Author

Margaret Collins

Margaret Collins is a Senior Health Expert and Certified Medicare Counselor (SHIP) with over 20 years of experience helping older Americans navigate Medicare, Social Security, and senior wellness. She holds a Master of Public Health (MPH) from Johns Hopkins University and has been quoted in AARP, Healthline, and The Wall Street Journal on issues affecting seniors. Margaret is dedicated to making complex health and benefits information accessible, accurate, and actionable for adults 65 and over.

447 Articles

Medicare IRMAA 2026 senior woman reviewing Medicare income surcharge documents

Medicare IRMAA 2026: How to Reduce Your High-Income Surcharge

By Margaret Collins

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4 Min Read

If your income in retirement exceeds a certain threshold, Medicare charges you significantly higher premiums for both Part B and Part D — a surcharge known as IRMAA. In 2026, Medicare IRMAA catches hundreds of thousands of seniors completely off guard,…

best Medigap plans 2026 senior couple reviewing Medicare supplement options with agent

Best Medigap Plans 2026: Which Medicare Supplement Saves Most?

By Margaret Collins

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5 Min Read

Original Medicare leaves seniors responsible for 20% of all outpatient medical costs — with no cap on what you can owe. A single hospitalization or major surgery can mean thousands of dollars in unexpected bills. Medigap plans in 2026 — also called…

high blood pressure treatment seniors 2026 man checking blood pressure at home

High Blood Pressure in Seniors 2026: New Treatment Guidelines

By Margaret Collins

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4 Min Read

High blood pressure — or hypertension — affects nearly 70% of Americans over age 65, making it the single most common chronic condition in older adults. Yet in 2026, treating high blood pressure in seniors is far more nuanced than simply prescribing a…

Medicare hospice care coverage 2026 senior receiving compassionate home care

Medicare Hospice Care Coverage 2026: Complete Family Guide

By Margaret Collins

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4 Min Read

When a loved one faces a terminal diagnosis, the last thing a family should worry about is the cost of compassionate end-of-life care. Medicare hospice care coverage 2026 provides one of the most comprehensive benefits available to seniors — and yet…

active senior man reviewing Social Security earnings rules at home desk 2026

Social Security Earnings Test 2026: Work Rules Every Senior Must Know

By Margaret Collins

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5 Min Read

Working while collecting Social Security in 2026? Know the $24,480 and $65,160 earnings limits, how benefits are withheld, and the new Freedom to Work Act proposal.

senior receiving shingles Shingrix vaccine from pharmacist in 2026

Shingles Vaccine 2026: Free with Medicare & Why You Need It Now

By Margaret Collins

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4 Min Read

Shingles vaccine is free for Medicare Part D seniors in 2026. Learn why Shingrix is 97% effective, who must get it, and how to claim yours at no cost.

senior patient receiving care in Medicare skilled nursing facility 2026

Does Medicare Cover Nursing Home Stays in 2026? SNF Guide

By Margaret Collins

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5 Min Read

Does Medicare cover nursing home stays in 2026? Learn exact SNF costs, eligibility rules, what's covered, and critical gaps every senior must plan for.

senior woman checking blood sugar with continuous glucose monitor at home 2026

Diabetes in Seniors 2026: New ADA Standards That Change Your Care

By Margaret Collins

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5 Min Read

The ADA released new 2026 diabetes standards for seniors. Learn what changed in glucose monitoring, medications, and treatment goals—and how to act now.

senior woman practicing yoga as a complementary therapy for healthy aging in 2026

Complementary Therapies for Seniors 2026: 8 Proven Treatments Doctors Now Recommend

By Margaret Collins

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6 Min Read

A landmark study from Mass General Brigham released in 2026 has put a striking number on something many seniors already know intuitively: 58% of older adults used at least one complementary health approach in the past year, and more than 75% have tried…

senior man doing exercises for neuropathy relief at home in 2026

6 Best Exercises for Neuropathy Seniors 2026: Reduce Nerve Pain

By Margaret Collins

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5 Min Read

If you’re one of the 20 million Americans living with peripheral neuropathy, you may have been told to “take it easy” — but emerging research is telling a very different story. Exercise for neuropathy seniors is no longer just…