Medicare Made Simple — The Podcast with Craig Smith
Welcome to Medicare Made Simple with Craig Smith — the podcast that breaks down everything you need to know about Medicare in plain, easy-to-understand language. Whether you are approaching 65, already enrolled in Medicare, or simply trying to make sense of your coverage options, this podcast is designed specifically for you.
As an independent Medicare broker with over 25 years of financial services experience, I cover the topics that matter most to Medicare beneficiaries, from enrollment periods and plan comparisons to IRMAA, prescription drug coverage, and the latest Medicare news. Furthermore, every episode is completely free and designed to help you make more informed decisions about your Medicare coverage.
Listen and Subscribe
You can listen to Medicare Made Simple on all major podcast platforms. Subscribe today so you never miss a new episode:Latest Episodes
Episode: Medicare Part D Subsidy End
The Trump administration, through CMS, has announced it will end the Part D Premium Stabilization Demonstration, a $9.8 billion program that has helped hold down premiums for standalone Medicare Part D plans, effective after the 2026 plan year. CMS Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz says the change will raise premiums by less than $10 for most beneficiaries, with some seeing lower costs, while other analysts and advocacy groups warn certain beneficiaries could see larger increases depending on their plan. In this episode, we break down what the subsidy did, why CMS is ending it, and what it could mean for your Part D premium in 2027.
▶️ Watch on YouTube | 🎵 Listen on Spotify
Episode: Does Medicare Cover Wegovy in 2026? The Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Explained
Starting July 1, 2026, eligible Medicare beneficiaries can access Wegovy for just $50/month through the new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge program. In this episode, we break down everything you need to know about Medicare coverage for Wegovy, who qualifies, which medications are covered, and what happens after December 2027. ▶️ Watch on YouTube | 📖 Read the full articleEpisode: The Rising Tide of Medicare Supplement Birthday Rules — What Seniors Need to Know
More states are adopting the Medicare Supplement Birthday Rule — and it could give you the opportunity to switch to a better Medigap plan without medical underwriting. In this episode, Craig breaks down which 17 states currently have the Birthday Rule, which states have it pending including New Jersey, and what the trade-offs are for policyholders. ▶️ Watch on YouTube | 📖 Read the full articleEpisode: Medicare Quick Reference Guide — Everything You Need to Know
In this episode, we cover all the Medicare basics in one comprehensive guide — Medicare Parts A, B, C, and D explained simply, enrollment periods, costs, and how to choose the right plan for your needs. ▶️ Watch on YouTubeWhat We Cover on Medicare Made Simple
Each episode of Medicare Made Simple covers topics that directly affect your Medicare coverage and costs. Specifically, our episodes cover:- ✅ Medicare Advantage plans — how they work, what they cover, and how to compare them
- ✅ Medicare Supplement plans — Plan G, Plan N, and how Medigap fills the gaps in Original Medicare
- ✅ Medicare Part D — prescription drug coverage, the Part D penalty, and how to find the right drug plan
- ✅ IRMAA — how income affects your Medicare premiums and strategies to minimize your surcharge
- ✅ Medicare enrollment periods — when to enroll and how to avoid costly late enrollment penalties
- ✅ Medicare costs — premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket maximums explained
- ✅ Latest Medicare news — breaking updates that affect your coverage and costs
