• Why Your Medicare Premium Went Up (IRMAA Explained 2026)
    Apr 24 2026

    Did your Medicare premium suddenly increase?

    You may be affected by IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount)—a Medicare surcharge based on your income from two years ago.

    In this episode, local Medicare expert Amanda from I'm With Amanda breaks down:

    What IRMAA is and why it impacts your Medicare costs
    2026 income thresholds and premium increases
    How IRMAA is calculated using your tax return
    How to file an appeal using the SSA-44 form
    Common mistakes (like Roth conversions) that can trigger higher premiums
    Strategies to reduce or avoid IRMAA

    If you live in Central New York and have questions about Medicare costs, premiums, or IRMAA, this video will help you understand your options and avoid overpaying.

    🌐 Learn more: https://imwithamanda.com/

    https://imwithamanda.com/

    00:00 – Intro: What Is IRMAA & Why You Got That Letter
    00:26 – Why Medicare Premiums Can Increase
    00:55 – What IRMAA Actually Means (Simple Explanation)
    01:25 – How IRMAA Is Calculated Each Year
    01:53 – When You’ll Get an IRMAA Letter
    02:04 – Why IRMAA Is Based on Income From 2 Years Ago
    02:30 – 2026 IRMAA Income Brackets Explained
    03:05 – Married vs Single Income Thresholds
    03:29 – How Much IRMAA Can Increase Your Premium
    03:50 – Real Example: $450K Income Breakdown
    04:13 – Single Filers: Key IRMAA Thresholds
    04:45 – Life Changes That Can Reduce IRMAA
    05:26 – What Is the SSA-44 Form (How to Appeal IRMAA)
    05:49 – Qualifying Life Events That Lower IRMAA
    06:33 – Documents You Need for an IRMAA Appeal
    07:24 – Important Warning: Be Accurate With Income
    08:01 – What Does NOT Qualify for IRMAA Reduction
    08:27 – Roth Conversions & IRMAA (Big Mistake to Avoid)
    09:06 – How to Plan Ahead to Avoid IRMAA
    09:35 – Final Takeaways: Lowering Your Medicare Costs
    10:11 – How to Get Help With IRMAA Questions


    #Medicare #IRMAA #MedicareCosts #MedicareTips #RetirementPlanning #MedicarePremiums #SocialSecurity #FinancialPlanning #MedicareEducation #AEP2026 #InsuranceTips

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    12 mins
  • New Medicare Cards Coming? What You Need to Know (Avoid Scams!)
    Apr 17 2026

    Medicare is reissuing about 1.3 million ID numbers, which means some beneficiaries will receive a new Medicare card in the mail.
    In this episode, Amanda explains why this is happening, what it means (and what it doesn’t), and how to protect yourself from scammers trying to take advantage of the situation.
    If you receive a call asking for your new Medicare number—hang up and contact Medicare directly to verify.

    https://imwithamanda.com/

    #Medicare #MedicareScams #MedicareCard #SeniorHealth #MedicareUpdate #MedicareTips #AEP2026 #InsuranceTips #MedicareAdvantage #MedicareSupplement #ProtectYourInfo #scamalert

    Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/6DjpSN1GAQ0


    00:09 Intro – Amanda Medicare update
    00:17 Medicare reissuing 1.3 million new numbers
    00:26 What your new Medicare card will look like
    00:33 Important things to know about the change
    00:40 This does NOT mean your account was compromised
    00:52 You may or may not receive a new card
    01:01 Medicare will NOT call you 🚨
    01:12 Scam warning: hackers and fraud risk
    01:23 What to do if someone asks for your Medicare number
    01:30 Hang up immediately
    01:33 Call 1-800-MEDICARE to verify safely
    01:47 Why calling them yourself matters
    01:51 Timeline: cards sent March–April
    01:54 What if you don’t receive one
    02:02 Final scam reminder – don’t give your number out
    02:12 How to safely confirm your new number
    02:14 Key takeaway: protect your Medicare info
    02:23 Like & subscribe
    02:31 Podcast outro
    02:53 Compliance disclaimer

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    3 mins
  • How To Price Medicare Part D Drugs
    Feb 4 2026

    Ever want to see a tutorial on how to price Medicare Plan D drugs?
    Amanda is here to help!
    See her tutorial in this episode of the I'm With Amanda Medicare Podcast.

    Watch the video version here.

    https://youtu.be/fdg563aR37s

    https://imwithamanda.com/

    #medicarepodcast
    #medicaresyracuse
    #medicarenewyork
    #amandamaclachlan
    #imwithamandamedicarepodcast

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    32 mins
  • What to expect in Medicare AEP for 2025
    Sep 19 2025

    Medicare AEP is upon us once again!
    Listen to Amanda MacLachlan and Amber Martino discuss how to plan and what to expect in this episode of the I'm With Amanda Medicare Podcast.

    Watch the video version here.

    https://youtu.be/_mRtZ2b0tj8

    https://imwithamanda.com/

    #medicarepodcast
    #medicaresyracuse
    #medicarenewyork
    #amandamaclachlan
    #ambermartino
    #imwithamandamedicarepodcast

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    15 mins
  • Frequently Asked Medicare Questions
    Aug 15 2025

    You often ask and Amanda has the answers.
    Listen to her answer the questions she frequently gets in this episode of the I'm With Amanda Medicare Podcast.

    Watch the video version here.

    https://youtu.be/OJV2lszwKnI

    https://imwithamanda.com/

    #medicarepodcast
    #medicaresyracuse
    #medicarenewyork
    #amandamaclachlan
    #imwithamandamedicarepodcast

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    20 mins
  • Assisting Grandparents raising Grandchildren
    Jul 11 2025

    When Craig Nash found himself raising his granddaughter he came to a quick realization.
    Listen to how that forged his desire to help others in the same situation by forming It's A Grand Life.
    It's the latest episode of the I'm With Amanda Medicare podcast.

    Watch the video version here.

    https://youtu.be/_zr724HmP7k


    https://www.itsagrandlife.com/
    https://imwithamanda.com/

    #itsagrandlife
    #craignash
    #amandamaclachlan
    #medicarepodcast
    #grandparentsraisinggrandchildren

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    20 mins
  • Need To Change Your Medicare Plan? Focus on these Key Dates
    Jun 13 2025

    There are many more key dates with Medicare than just the well known Annual Enrollment period at the end of the year.
    Amanda goes thru the other key dates in this episode of the I'm With Amanda Medicare Podcast.

    Watch the video version here.
    https://youtu.be/Lab6mpXUc1M


    https://imwithamanda.com/

    #medicarepodcast
    #medicaresyracuse
    #medicarenewyork
    #amandamaclachlan
    #imwithamandamedicarepodcast

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    23 mins
  • Lifesaving Yellow Dot and Blue Envelope Programs
    May 30 2025

    You may have heard of the Yellow Dot and Blue Envelope programs but were unsure what they do.
    They are actually a lifesaving service.
    Listen to Deputy Danielle Podejko explain in this Fireside Chat interview with Amanda MacLachlan.

    Watch the video version here.

    https://youtu.be/RnfooKj_3Cg


    https://sheriff.ongov.net/
    https://imwithamanda.com/

    #medicarepodcast
    #medicaresyracuse
    #medicarenewyork
    #amandamaclachlan
    #imwithamandamedicarepodcast
    #daniellepodejko

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    11 mins