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It's Not That Complicated: The Three Medicare Decisions to Protect Your Health and Money
Medicare can be a pain to understand. The right plan could save you time, money, and stress. Meanwhile, the wrong decision could mean lifetime penalties, shoddy coverage, and lousy healthcare.
It’s Not That Complicated is a short guide that teaches you how to pick the right plan for your situation. The author, Ari Parker, is a Stanford Law School graduate and Medicare expert who has helped thousands of people sign up for Medicare and save thousands of dollars. In his book, Ari breaks down Medicare into bite-sized chunks, comparing it to pizza dinners and stepping you through three key decisions until you realize …Medicare really isn’t that complicated.
Regardless of whether you’re a senior enrolling in Medicare for the first time, a financial advisor helping clients optimize their healthcare spending, or anyone else interested in learning about the benefits of Medicare, “It’s Not That Complicated” is the only book you’ll need to make the right Medicare choice for your loved ones, your clients, or yourself.
It’s Not That Complicated is a short guide that teaches you how to pick the right plan for your situation. The author, Ari Parker, is a Stanford Law School graduate and Medicare expert who has helped thousands of people sign up for Medicare and save thousands of dollars. In his book, Ari breaks down Medicare into bite-sized chunks, comparing it to pizza dinners and stepping you through three key decisions until you realize …Medicare really isn’t that complicated.
Regardless of whether you’re a senior enrolling in Medicare for the first time, a financial advisor helping clients optimize their healthcare spending, or anyone else interested in learning about the benefits of Medicare, “It’s Not That Complicated” is the only book you’ll need to make the right Medicare choice for your loved ones, your clients, or yourself.
- GenresNonfictionSelf Help
94 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 29, 2022
75 people are currently reading
36 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 21, 2022
While I am not reaching the age of Medicare enrollment I have family and friends that are. So, when I was discovered a copy of Ari Parker's, It's Not That Complicated: The Three Medicare Decisions to Protect Your Health & Money,I felt that is was important information that I needed to know for the value of the people I care about and (hopefully) myself one day. In the book, Parker was able to deduce a program that began in 1965 in under a hundred pages. I thought it would be like reading the IRS books that explain how to do your long tax form for the year. I was, however, wrong. I couldn't put the book down once I began. It was so interesting, engaging and informative, really, a book everyone needs to know about.
Take, for instance, Diane, a 73 year old woman Ari met. She had worked past the age of 65, even stayed with her company medical insurance because she liked it. When Diane retired, she couldn't enroll by way of the special enrollment period (a major life change, she has retired) because her employer had 18 employees (and, they need to have 20 or more). Therefore, on her Medicare Part B she would incur a 70% late enrollment penalty…for the rest of her life!! Ari Parker tells us that these situations are not uncommon!
Anyone that is nearing the age of 65 needs to begin thinking about their Medicare, regardless of employment. Even if you are thinking of applying in the future, after 65, you need to look at what Medicare requirements are, the coverage you will need and what is offered to make sure you will be able to apply without stiff penalties or lose options you may need, like Medigap or Medicare Advantage.
The previous portion you have read is part of a print review I published in a free newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio. After reading this book I felt it an important duty, the need to share how important this book is, not just for those who are reaching the age of 65, and Medicare enrollment, but, everyone else.
Ari Parker, the author of the book, shares at the end, the very reason he, himself, is such a big part of Medicare while in his early thirties. His own father, who spent half of his year in the United States to be with his family and the other half of the year in Israel, put off enrolling in Medicare Part B because he could get treatment and care much cheaper when returning to Israel. But, when he had a sharp pain during his six months in the U.S, his father knew he needed surgery, waited until returning to Israel to get it and died on the very plane that would take him home.
Medical care in the United States can be very expensive. The costs, the terms, plans, all the information is overwhelming. But these very things we need to know, presented in this book, to keep us and our loved ones alive. It’s Not That Complicated is an essential part for the well being of ourselves and our loved ones and a book I am very glad that I took the time out, even at forty two years of age, to read. You can bet I won’t miss learning about what I need to know at 65, when it comes time to enroll in Medicare, or, possibly, miss out on a lot of things I may need in the future. And, you can bet my loved ones will all be getting a copy of the book for Christmas!
Take, for instance, Diane, a 73 year old woman Ari met. She had worked past the age of 65, even stayed with her company medical insurance because she liked it. When Diane retired, she couldn't enroll by way of the special enrollment period (a major life change, she has retired) because her employer had 18 employees (and, they need to have 20 or more). Therefore, on her Medicare Part B she would incur a 70% late enrollment penalty…for the rest of her life!! Ari Parker tells us that these situations are not uncommon!
Anyone that is nearing the age of 65 needs to begin thinking about their Medicare, regardless of employment. Even if you are thinking of applying in the future, after 65, you need to look at what Medicare requirements are, the coverage you will need and what is offered to make sure you will be able to apply without stiff penalties or lose options you may need, like Medigap or Medicare Advantage.
The previous portion you have read is part of a print review I published in a free newspaper in Cleveland, Ohio. After reading this book I felt it an important duty, the need to share how important this book is, not just for those who are reaching the age of 65, and Medicare enrollment, but, everyone else.
Ari Parker, the author of the book, shares at the end, the very reason he, himself, is such a big part of Medicare while in his early thirties. His own father, who spent half of his year in the United States to be with his family and the other half of the year in Israel, put off enrolling in Medicare Part B because he could get treatment and care much cheaper when returning to Israel. But, when he had a sharp pain during his six months in the U.S, his father knew he needed surgery, waited until returning to Israel to get it and died on the very plane that would take him home.
Medical care in the United States can be very expensive. The costs, the terms, plans, all the information is overwhelming. But these very things we need to know, presented in this book, to keep us and our loved ones alive. It’s Not That Complicated is an essential part for the well being of ourselves and our loved ones and a book I am very glad that I took the time out, even at forty two years of age, to read. You can bet I won’t miss learning about what I need to know at 65, when it comes time to enroll in Medicare, or, possibly, miss out on a lot of things I may need in the future. And, you can bet my loved ones will all be getting a copy of the book for Christmas!
January 6, 2023
Anyone who knows me, or looks at my Goodreads shelf, knows that I require joyful reading, and happily-ever-afters. But sometimes you have to adult, and you have to do life. It’s unfortunate, but it’s true. There are a number of reasons this book (It’s Not That Complicated- The Three Medicare Decisions to Protect Your Health and Money
by Ari Parker) called to me on the #NetGalley shelf, and I’m glad I read it.
I have had quite a few conversations about Medicare, and 100% of them end up with me dazed and confused and drifting off to my happy place.
When Medicare was established in 1965, the piece of legislation was more than 1,400 pages long. This book is 85, including the glossary and thank yous. This book has no fluff. It tells you what you need to know in concise, clear language. The author could have made it longer than necessary, but he didn’t, and I appreciate him for it.
There is so much that we need to know, like there are two situations mentioned where if you don’t sign up at the time you are supposed to, you will pay late enrollment penalties- for life! I truly learned a lot, and will take it with me. I was not dazed or confused, and it makes me happy to finally understand this complicated system.
I am not near the age for Medicare yet, but I have information that my loved ones already need and others will need. I hope Ari Parker will be able to publish an updated book every year until I am 65. I love to donate books I’ve read to my Little Free Library, but this one is highlighted, dog-eared, and staying on my shelf. You can email for a worksheet to complete with your decisions and thoughts as you go, which I think is a helpful touch. I’ll be hanging on to that as well.
It’s Not That Complicated should be required reading for anyone approaching age 65.
Thank you, #NetGalley and #ItsNotThatComplicated for teaching me something that in the past I had resisted learning. All opinions are my own.
by Ari Parker) called to me on the #NetGalley shelf, and I’m glad I read it.
I have had quite a few conversations about Medicare, and 100% of them end up with me dazed and confused and drifting off to my happy place.
When Medicare was established in 1965, the piece of legislation was more than 1,400 pages long. This book is 85, including the glossary and thank yous. This book has no fluff. It tells you what you need to know in concise, clear language. The author could have made it longer than necessary, but he didn’t, and I appreciate him for it.
There is so much that we need to know, like there are two situations mentioned where if you don’t sign up at the time you are supposed to, you will pay late enrollment penalties- for life! I truly learned a lot, and will take it with me. I was not dazed or confused, and it makes me happy to finally understand this complicated system.
I am not near the age for Medicare yet, but I have information that my loved ones already need and others will need. I hope Ari Parker will be able to publish an updated book every year until I am 65. I love to donate books I’ve read to my Little Free Library, but this one is highlighted, dog-eared, and staying on my shelf. You can email for a worksheet to complete with your decisions and thoughts as you go, which I think is a helpful touch. I’ll be hanging on to that as well.
It’s Not That Complicated should be required reading for anyone approaching age 65.
Thank you, #NetGalley and #ItsNotThatComplicated for teaching me something that in the past I had resisted learning. All opinions are my own.
September 12, 2022
Easy to read and extremely helpful!
Both of my parents are on Medicare. I’ve been questioning if they’re on the right plan since my dad was hospitalized with COVID a year and a half ago. I bought this book to see if it would help me answer that question.
Not only was this a wonderfully clear and succinct explanation of the Medicare system (which is WAY too confusing to figure out on your own), it also provided a worksheet that we could use to get a definitive answer.
On top of that, the author incorporated humor and an approachable style that made this book super easy to read. I was particularly touched by his personal connection to Medicare — especially since I read this book for my own Abba!
Both of my parents are on Medicare. I’ve been questioning if they’re on the right plan since my dad was hospitalized with COVID a year and a half ago. I bought this book to see if it would help me answer that question.
Not only was this a wonderfully clear and succinct explanation of the Medicare system (which is WAY too confusing to figure out on your own), it also provided a worksheet that we could use to get a definitive answer.
On top of that, the author incorporated humor and an approachable style that made this book super easy to read. I was particularly touched by his personal connection to Medicare — especially since I read this book for my own Abba!
December 28, 2023
Full disclosure: I work with Ari and read this because despite being a policy wonk, Medicare navigation was still confusing as hell to me months into starting this job. I had to wave a white flag and admit that I needed someone to make it simple for me. So yeah, the title of this book is no joke. This is a great beginner's breakdown of what's what, and only takes an hour or two to read. It goes down easily! Now I get why people opt to work with brokers to make their Medicare plan arrangements because everyone's situation and needs are ultra specific and there are too many options and rules. This book can give you a confident lay of the land so you understand what you need to do and when and why you need to do things, and it's an important framework for how you should think about your Medicare, but it can't fully solve your specific Medicare *plan* question for you, so having an expert collaborator to help you weigh intensely personal tradeoffs as you make your selection is a game changer. Choice is empowering for consumers unless the choices are too hard to navigate and the consequences of making the wrong ones are as dire as whether you can afford to be alive and taken care of or not. And making the wrong decision can impact your whole family as they step up to help with your care as you age. So it doesn't help that a lot of brokers aren't exactly on your side because their commission incentives are often stacked against you. This is why I especially appreciated these questions Ari suggests asking brokers, since finding the right broker whose interests are actually on your side, who has the right tools to give you real visibility on costs and network info for each of your zillion choices can be a harrowing journey on its own:
1) How many carriers will you search to find a plan for me?
2) How do you search across every plan? (Hint: Medicare.gov's Plan Finder isn't thorough enough)
3) Will you help me consider Medigap plans, or just Medicare Advantage plans?
4) How often after selling me a policy will you review it to make sure it is still the best option for me?
5) How many times in the last month have you recommended plans from carriers that don't pay you commissions?
Yeesh, that last question feels like a sick burn to most brokers who won't show you plans that don't pay them which might lead you away from the plan that is actually best for you, but unfortunately without better consumer protection laws this question is necessary.
1) How many carriers will you search to find a plan for me?
2) How do you search across every plan? (Hint: Medicare.gov's Plan Finder isn't thorough enough)
3) Will you help me consider Medigap plans, or just Medicare Advantage plans?
4) How often after selling me a policy will you review it to make sure it is still the best option for me?
5) How many times in the last month have you recommended plans from carriers that don't pay you commissions?
Yeesh, that last question feels like a sick burn to most brokers who won't show you plans that don't pay them which might lead you away from the plan that is actually best for you, but unfortunately without better consumer protection laws this question is necessary.
May 12, 2023
This small book is a suitable introduction to Medicare. I have read about 3 other much longer books on Medicare and can tell you that for many people, Medicare really is complicated, and the devil is in the details.
For example, the author mentions that you can change from Medicare Advantage to original Medicare, without mentioning that you then may not be able to buy a Medigap policy due to underwriting.
Every time I read a book about Medicare I learn a little more, or get some information that I was a little shaky on cleared up. Individual stories are useful for helping remember some of the pitfalls, and Ari Parker has some very helpful ones.
So, yes read this, take notes, then read and compare details with other books.
My thanks to any author who tries to help us all sort out Medicare!
For example, the author mentions that you can change from Medicare Advantage to original Medicare, without mentioning that you then may not be able to buy a Medigap policy due to underwriting.
Every time I read a book about Medicare I learn a little more, or get some information that I was a little shaky on cleared up. Individual stories are useful for helping remember some of the pitfalls, and Ari Parker has some very helpful ones.
So, yes read this, take notes, then read and compare details with other books.
My thanks to any author who tries to help us all sort out Medicare!
November 23, 2022
IT’S NOT THAT COMPLICATED by attorney Ari Parker is a well written, easy to understand guide to Medicare. The author explains the three key parts of Medicare and the three major decisions that face everyone eligible for this program. He compares original Medicare and Medigap to Advantage plans, and describes drug plans without pushing one version or provider over another. Instead, this book contains the information you need in order to determine what is best for you now and in the future. This short book belongs in everyone’s retirement arsenal, whether you are still planning your retirement or are already in that special time after working.
December 1, 2022
A must read for all those on Medicare, definitely those coming up on 65 (the age you must apply and not to lose out, you are gonna want to look regardless of what insurance you want to stay on) and all those with loved ones of that age, so as to help them when they need it. Plus, it was ASTONISHING to read the complexity and unfairness in Medicare, even from a readers aspect only. I will never forget, around 65, to start enrollment or at least get my place for the future so as not to loose out.
July 14, 2023
A must read book for me, who just turned age 64 and has Medicare starting in less than a year. Before I talk with advisors I want to know my choices and this book lays them out very well. It is a quick read, and the discussions around the reading will take a lot longer. I appreciate the worksheet and the focus on the three basic decisions I will need to soon make. I am glad that I have started the process. Great information and just the right amount of detail.
July 25, 2025
First Dive
Reading this book was the first time I've explored what I thought was a scary subject.
I'll be more than ready when the time comes to get signed up for Medicare.
Thank you Ari and team for producing such an absolutely informative book!
Reading this book was the first time I've explored what I thought was a scary subject.
I'll be more than ready when the time comes to get signed up for Medicare.
Thank you Ari and team for producing such an absolutely informative book!
November 19, 2022
Outstanding. Clear. Holds your interest. Ari Parker takes a daunting (to me, but I’m not alone) topic and makes it easier to understand
February 12, 2023
I found this to be a helpful resource, and easy to understand. It does what it claims, by breaking down the different components of Medicare into bite-sized bits.
January 18, 2025
This is a good book for an overview of Medicare and the considerations one must understand.
June 25, 2025
Important information for new folks going to Medicare. Keep an eye on up to date information.
August 24, 2025
Excellent overview of Medicare choices. Only caveat— It does not apply to people that retire from the Federal Government.
September 22, 2025
Short, concise and easy to understand. It's not that complicated! :)
April 28, 2024
Great book that helped me understand Medicare to help a family member. Only one I've read that actually explains it simply, without assuming you already know what all the terminology means.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews