The Medicare Playbook

Curriculum

8 Sections
23 Lessons
Lifetime

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MODULE 1: Medicare Foundations & Why It Matters
3
MODULE 2: Medicare Enrollment — Timing Is Everything
7
MODULE 3: Medicare Costs — What You Actually Pay
3
MODULE 4: What Medicare Covers — and What It Doesn’t
2
- 4.1
  Lesson 4.1 — What Original Medicare Covers
- 4.2
  Lesson 4.2 – What Original Medicare Does Not Cover
MODULE 5: Medigap vs Medicare Advantage
3
MODULE 6: Planning for Rising Health Care Costs
2
- 6.1
  Lesson 6.1 — Why Health Care Costs Increase in Retirement
- 6.2
  Lesson 6.2 — Estimating Retirement Health Care Expenses
MODULE 7: Long-Term Care Planning
2
- 7.1
  Lesson 7.1 — What Long-Term Care Really Is
- 7.2
  Lesson 7.2 — The Likelihood and Cost of Long-Term Care
MODULE 8: Final Reminders & Next Steps
1
- 8.1
  Lesson 8.1 — Putting It All Together: Three Key Takeaways

Lesson 6.1 — Why Health Care Costs Increase in Retirement

Healthcare costs tend to rise throughout retirement for two main reasons: inflation and increased need for services. Medical inflation has historically outpaced general inflation, making health care more expensive over time.

As people age, they typically require more frequent medical visits, diagnostic testing, and prescription medications. Chronic conditions become more common, and care often becomes more complex.

These trends mean that even retirees who feel healthy today should plan for higher costs in the future.

Three Key Points