Nonfiction
no-nonsense survival guide to Medicare—written by a nationally
recognized healthcare leader with over three decades of frontline experience.
Every day, about 11,000 Americans turn 65 and enter Medicare—most of
them confused, unprepared, and unaware of costly traps that can drain their
retirement savings. From missed deadlines and surprise bills to myths about
what Medicare covers, the system is filled with pitfalls that even doctors
struggle to understand.
Dr. Lance Coss wrote this book to make Medicare clear, practical, and
mistake-proof. With 65 bite-sized lessons, real stories, and plain-English
explanations, he reveals the myths, mistakes, misunderstandings, and
miscalculations that cost people money—and shows you how to avoid them.
Instead of dense government jargon, you’ll find humor, clarity, and
insider insights that put you back in control of your healthcare choices.
Whether you’re approaching 65, already enrolled, or helping a loved one
navigate Medicare, this book will give you the confidence, knowledge, and
tools to make smarter decisions and keep more money in your pocket.
● ✔ Avoid costly mistakes – Learn the 65 most common traps that derail
retirees, from missed enrollment deadlines to assuming the wrong benefits.
● ✔ Know what Medicare really covers – Get clear explanations about
hospital, doctor, prescription, dental, vision, and long-term care benefits.
● ✔ Plan with confidence – Compare plan options, costs, and coverage to
choose the right Medicare plan for your lifestyle and health needs.
● ✔ Save money on healthcare – Discover strategies to minimize
out-of-pocket costs, penalties, and billing surprises.
● ✔ Empower caregivers & families – A must-have guide for adult
children helping parents navigate Medicare decisions.
● ✔ Learn from an insider – Written by Dr. Lance Coss, a nationally
recognized healthcare executive with 30+ years of Medicare expertise.
● ✔ Easy, practical, and engaging – Bite-sized lessons with real stories
and humor make complex rules simple and memorable.
caregivers helping loved ones, and early planners who want to avoid confusion
before retirement.
Mastering Medicare is more than a book—it’s your roadmap to
clarity, confidence, and control over one of the most important decisions of
your retirement years.
EXCERPT
“At its core, Medicare operates as a massive insurance program—albeit run by the federal government—and like any insurance plan, it comes with its own rules, limitations, and exclusions. If Blue Cross or Aetna wouldn’t cover it—or has a strange rule about it—there’s a good chance Medicare won’t either. Understanding that simple truth saves people from some of the most expensive surprises.”
“The most expensive mistake in Medicare is usually the one you didn’t know you were making. I’ve met countless people who thought they were covered for the care they needed, only to discover—often at the worst possible moment—that their plan had changed, their doctor was out of network, or the medication they relied on wasn’t covered anymore. Most of them weren’t careless; they were just never told how often they needed to review their plan or what questions to ask.”
Dr. Lance Coss is a nationally recognized healthcare executive, Medicare
expert, and award-winning author with more than 30 years of experience
navigating the U.S. healthcare system. With a Doctorate in Healthcare
Administration, a Master’s in Human Genetics, and a Master’s in
Educational Psychology, he brings a unique blend of science, policy, and human
behavior to his work.
As Executive Director of a national Medicare program, Dr. Coss leads nearly
600 professionals who manage appeals, beneficiary complaints, and
quality-of-care reviews for hundreds of thousands of Americans every year. His
leadership ensures patient rights are protected, timely care is delivered, and
improper payments are reduced—safeguarding both beneficiaries and the
Medicare Trust Fund.
Recognized as one of the Top 10 Most Admired Leaders of 2025 and a two-time
recipient of CMS’s National Special Service Award, Dr. Coss is a trusted
voice in healthcare reform, patient advocacy, and program accountability.
Through his Mastering Medicare platform—including his YouTube series and
bestselling book Mastering Medicare: 65 Things Everyone Should Know Before Age
65—he helps people cut through the confusion and avoid costly mistakes.
Whether guiding readers through enrollment pitfalls or helping caregivers
support loved ones, Dr. Coss empowers people with the knowledge they need to
make smarter, more confident healthcare decisions.
When not immersed in healthcare policy, Lance writes biotech thrillers
inspired by his genetics background, or enjoys ranch life outside Tulsa with
his partner, nine dogs, three mini pigs, and a lively flock of chickens.
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