan are once again joined by volunteer Colleen Kozanne and go through a large but important document you likely received in the mail last Fall, the Guide to Medicare and You 2026. Jonathan and Colleen break down the content section by section, highlighting the most important information, common questions associated with it, and changes to note for 2026.

Jonathan and Jack get together to discuss the details and updates for 2026 he shared on the Department of Insurance/SHIP roadshow across Nebraska, including valuable information on changes to costs, dates, rules and laws heading into the Open Enrollment period.

On the 60th anniversary of the institution of Medicare, Jonathan takes Jack on a trip through time to understand this history of Medicare and how it has evolved, and the implications of that history for Medicare's modern-day issues.

Now that Jack and Jonathan are past a year doing this show together, it's time to check Jack's (and your) retention of Medicare basis. Take this quiz along with Jack and see if you can beat him in knowing the basics about Medicare so you're ready for the issues that may arise for yourself or your loved ones!

Jack, Jonathan and Colleen talks about the common schemes used by scammers on Medicare recipients from attempts to secure Medicare numbers to durable medical equipment deals that are too good to be true. Plus, how to avoid these and what you should do if you suspect you've been a victim of an actual or attempted fraud.

Jack and Jonathan are again joined by volunteer Colleen Ozanne and they identify and answer the most frequent questions posed to SHIP Nebraska's employees and volunteers about Medicare.

Jack and Jonathan dive into various Medicare financial assistance options that can be available for those who qualify and take a look at new and pending legislation that could bring about important changes for you in 2025.

Jonathan and Jack are against joined by SHIP Nebraska volunteer Colleen Ozanne and the group discusses the Medicare changes you may encounter for 2025 in various situations. The changes go from typical issues with coverage and enrollment to third party appeals, formulary tweaks, and Nebraska-specific changes.

Jack and Jonathan dive into the situations that arise when eligible Medicare enrollees also have access to another form of insurance, whether from an employer, retirement package, federal employment, VA benefits, etc. The guys discuss relevant issues of benefits coordination, eligibility, creditable coverage and more.

Open enrollment is here! And Jack and Jonathan, along with special guest and  SHIP volunteer Colleen Ozanne, discuss all of the changes you should be aware of for open enrollment 2025. Jonathan and Colleen also talk about some of the most important documents to make sure you've seen before making any final decisions for next year and some extras benefits that may be available to you and worth considering.

Jack and Jonathan jump into Medicare Advantage, what differentiates it from Original Medicare and relevant issues for those who are considering it including eligibility, cost, providers and geographic variations.

In this episode Jonathan and Jack discuss Medicare prescription Drug coverage, the '3 Cs' to consider when evaluating plan options and how the Inflation Reduction Act has made recent changes to prescription coverage.

In this episode Jonathan and Jack discuss the coverage and cost of Medicare Part A, Hospital Insurance, and Part B, Medical Insurance, and how Medicare Supplements are designed to help you with your share of cost after Medicare hospital and medical insurance pays first.

Medicare fraud and abuse is serious subject that has a large impact on the Medicare program. Jonathan and Jack discuss how Medicare fraud and abuse can be perpetrated and what someone can do to prevent Medicare fraud from impacting them. Then Jonathan and Jack welcome a special guest, Kim Church, Division Chief of the Department of Insurance’s Insurance Fruad Prevention Division. Kim provides an insight into the work she and her team of certified law enforcement officers do when insurance fraud is suspected.

Medicare has different parts that serve specific functions. Each part has its own rules regarding cost, coverage, and enrollment. Join Jonathan and Jack as they deconstruct the enrollment into the various Medicare options.

Join Jonathan Burlison and Jack Mitchell in our introductory episode, delving into the world of Medicare. Episode one provides an introduction of Nebraska SHIP and SMP as educators on the topic of Medicare and we briefly touch on the various parts of Medicare cost, coverage, and enrollment.