Medicare and Medicaid
Got a NOMNC? How a Medicare Fast Appeal Works
Rehab, home health, or hospice says Medicare coverage is ending? The noon deadline, a "which notice is this?" decoder, a practice quiz, a call script, and a free call sheet.
Guides
Free, plain-language guides to help your family get ready, written by The Hansome Family and built on official sources. Newest first.
Medicare and Medicaid
The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: Spreading Drug Costs Across the Year
The free Medicare option that turns big pharmacy bills into monthly bills: how the math works, a "should Mom sign up?" quiz, signing up for 2027, and a free call sheet.
Medicare and Medicaid
The Pharmacy Said No: How to Ask for a Part D Coverage Determination
When the pharmacy says the plan will not cover a drug: which request to make, who can ask, the deadlines, a "which request fits Dad?" quiz, and a free call sheet.
After a loss
Who to Notify When Someone Dies: A Printable US Checklist
Who already gets told, who you call in the first days, weeks, and month, a "who already knows?" quiz, a short call script, and a free printable call log.
Medicare and Medicaid
Medicare Savings Programs: Help Paying the Part B Premium
How the 4 Medicare Savings Programs help pay the Part B premium, the 2026 limits, a "which program fits?" quiz, and how to apply with your state, with a one-page prep sheet.
Medicare and Medicaid
Extra Help for Medicare Drug Costs: Who Qualifies and How to Apply
Who qualifies for Extra Help with Medicare drug costs, the 2026 limits, what Social Security counts, and how to apply for free, with a one-page prep sheet.
Medicare and Medicaid
Mom's Medicare Advantage Plan Is Ending or Her Doctor Left: What Now?
What to do when a parent gets a plan non-renewal letter or a notice that a doctor is leaving the network: the dates, the Medigap right, and the steps.
Medicare and Medicaid
Leaving Medicare Advantage: How the Medigap Trial Right Works
Who gets the first-year Medigap trial right after trying Medicare Advantage, the deadlines, and the safe order of steps.
Medicare and Medicaid
Your Medicare Plan's Annual Notice of Change: What to Check Before December 7
A line-by-line decoder for the September Annual Notice of Change, with a free checklist before December 7.
IEP meetings
How to Prepare for an IEP Meeting: A Parent's Countdown Checklist
A parent countdown for IEP meetings, from two weeks out to the week after, with the federal rules behind each step and a free printable.
Medicare and Medicaid
Medicaid Look-Back Period in Plain English: Myths vs Facts
The 60-month Medicaid look-back explained in plain English, with myth vs fact cards, penalty math, and a printable checklist.
Caring for a parent
Dementia Behavior Log: How to Spot the Patterns the Doctor Needs to See
Turn hard days into patterns with a before, during, and after dementia behavior log the doctor can use.
Caring for a parent
Hospital Discharge Checklist: What to Ask Before Mom or Dad Leaves
What to ask before a parent leaves the hospital, from inpatient or observation status to medicines, follow-ups, and who to call.
Caring for a parent
Questions to Ask When Touring Assisted Living (and What to Watch For)
A printable assisted living tour scorecard: questions they hope you skip, what to watch for, and how to compare three communities.
Medicare and Medicaid
Medicare Open Enrollment: A Kitchen-Table Checklist for Helping a Parent
A kitchen-table Open Enrollment checklist: find the September notice, compare plans, and decide before December 7.
Pet emergencies
Who Will Take Care of My Pet If I Die? Myths, Facts, and a Simple Plan
Myths vs facts about pet care after you die, plus a free caregiver plan card for the first 48 hours.
New puppy
Your New Puppy's First Week, Day by Day (Printable Schedule)
A day by day first week plan with a potty break chart by age and a free checklist to print.
Pet emergencies
Pet Medical Records Template: What to Keep, and Why a Shelter May Ask for It
Myths vs facts about pet records, plus a free one-page pet medical summary to print.
Family papers
Death Binder Checklist: What to Put in an In Case of Death Binder
A 10-minute "could you find it tonight?" self-check that turns into your death binder to-do list.
Pet sitters
Cat Sitter Instructions: What Your Cat Would Want the Sitter to Know
A playful note from the cat that turns into a free cat sitter mini page, plus the holiday bouquet warning every sitter should know.
After a loss
How Many Death Certificates Do I Need? Count Yours in 5 Minutes
Count your certified copies in five minutes, and learn which places take a photocopy instead.
Pet emergencies
Pet Emergency Kit Checklist: What Official Lists Agree On
CDC, ASPCA, Ready.gov, and AVMA compared, plus the paperwork most kits forget.
Pet sitters
Pet Sitter Instructions Template, With a Filled-In Example
A simple template you can copy, and a sample written out for a real-life dog and cat.
Pet sitters
What to Leave for a Pet Sitter: A Printable Checklist
The information, supplies, and instructions a sitter needs, with a free checklist.
Browse by topic
Pet Sitter Instructions
What to write down for a sitter, a neighbor, or family before you leave your pets.
Pet Emergency Plan
Kits, records, and evacuation plans for dogs and cats, based on official guidance.
New Puppy Guide
Getting ready for pickup day, the first night, and the first 90 days.
Death Binder Checklist
What to put in an in case of death binder, a free printable checklist, and how to start together.
When a Parent Dies
Calm first steps for US families in the first days after a death.
Caring for an Aging Parent
Hospital discharge, dementia care notes, and touring assisted living, one calm step at a time.
Medicare and Medicaid Help for Families
Open Enrollment, hospital status, and the Medicaid look-back, explained in plain words.
- Got a NOMNC? How a Medicare Fast Appeal Works
- The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan: Spreading Drug Costs Across the Year
- The Pharmacy Said No: How to Ask for a Part D Coverage Determination
- Medicare Savings Programs: Help Paying the Part B Premium
- Extra Help for Medicare Drug Costs: Who Qualifies and How to Apply
- Mom's Medicare Advantage Plan Is Ending or Her Doctor Left: What Now?
- Leaving Medicare Advantage: How the Medigap Trial Right Works
- Your Medicare Plan's Annual Notice of Change: What to Check Before December 7
- Medicaid Look-Back Period in Plain English: Myths vs Facts
- Medicare Open Enrollment: A Kitchen-Table Checklist for Helping a Parent
IEP Meeting Guide for Parents
How to prepare for an IEP meeting, what to ask, and how to follow up in writing.
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