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The Long View

Phil Moeller: A Road Map for Navigating Medicare

Oct 22, 2024
Phil Moeller, the primary author behind the popular 'Get What’s Yours' guidebook series, shares his extensive expertise on Medicare and Social Security. He discusses the complexities of navigating Medicare financing and the recent changes in drug costs, emphasizing the importance of understanding both traditional Medicare and Medicare Advantage plans. Moeller highlights valuable resources for consumers, such as the Medicare plan finder and the Kaiser Family Foundation. His insights equip listeners with crucial knowledge to maximize their healthcare benefits.
54:59

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The 'Get What's Yours' series significantly impacted public understanding of social security, particularly through the exposure of the 'file and suspend' loophole.
  • Understanding Medicare funding sources is essential, as many consumers underestimate the extent of taxpayer support beyond payroll taxes for their healthcare costs.

Deep dives

Impact of 'Get What's Yours' on Social Security

The publication of the 'Get What's Yours' series significantly influenced social security policy and public understanding of benefits. The book highlighted a claiming technique known as 'file and suspend', which allowed higher-income individuals to maximize their spousal benefits while still accruing their personal social security benefits. This loophole, previously utilized by many, was ultimately deemed unintended by policymakers and led to legislative changes that closed the loophole. Consequently, the book not only propelled sales but also sparked a serious examination of inequities within the social security system.

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