Medicare Unscripted

About Medicare Unscripted

Hosted by Kalei Trbovich, Medicare Unscripted makes Medicare easier to understand through clear, straightforward conversations on coverage, enrollment, and common questions. Each episode is designed to break down complex topics into practical, easy-to-follow information that listeners can actually use. From understanding plan options to avoiding common mistakes, Kalei helps take the confusion out of an often overwhelming process. The show is built for individuals approaching Medicare, those already enrolled, and anyone helping a loved one navigate important healthcare decisions. With a simple and approachable style, Medicare Unscripted offers honest insight without the jargon. Whether it's a solo episode or an occasional guest conversation, the goal is always to bring clarity and confidence to the Medicare journey.

Publisher

Studio77

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

10 Apr 2026

Latest episode

28 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

8 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   28 Oct 2026

   Medicare Unscripted Encore 3

   You book a hotel for the weekend. Breakfast included, housekeeping included, pool access included. On the third day you ask to extend your stay, and the front desk tells you that's a different rate. Nothing about the hotel changed. What changed was the assumption. In this Encore episode of Medicare Unscripted, Kalei Trbovich, Director of Medicare Operations at Secure Money Health, brings together two conversations that keep coming up with families and clients. First, the most expensive misunderstanding in retirement planning: believing Medicare will pay for a nursing home. It will cover skilled nursing care, which is medical, ordered by a doctor, delivered in a certified facility, and usually requires a qualifying inpatient hospital stay of at least three days. Days 1 through 20 are generally covered in full. Days 21 through 100 carry a daily coinsurance. After 100 days, Medicare stops paying. And coverage can end sooner than that, because Medicare is not paying for the stay, it is paying for progress. The moment care shifts from rehabilitation to help with bathing, dressing, eating, moving safely, or supervision for memory issues, that is custodial care, and Medicare does not cover it. That is when families meet private pay, long-term care insurance if they have it, or Medicaid planning. Second, the new Medicare GLP-1 Bridge Program. Part D has historically offered very limited coverage for medications used for weight management, which has left many beneficiaries paying hundreds or thousands of dollars a month out of pocket. The Bridge Program creates a temporary pathway for eligible beneficiaries to access certain GLP-1 medications for a fixed copay of fifty dollars a month. Kalei walks through what the program is, who may qualify, and how the process actually works. The important part: this is not automatic. You need Medicare prescription drug coverage through a standalone Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage plan, you need to meet the medical criteria, and your doctor has to submit prior authorization. Beneficiaries do not fill out a separate application themselves. It runs through the physician and the pharmacy. The medications currently identified under the program are Wegovy, Zepbound, and Foundayo. Kalei is also clear that qualifying medically does not automatically mean a medication is the right fit for someone, and that lifestyle, nutrition, and movement still matter. That conversation belongs between a patient and their provider. The Medicare side of the job is helping people understand what their plan covers, what the costs are likely to look like, and whether more cost-effective options exist. The preventable problem this week: believing Medicare is long-term care insurance. It is not. Have the conversation before you need it, because once rehab ends, the rate changes, and that is not the time to start planning. This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the federal Medicare program.

2. 

   1 Oct 2026

   Medicare Unscripted Encore 2

   This Encore episode pairs two conversations about the parts of Medicare that change after you sign up. Part one is about networks. Kalei Trbovich, Director of Medicare Operations at Secure Money Health, uses the road trip analogy: you map the route, everything looks fine, and then you hit a closure your GPS never warned you about. That is what happens when someone enrolls in a Medicare Advantage plan without understanding the provider network. She breaks down how HMO and PPO plans differ on referrals and out-of-network care, why Advantage plans are regional and built around local networks, and the distinction that catches travelers off guard: emergency care is covered anywhere, routine care is not. If you split your year between states or spend winters somewhere warm, that difference matters, and it is something to verify before you enroll rather than after. Part two is about Part D. The analogy here is the streaming service that was 9.99 a month and quietly became 19.99. Prescription drug plans auto-renew, but the plan you had last year is not the plan you have this year. Kalei walks through drug tiers and what each one costs you, the out-of-pocket cap and the catastrophic coverage phase that follows it, the prescription payment plan option that spreads costs across the year, and the difference between preferred and standard pharmacies. Same medication, same plan, different pharmacy, different price. She also explains the Annual Notice of Change, the document that spells out exactly what is shifting in your plan and that almost nobody opens. Also in this one: two rounds of Myth or Mistake, why carriers are tightening networks and adding prior authorization requirements, why formularies get reshuffled every year, and the preventable problem for each half. Questions worth asking before you enroll or renew: are my doctors in network, how does this plan work when I travel, are my prescriptions still covered, what tier are they in, and is my pharmacy still preferred. Visit securemoneyhealth.com for more information. This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the federal Medicare program. #Medicare #MedicareAdvantage #PartD #MedicareUnscripted #SecureMoneyHealth

3. 

   6 Aug 2026

   Medicare Unscripted Episode 8

   There's an organization fighting behind the scenes for your Medicare — and chances are, you've never heard of it. In this episode, I'm pulling back the curtain on HAFA (Health Agents for America): the nonprofit getting independent Medicare agents a seat at the table with CMS and the folks in Washington making decisions about YOUR coverage. I'll tell you why I joined, introduce you to the woman they call "the bulldog of the industry," and explain what all of this means for you and your plan. Fair warning: I'm a redhead and a firstborn — when I believe in something, I fight for it. And I believe in this one. Subscribe for more unscripted Medicare talk — no jargon, no sales pitch, just your neighborhood Medicare guide. Hosted by Kalei Trbovich, Director of Medicare Operations at Secure Money Health. Sponsored by Secure Money Advisors. Produced by Studio 77. #Medicare #MedicareUnscripted #HAFA

4. 

   23 Jul 2026

   Medicare Unscripted Episode

   Why did your Medicare Part B premium increase in 2026? In this episode of Medicare Unscripted, Kaylee Turbovich explains what's behind the increase, how it impacts your Social Security benefits, and what you can do to prepare for rising healthcare costs. If you have questions about your Medicare coverage, schedule a complimentary review using the link below. 👍 Like, subscribe, and leave a comment with topics you'd like us to cover next! #Medicare #Medicare2026 #MedicarePartB #Retirement #Healthcare

5. 

   9 Jun 2026

   Medicare Unscripted Episode 4

   In this episode of Medicare Unscripted, Kaylee Terbovich, Director of Medicare Operations at Secure Money Health, breaks down one of the most overlooked parts of Medicare: your Part D prescription drug plan. Many Medicare beneficiaries assume their prescription drug plan stays the same year after year. The reality? Part D plans automatically renew, but premiums, deductibles, drug coverage, pharmacy networks, and medication tiers can all change annually. In this episode, you'll learn: • How Medicare Part D drug tiers affect what you pay • Why your medication costs may increase even when you're on the same plan • The difference between preferred and standard pharmacies • What the $2,100 out-of-pocket prescription drug cap means for you • How Medicare's Prescription Payment Plan can help manage drug expenses • Why formularies change every year • What to look for in your Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) • Common mistakes Medicare beneficiaries make during Annual Enrollment If you've ever wondered why a prescription was covered one year but not the next, or why your costs suddenly changed, this episode explains what you need to know. Remember: reviewing your prescription drug coverage every year could save you money and help you avoid unexpected surprises at the pharmacy. Have questions about Medicare? Contact the Secure Money Health team to discuss your options and get personalized guidance. If you found this episode helpful, be sure to like, subscribe, and turn on notifications so you never miss future Medicare tips, updates, and educational content. #Medicare #MedicarePartD #PrescriptionDrugCoverage #MedicareUnscripted #MedicareEducation #MedicareEnrollment #PartD #HealthcareCoverage #PrescriptionCosts #SeniorHealthcare

6. 

   8 May 2026

   Medicare Unscripted Episode 3

   Welcome back to Medicare Unscripted with Kalei Trbovich, Director of Medicare Operations at SecureMoneyHealth. In this episode, Kalei breaks down a common — and costly — mistake people make when choosing a Medicare Advantage plan: not fully understanding the provider network. Using a real-life analogy of a road trip gone off course, she explains how enrolling in the wrong plan can leave you scrambling when you need care the most. What looks good on paper doesn't always translate to real-world coverage — especially when it comes to where and how you receive care. In this episode, you'll learn: The key differences between HMO and PPO Medicare Advantage plans Why provider networks matter more than you think How travel and "snowbird" lifestyles impact your coverage The difference between emergency care and routine care while out of network Common myths about nationwide coverage What questions you should ask before enrolling in a plan With networks becoming more restrictive and prior authorizations on the rise, planning ahead is more important than ever. This episode will help you avoid unexpected detours and choose a plan that actually fits your lifestyle.

7. 

   24 Apr 2026

   Medicare Unscripted Episode 2

   In this episode of Medicare Unscripted, Kaylee Terbovich breaks down one of the most common (and costly) misconceptions about Medicare: the idea that it fully protects you from major medical expenses. Using a simple real-life analogy, Kaylee explains how small gaps in coverage—like the 20% coinsurance under Original Medicare—can quietly turn into significant financial burdens if left unaddressed. Many people don't realize that Medicare Part A and Part B only cover about 80% of approved services, leaving you responsible for the remaining 20%… with no cap on out-of-pocket costs. We also cover: Why the "Medicare covers everything" belief is a mistake How rising healthcare costs make that 20% even more impactful The difference between Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans How to evaluate your own risk and coverage gaps This episode isn't about fear—it's about awareness and preparation. Understanding your coverage today can help you avoid expensive surprises tomorrow. Key takeaway: Medicare protects you from paying 100%—but not from unlimited costs. If you're approaching Medicare age or already enrolled, this is a must-watch.

8. 

   10 Apr 2026

   Medicare Unscripted Episode 1

   Welcome to the first episode of Medicare Unscripted. In this episode, Kalei Trbovich explains why Medicare timing is like having your boarding pass ready before a flight: if you miss an important step, the consequences can be stressful and expensive. She covers common myths about automatic enrollment, how employer coverage fits into the picture, and why planning ahead for Part B is so important. It's a strong introduction to the show's mission of making Medicare feel clear, practical, and easier to navigate.