5 articles
In 2026, fixed annuity rates are near their highest in years, and more Greensboro and Piedmont retirees are asking whether a fixed annuity is a safe home for money they cannot afford to lose. This plain-English guide covers how a MYGA works, what you can lock in this year, whether fixed annuities are safe, how they compare to a CD, and when a fixed annuity is the wrong choice.
Medicare covers home health care, and for covered services the beneficiary pays nothing. The hard part is getting through the door: a two-part homebound test, a need for skilled care that is part-time or intermittent, and a provider's order behind it.
Observation status is billed as outpatient care, and that time does not count toward the three-day inpatient stay Medicare requires before it covers a skilled nursing facility. Here is a plain-English 2026 guide for Greensboro and Piedmont families: the SNF trap, the MOON, the narrow new waiver, and your now-permanent right to appeal.
Medicare IRMAA 2026 is a surcharge on Part B and Part D for higher earners. Here are the income brackets, why 2024 income counts, and how to appeal.
Medicare Savings Programs and Extra Help can cover your Part B premium, deductibles, and prescription costs. Here is who qualifies in 2026 and how NC seniors apply.