Medicare Online Tools Update: December 7th Enrollment Deadline

🔴 Medicare Online Tools Update: December 7th Enrollment Deadline

AI POLICY & AGING INTELLIGENCE™ | NEWSLETTER #143

September 6, 2025 | 8-minute read | Curated by HanhDBrown

Recent Aging Research Worth Knowing

Scientists are studying whether certain medications and eating patterns might slow aging itself, not just treat age-related diseases. The research from geroscience looks at three approaches: dietary changes (specifically caloric restriction), a diabetes drug called metformin, and compounds called senolytics that remove old cells from the body.

These aren’t miracle cures – they’re being studied to see if they can slow the biological processes that lead to multiple age-related diseases at once. The research suggests that instead of treating heart disease, diabetes, and dementia separately, we might one day address the underlying aging process itself.

What this means for you: These treatments are still experimental. But the shift in thinking – from treating diseases to treating aging – could change how we approach health in our 70s and 80s. Worth discussing with your doctor if you’re interested in clinical trials.

Medicare and Social Security Updates

The Social Security Administration has updated their online systems to reduce wait times and improve service. This is one of the largest modernization efforts in the agency’s history.

What’s actually new:

Online benefit verification letters (no more waiting for mail)
Direct deposit changes without calling
Replacement Medicare cards ordered online
Better cost-of-living adjustment calculators

The reality check: The systems work better than before, but aren’t perfect. Peak times (Mondays, lunch hours) still see slowdowns. Best tip: Try early morning or evening access.

Meanwhile, research on telemedicine for dementia care reveals both promise and problems. While telehealth could bring specialists to rural areas, barriers remain:

Technology literacy gaps
Inconsistent internet access
Insurance coverage varies wildly
Some cognitive assessments still need in-person visits

December 7th deadline reminder: Last day for Medicare Open Enrollment. The Plan Finder at Medicare.gov has improved but still requires patience. Set aside an hour, have your drug list ready.

Veterans alert: The, VA-Medicare payment loophole persists. The VA cannot bill Medicare for services, creating coverage gaps. If you use both systems, understand that coordination remains manual – you’ll need to track what’s covered where.

Important Fraud Alert

A Brooklyn woman just pleaded guilty to stealing $68 million through fake adult day care centers She billed Medicaid for services never provided and paid kickbacks to recruiters who brought in victims.

How these schemes work:

Fraudsters target vulnerable seniors through community centers and churches
They offer free services or small payments to get your Medicare/Medicaid information
They bill for phantom services – sometimes for years
Victims often don’t know until investigators call

Protect yourself:

Never give your Medicare number to door-to-door salespeople
Never pay upfront for Medicare-covered services
Always verify callers claiming to be from Medicare (hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE)
Review your Medicare Summary Notices – check that services billed match services received
Be especially cautious with adult day care facilities – verify their licenses with your state
If someone offers you free equipment or services “paid by Medicare” – verify with Medicare first

Quick Summary: What You Need to Know

Social Security’s online tools are improved – worth setting up your account
December 7th – Medicare Open Enrollment deadline
Veterans note: The VA still can’t bill Medicare for services (details here)
Tax strategy: Consider tax gain harvesting if you’re in a low bracket this year
Health tip: Intermittent fasting research shows benefits for metabolism

The Aging Code

Retirement Planning: Three Stages to Consider

Vanguard’s research identifies three distinct retirement phases, each needing different financial strategies:

Early retirement (Years 1-5): The “honeymoon phase” where spending often increases as you travel and pursue hobbies you’ve been putting off. Many retirees underestimate this phase.

Middle retirement (Years 6-15): Spending typically stabilizes but healthcare costs begin creeping up. This is when sustainable withdrawal strategies become critical. The old 4% rule may not work in today’s environment.

Later retirement (Years 16+): Long-term care becomes the wild card. One in four people will need nursing home care, currently averaging $90,000-100,000 per year.

The psychology of retirement fears reveals deeper concerns beyond money. Research shows retirees fear:

Loss of identity (who am I without my job?)
Cognitive decline from lack of mental stimulation
Social isolation as work relationships fade
Becoming irrelevant or invisible

Understanding these fears helps explain why some people with adequate savings still can’t pull the retirement trigger. Financial planning is only part of the equation.

One Thing to Do Today

Pick one (10 minutes max):

Medicare: Log into Medicare.gov and check if your drugs are covered next year Finance: Review one beneficiary form Tech: Set up your Social Security online account Health: Try eating within a 12-hour window (7am-7pm, for example)

The Aging Code

Your Medicare Enrollment Checklist

Before December 7th:

Review your current coverage at Medicare.gov
Check if your doctors are still in-network
Verify your medications are covered
Compare total out-of-pocket costs, not just premiums
If you’re a veteran, understand the VA-Medicare limitations

Year-End Financial Moves to Consider

Tax Gain Harvesting – An Underused Strategy

Schwab’s guide explains a strategy most people miss. If you’re in a lower tax bracket this year (common in early retirement), you can sell appreciated investments and immediately buy them back. This resets your cost basis higher, reducing taxes for your heirs.

Example: You bought stock for $10,000 that’s now worth $30,000. If you’re in the 0% or 15% capital gains bracket this year, sell and immediately repurchase. Your new basis becomes $30,000. When your heirs inherit, they save thousands in taxes.

Roth Conversions While You Can

If your income is lower this year, consider converting some traditional IRA money to a Roth. Three strategies to reduce the tax hit:

Convert just enough to fill your current tax bracket
Use qualified charitable distributions to offset the tax
Time conversions in years with high deductions

Reverse Rollovers – Moving Backward Can Move You Forward

Schwab’s analysis shows when moving money from an IRA back to a 401(k) makes sense:

Better creditor protection in some states
Can delay required distributions if still working
May allow backdoor Roth strategies

Inherited IRA Rules Changed Again

The new distribution requirements are complex. Most non-spouse beneficiaries must empty inherited IRAs within 10 years, with annual distributions required. Missing these can trigger 50% penalties.

The Aging Code

Coming Changes to Watch

Healthcare Policy Shifts

The 2025 Federal Budget, signed July 4, includes significant changes:

Medicaid work requirements for certain recipients
Modifications to the Affordable Care Act
Health Savings Account expansions

Implementation varies by state, with complex timelines. If you’re on Medicaid or help someone who is, verify how your state will handle these changes.

Technology in Dementia Care

New sensor research shows devices can predict behavioral changes in dementia patients before they happen. These multimodal sensors track:

Sleep patterns
Movement changes
Environmental factors
Daily routine variations

The system alerts caregivers to potential issues, allowing intervention before crisis. While not yet mainstream, expect to see these in memory care facilities within 2-3 years.

Where Your Medicaid Dollars Actually Go

The government’s analysis of nursing facilities examined how 26 facilities used Medicaid reimbursements in 2018 and 2021. The findings: huge variations in how much goes to direct patient care versus administration.

Some facilities put 75% toward care; others as little as 40%. This data is now public – worth checking before choosing a facility.

Intermittent Fasting: What the Science Actually Says

New research shows intermittent fasting affects multiple body systems:

Recalibrates hormonal circadian rhythms
Reshapes gut microbiota
Impacts inflammatory processes

The most studied approach: eating within an 8-12 hour window daily. While promising for metabolic health, researchers caution it’s not for everyone – especially those on diabetes medications or with eating disorder history.

For Business Owners: AI Integration Support

If you’re running a business and want to explore how AI tools can streamline operations, I offer consulting on building integrated systems. Reply to this email if you’d like to discuss.

The Aging Code

Final Thoughts

The healthcare system is getting more digital whether we like it or not. The good news: once you learn these systems, they actually do save time. Pick one tool to master this month – whether it’s Medicare.gov, Social Security’s site, or your state’s Medicaid portal.

Next week: How the new Medicaid work requirements will be implemented state by state.

Resources and Sources

Government Resources:

Research and Medical:

Financial Planning:

Additional Support: