Medicare
Meet Patient Advocate: Laura Finnelly, RN, BCPA, CSCM
Laura Finnelly is a Registered Nurse (RN), Board Certified Patient Advocate (BCPA), and Certified Senior Care Manager(CSCM) with more than 30 years of healthcare experience. As an Umbra advocate, she helps older adults, veterans, caregivers, and families navigate Medicare, complex medical situations, and care transitions with clarity and confidence. An Air Force veteran herself, Laura…
Read MoreMeet Patient Advocate, Caro Ruiz
Caro Ruiz is a patient advocate with Umbra Health Advocacy who specializes in health insurance. Over more than 20 years inside the health insurance industry, she held leadership roles at some of the largest health plans in Massachusetts, including Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, Tufts Health Plan, and Point32Health. Today, she uses that insider…
Read MoreMeet Dr. Mari Pantoja-Smith, DHSc, RN, CGNC
Dr. Mari Pantoja-Smith is a doctorate-prepared registered nurse and patient advocate with Umbra Health Advocacy. Over more than 15 years, she has supported individuals and families navigating complex medical conditions, and her background spans clinical care, digital health strategy, and care coordination. As a result, she brings both clinical depth and a systems-level view to…
Read MoreAdvocate Spotlight: Dalia Cabrera
Dalia Cabrera is a patient advocate with Umbra Health Advocacy who specializes in health insurance and billing problems. She spent 17 years working inside the health insurance industry for Medicare, and she now uses that knowledge to help patients and families fight denials, understand their benefits, and get the care they are owed. Dalia Cabrera’s…
Read MoreMedicare Costs Decoded: What You’ll Really Pay in 2026
You’ve seen the ads. A smiling person on TV holding up a big sign: “$0 premium!” Is that what Medicare costs? It sounds amazing. Free healthcare! But then you talk to your neighbor. She has Medicare. She tells you she paid $8,000 last year for medical costs. Wait, what? How can Medicare cost $8,000 if…
Read MoreMedicare Advantage vs Original Medicare 2026: Which Should You Choose?
Are you confused about Medicare? Don’t understand the difference between Medicare Advantage Plans and Medicare Part A and Part B? You are not alone. Many of our clients and their caregivers come to us for help. Should you choose Original Medicare (Parts A and B)? Or should you choose a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C)?…
Read MoreMedicare Advantage Plan Canceled for 2026? Get Your Complete Action Plan
You opened your mailbox and found a letter you weren’t expecting. Your insurance company is no longer offering your plan. Your find your Medicare Advantage plan canceled. The plan you relied on won’t be available any more starting January 1, 2026. If this happened to you, you’re not alone. Hundreds of thousands of people are…
Read MoreMedicare Marketing Can Be Shady. Here’s How To Protect Yourself.
Medicare marketing can be aggressive, misleading, and sometimes downright shady. Learn the basic Medicare marketing rules and protect yourself.
Read MoreDid You Get Something That Looks Like a Medicare Card in the Mail?
The envelope says its from Medicare. The card inside looks very official. It’s got your name on it, and a bunch of numbers and letters that don’t look at all familiar. But – can you trust it? Is this new Medicare card for real? Can you use it with your doctor and other medical needs?…
Read MoreHow To Know If You Can Trust Hospital Patient Advocates
When you or a loved one is in the hospital, you may get help from a hospital patient advocate. But those resources work for the hospital, not for you.
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