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

Illustrated ambulance transport bill on a desk with the out-of-network balance line highlighted and circled Debt & Credit Your ambulance ride isn't covered by the federal surprise billing law Illustrated itemized hospital statement on a desk with a duplicate CT scan charge highlighted and circled Debt & Credit Your hospital bill is one line. You can ask for every charge Illustrated hospital billing statement on a desk with the financial assistance notice highlighted and the balance circled Debt & Credit Your hospital bill has a financial assistance line. It's near the bottom Illustration of a county notice of decision showing a $300,000 home transfer and a 30-month period of ineligibility highlighted Retirement You deeded the house to your kids. Medicaid still checks 60 months Illustration of an immediate annuity income quote for a $100,000 premium with the monthly income line of $625 highlighted Retirement What $100,000 buys you in monthly income at 65: about $625 Illustration of a probate fee estimate for a $500,000 estate with the total of $26,000 in statutory fees highlighted Retirement Your will still goes through probate court. A living trust doesn't Illustration of a nursing facility monthly statement showing $9,450 due and a Medicare payment line of $0.00 highlighted Retirement Your Medicare nursing home coverage ends on day 101. Then what A life insurance policy value summary on a linen-covered table comparing lapse at $0, surrender value of $24,360 and an average settlement of $212,066, with the last line highlighted and a sticky note reading "Before I lapse? Insurance Before you drop a life insurance policy, ask what a buyer pays A life insurance renewal notice on a wooden desk showing the annual premium rising from $600 to $4,800, with the new premium line highlighted and a sticky note reading "8x? Why? Insurance Your term policy's conversion deadline may come before the term ends A life insurance quote comparison sheet on a slate desk with the line for age 65 highlighted at $385 a month and a sticky note reading "2.7x vs. age 55 Insurance The same term life policy costs double at 65 versus 55