Search

Margaret Linwood

Senior Editor, Medicare & Health Costs

Margaret Linwood edits Moneystretching's coverage of Medicare, Social Security, long-term care and the cost of health care after 60. Her pieces start from the paperwork people actually get: the Annual Notice of Change, the COLA letter, the itemized hospital bill. She works from primary sources such as CMS, the Social Security Administration and KFF, lists them at the end of every article, and updates a piece when the official figures change. She doesn't sell insurance and doesn't recommend specific plans or companies.

32 articles

Stories by Margaret Linwood

— A travel medical coverage summary on a desk showing an emergency evacuation cost of more than $100,000 and Original Medicare's share listed as $0, with a sticky note reading "Buy before you sail". Medicare Your Medigap plan pays 80% abroad, up to a $50,000 lifetime cap — A timeshare maintenance fee statement on a desk showing an annual fee of $1,400 and a resale listing value of $1, with a sticky note reading "Call the developer first". Debt & Credit The timeshare exit that starts with a free phone call to the developer A printed price comparison sheet on a desk showing five monthly prices for a semaglutide pen, with the $274 Medicare negotiated price for 2027 circled. Medicare Your Part D plan's Ozempic price is based on $274 starting January Illustrated medical alert service order form on a linen desk with the first-year total of $834 circled and a sticky note reading "Ad said $40? Insurance Your medical alert bill can double once fall detection is added Illustrated surgical cost estimate on a slate desk showing Medicare's covered share of $343 and a premium lens upgrade of $2,400 per eye circled, with a sticky note reading "Not covered? Medicare Your cataract surgery bill has two parts. Medicare pays only one Illustrated pharmacy price summary on a dark desk showing four prices for one prescription, with the $14 discount price circled and a sticky note reading "Ask first Medicare Your copay can be higher than the pharmacy's cash price Illustrated hearing aid purchase quote on a wooden desk with the $4,200 bundled price circled and a sticky note reading "Itemize this? Medicare Your $4,000 hearing aid quote bundles years of office visits Illustrated dental treatment estimate on a desk with the $5,650 total circled and a sticky note reading "$4,200 → $5,650 Insurance Your implant quote may leave out the scan and the bone graft Illustrated 2027 health plan renewal notice on a desk with the new monthly premium highlighted and circled Insurance Your 2027 subsidy stops at $63,840. Here's how the line is drawn Illustrated credit report page on a desk with a medical collection account under $500 highlighted and circled Debt & Credit Your paid medical bill shouldn't be on your credit report anymore