TRANSCRIPT: 

Imagine escaping a blizzard up north to enjoy sunny Florida, only to find out your Medicare plan didn’t make the trip with you. For snowbirds, choosing the right coverage isn’t just about your health. It’s about freedom, peace of mind, and avoiding surprise medical bills from a different ZIP code.

Hi, I’m Hunter Brockway, founder of Boca Retirement Strategies, here to guide you to a successful, stress-free retirement while spending more and avoiding needing taxes.

Let’s start with the big two players in the Medicare world.

Option one: Original Medicare paired with a Medigap plan.
This combo gives you nationwide access. If a provider accepts Medicare, you’re in. Whether you’re in Boston, Boca, or Boise, you’re covered.

It also means predictable costs. Medigap fills the gaps that Original Medicare leaves behind, like copays and coinsurance. It’s ideal if you split time between states or travel frequently in retirement.

Option two: Medicare Advantage.
This might look cheaper upfront with lower monthly premiums, but here’s the catch: these plans are typically tied to local networks. Routine care outside your home area may not be covered. And if it is, you might face higher out-of-pocket costs.

In emergencies, yes, you’re covered anywhere. But try getting a follow-up or referral while you’re away — that can be a headache.

For example, a couple from Massachusetts winters in Florida. One of them needs physical therapy after a fall. With Medigap, no problem. They see a Medicare-approved provider and move on with their vacation.

With Medicare Advantage, they find out their plan only covers that type of care back home, and suddenly their sunny getaway turns into a paperwork mess.

If this video got you thinking about your own retirement planning, I’d like to offer you something to help you see the bigger picture. We’ve created a tax-smart, comprehensive retirement workbook for pre-retirees and retirees.

If there’s one thing I’ve noticed in my years of working with individuals, it’s that there’s always at least one aspect in the planning process where they say, “Hm, I haven’t thought about that before.” No matter how smart they are, how much they’ve saved — something comes up. Whether it be realizing they can spend more than they thought, realizing their tax bill is going to be high in retirement, or seeing they’re about to leave money on the table with their current Social Security claiming strategy.

This workbook is designed to help you walk through the most critical areas of retirement planning with action steps, false beliefs, and areas for you to input your own reflection items.

You can download the workbook by going to the link below in the description. If you have any issues with that link, send us an email at contact@bocaretirement.com.

Some key considerations for snowbirds like you:

Flexibility. If you’re often on the move, Medigap offers true portability.
Costs. Medicare Advantage may seem more affordable month-to-month, but Medigap offers predictability and fewer surprise expenses.
Enrollment. Miss your Medigap window, and getting back in could mean medical underwriting — translation: higher cost or even denial based on your health history.

If you’re a snowbird or thinking about becoming one, and you’ve wrestled with Medicare decisions, drop your experience in the comments below. And if you have questions, send them in to contact@bocaretirement.com.

Bye.