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Healthcare Before Medicare: How to Lower Your Costs

In this third episode of his four‑part series, Roger Whitney guides listeners through practical ways to lower health‑care costs before Medicare, from daily health habits to smart insurance shopping. He demystifies the ACA premium subsidy system now that the expanded credits have ended, explaining the 400% FPL cliff, how Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) is calculated, and the risks of income mis‑estimation. Whitney highlights tax‑diversification strategies—using taxable, Roth, and HSA accounts—to keep MAGI below the subsidy threshold and avoid unexpected repayment. Listener questions illustrate real‑world challenges, and a brief philosophical debate probes the ethics of deliberately shaping income to capture government benefits.