40 year corporate finance career in Corporate Finance with Fortune 500 companies including UnitedHealth and ING. Focus on insurance lines including annuities, life and health. Now retired.
AUTHOR: Doug Kaufman on 2/20/2025 FIRST: Brent Wilson on 2/20/2025 | RECENT: David Lancaster on 5/16/2025
Comments
Here’s a great example of what’s driving up the government’s costs for Medicare. I have a new medical issue that requires a specialist - all who are difficult to get an appointment with. I booked an appointment with one 3 months out. Later I found one I could see a month earlier. I’m going to keep both appointments, effectively giving me a free 2nd opinion. I wouldn’t do that if I was paying.
A related ACA income cliff issue we ran into was where one spouse crosses into Medicare and the other remains under 65. Then, the joint income is invoked on a one person household; greatly lowering the income threshold of the year prior. It’s a crazy part of the law.
Comments
Here’s a great example of what’s driving up the government’s costs for Medicare. I have a new medical issue that requires a specialist - all who are difficult to get an appointment with. I booked an appointment with one 3 months out. Later I found one I could see a month earlier. I’m going to keep both appointments, effectively giving me a free 2nd opinion. I wouldn’t do that if I was paying.
Post: A discussion on health insurance, premiums, profits and such- a 50 year perspective most people don’t want to accept
Link to comment from July 17, 2026
And larger profits (didn’t say margin) as medical costs rise. (As mentioned above).
Post: A discussion on health insurance, premiums, profits and such- a 50 year perspective most people don’t want to accept
Link to comment from July 17, 2026
A medical insurer equivalent to that of wealth advisors earnings rising as the market increases.
Post: A discussion on health insurance, premiums, profits and such- a 50 year perspective most people don’t want to accept
Link to comment from July 17, 2026
Love this post. Maybe I too need to get out there and “sing”!
Post: So Maybe That’s What It’s All About
Link to comment from July 11, 2026
I’m truly not trying to be a wise guy by asking - How’s that performing?
Post: What’s in your portfolio ?
Link to comment from July 4, 2026
I thought you’d address something truly costly like many insurances
Post: Exercising true frugality
Link to comment from July 4, 2026
A related ACA income cliff issue we ran into was where one spouse crosses into Medicare and the other remains under 65. Then, the joint income is invoked on a one person household; greatly lowering the income threshold of the year prior. It’s a crazy part of the law.
Post: A $30,000 Mistake
Link to comment from July 4, 2026
In a non-qualified portfolio yes. Or simply balance using the composite of all your portfolios - qualified and non-qualified.
Post: When to Leave Your Portfolio Alone
Link to comment from June 27, 2026
It’s time to move away from that initial intent in order to save SS while remaining fair.
Post: Many seniors think we paid for our Social Security benefits based on the FICA taxes we paid. Let’s dispel that myth- we didn’t
Link to comment from June 20, 2026
Regardless, the income earned over the cap may be 100% or so on those 6% of individuals.
Post: Many seniors think we paid for our Social Security benefits based on the FICA taxes we paid. Let’s dispel that myth- we didn’t
Link to comment from June 20, 2026