You may not be on Medicare right now, but chances are someone you love is, a parent, a spouse, or a friend, and sooner or later, you'll be making Medicare decisions yourself.

That's why it's worth knowing about an important letter that shows up every September in the mail, the annual notice of change.

Most people glance at it, maybe toss it aside, and never think twice.

But with major shifts coming in 2026, ignoring that notice could be a costly mistake.

And here's the thing.

That letter is only one piece of the puzzle.

There are three other common Medicare mistakes that trip people up year after year.

Not just mistakes that can cost you a few extra thousand dollars or limit some

access to doctors and treatments, but also mistakes that can be catastrophic to a retirement plan.

So in this episode, I'm going to tackle both sides of the equation. First, I'll walk you through

the 2026 changes that you need to prepare for. Then I'll share the three Medicare pitfalls to avoid no matter what

year it is. By the end, you'll know exactly what to watch out for, what mistakes to sidestep,

and how to feel confident about Medicare, whether you're already enrolled, preparing for it in

the future, or helping someone you care about navigate the system. Welcome to another episode of the Stay Wealthy Retirement Show.

I'm your host Taylor Schulte, and every week I tackle the most important financial topics to help you stay wealthy in retirement.

And now on to the episode.

When you turn 65, you're faced with two big choices for your Medicare coverage.

The first option is Original Medicare.

This is the Federal Health Insurance Program made up of Part A, which covers hospital care,

and Part B, which covers outpatient medical care.

If you also want prescription drug coverage, you'll need to add a separate Part D plan.

The second option is Medicare Advantage, also known as Part C, and this is offered by private

...