Two years to go before I must navigate the bureaucracy of Medicare! Thanks to this handy little book, I feel much more confident to decide what I need, how to get it, and what to do. Easily readable, full of good information, easily understood. I'm really glad that I found it! Recommend this to anyone close to the age of 65, or who want to help their parents, or just want to know what they have to look forward to!

As I help my aging parents navigate Medicare options (as well as me in 5 years or so) this is an extremely helpful guide in understanding the process and while it demystifies the process in a clear manner, it also helps shed light on how complicated the process is! There are many options and factors to consider - from Traditional Medicare part A (automatic - covers hospitalization), Part B (routine office visits, etc.), Part D (prescription drug coverage) vs. Medicare Advantage Plans through Private insurers. The author lays out the pros and cons of each option. I learned for example that if you don't enroll in Part D when you turn 65 and try to add it later -- you will pay penalties for this (helped answer the question for my parents in their late 80's who did not enroll it originally and whether it would be worth enrolling now). My only criticism is I felt the author should have mentioned more strongly under the cons of Medicare Advantage plans that a report issued last year by the inspector general’s office of the Health and Human Services Department, say there is troubling evidence that Medicare Advantage plans are delaying or even preventing Medicare beneficiaries from getting medically necessary care. Clearly a case for Caveat Emptor! Otherwise this is a worthwhile guide!

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC. I left this review voluntarily.

Great resource for anyone navigating the Medicare system for themselves or someone else. Medicare is much more complex than it would seem and many important decisions have to be made at certain times in the process. Incorrect decisions can result in increased cost in the future, or lost benefit. This straightforward guide is a great tool.

Great book with lot's of tips and knowledge about Medicare. I have told many friends and family about the book.

A useful and timely guide for those approaching Medicare. Useful information. Easy to read. Worth your time.

Your Simple Medicare Guide by R.J. Swanson, review.
I found this guide to be as the title suggests, simple to read and understand. As a posed to a he guide sent out by Medicare. I think that reading this one first makes reading the one put out by Medicare easier to understand and a little t less daunting. The information that the author presents and the different types and choices of what to choose and how to choose it are very clearly described, as well as put in a way that could be understand for anyone. I think that the only things that I would like to see more of in this type of guide re a couple of things.
One where the availability of education about Medicare can be had to guide seniors and those taking care of seniors, meaning Educators that are available to go to Senior Citizens Centers and do classes on applying for Medicare as well as Assisted Living Facilities, Social Security Offices, Libraries and such.
The other thing I found that could be expanded upon is more examples in the scenario’s about how penalties affect someone who applies for Medicare late with a few more reasons that this would happen. Over all it may seem that in my suggestions that I have stated here are asking for more than what the Government issued Medicare guide holds, I think that it would be helpful to have these things included.
I highly recommend Your Simple Medicare Guide by R.J. Swanson, and suggest the few recommendations to make it more informative.
I am voluntarily submitting this review.