I don’t watch cable TV, but I spent this weekend in a hotel room where it was available. So I noticed all the Medicare advertising during this open enrollment period. Made me wonder how these companies advertise in Georgia, where they are still competing with political ads.

What do you tell your clients about Medicare enrollment? I tell them it’s hard enough to keep up with tax law, I don’t advise on insurance. But I have seen enough clients having problems with Medicare Advantage plans that I tell those turning 65 to know what they are buying. Now I think I’ll also suggest they think about who is paying for all that advertising.

Medicare Advantage may be a good choice for low-income retirees. What I see, though, are wealthier clients with a combination of Depression-baby mentality about pinching pennies, and a conviction that they will never get sick. Along with this you find those who keep part B but don’t sign up for Part D, because they don’t need any prescriptions for now and they don’t know the cost goes up the longer they wait. Also, that a lot of chemotherapy is considered prescription medication.