Unleash the Power of The Press
David Shapiro, a Financial planner and the Regional Director of Wealth at Johnson Brunetti, a PR Works client, recently appeared on NightSide with Dan Rea on WBZ-AM. Shapiro’s segment begins around the 40-minute mark.
Big changes coming in 2026.
PLYMOUTH, MA… It’s the final quarter of 2025, otherwise known as Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP), which means it’s time to reshop prescription drug plans (Part D) for 2026.
“This is not the year to ignore those mailings from your Medicare plan. There are an unusual number of changes happening across most Part D and Part C plans. Don’t miss the opportunity to get a better plan. OEP runs from October 15th to December 7th,” explained nationally-known retirement planning guru, author and speaker Marcia Mantell.
As the founder of Mantell Retirement Consulting, Inc., a retirement education and marketing communications firm based in Plymouth, MA which is now celebrating 20 years, Mantell is renowned for “translating” Social Security and Medicare rules and complex retirement topics into language that consumers can understand. Over the years, she has developed innovative retirement income planning workshops for advisors, and comprehensive retirement education programs for plan participants and consumers at all levels of wealth.
Medicare Madness
This year, it’s imperative for consumers to review existing Medicare plans. Many Part D standalone plans have been discontinued. In Massachusetts, there were 14 Part D plans in 2025, but only 11 in 2026. A plan may no longer exist or, may have changed names. If consumers have a standalone Part D plan in 2025 that is discontinued for 2026, they MUST find a new Part D plan during OEP.
Mantell shares a few tips:
Open those envelopes from your current insurers. This includes your Medicare Part D prescription drug insurance plan. And your Annual Notice of Change from the insurer where you get your Medicare Part C (advantage) plan. Carefully review each plan’s coverage and cost, as now is the time to make changes if needed.
Review your premiums. Did you know the monthly premium for Wellcare Value Script Prescription Drug Plan (Part D) is increasing 75 percent for 2026 in Massachusetts? If you do nothing, your monthly premium will jump from $12.40 in 2025 to $21.70 in 2026. And to think it was only $0.50 in 2024 (yes, only fifty cents per month just two years ago). And Wellcare is no longer the least expensive plan in Massachusetts. This is just one example.
Check the pharmacy “in-network” status. Besides checking whether your prescriptions are covered or not, take a good look at the pharmacies in your area to make sure a pharmacy is “preferred, in-network” or just “in-network” which tend to offer better prices than “out-of-network”. Mail order is often the most cost-effective option.
Know that the out-of-pocket spending limit is higher in 2026. The new $2,100 cap on total out-of-pocket (OOP) spending for 2026 only applies to the costs of drugs included in each Part D plan’s approved list—their covered drugs. It’s not necessarily your complete cost. You need to budget for premiums and drugs that are not covered.
If you use a broker or agent, do your homework upfront. Many brokers are no longer receiving commissions from insurers in 2026, which means they may not be able to get you into the least expensive plan. So, how will you find out if you are getting the lowest cost Medicare Part D plan for 2026? You won’t if you don’t do some homework up front. Use the Plan Finder on Medicare.gov to get the full view of all plans offered in your zip code. Then, ask your broker or agent directly about the plan they are recommending. You should feel comfortable asking them why they are recommending a particular plan for you, especially if it is not the cheapest.
Unfortunately, insurers do not send any easy-to-use paper-based documents for older Americans to see if their plans will be covered in the following year. Everything has moved to online.
“Medicare is the only health insurance plan for those 65 and older once they leave their employer group plan – and it is wildly complicated,” explained Mantell. “We should not ask our older and most vulnerable citizens to try to navigate the insurance industry, the healthcare industry, and rapidly changing technologies when even Ph.D.s and other experts can’t figure out the US healthcare system. It is a labyrinth of disjointed pieces and parts, a Medicare maze. We need to do more to simplify getting high quality healthcare when we need it most.”
For more Medicare plan information, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Marcia Mantell shares additional detail about Medicare’s Open Enrollment Period on her website: https://boomerretirementbriefs.com/medicare-part-d-open-enrollment-period-is-here
About Marcia Mantell
Marcia Mantell is a nationally-known keynote speaker, author, retirement planning guru and Baby Boomer. For over 30 years, Marcia Mantell has helped the country’s foremost financial services firms and advisors increase their knowledge of complex retirement concepts and regulations. She has a remarkable ability to translate those concepts into everyday language that educates and motivates real people to take the right steps to achieve the retirement they desire. Marcia has been named an IA25 Honoree by ThinkAdvisor—one of the “advisors, experts and leaders in financial services who are pushing the industry forward.”
Mantell is the author of four must-read books (available on Amazon.com) for everyone who wants to retire. Her lively how-to discussion guide and workbook, Cookin’ Up Your Retirement Plan, was featured in the Wall Street Journal article, “5 Books to Help You Build a Bigger Nest Egg” (July 2025). Her other titles include What’s the Deal with Retirement Planning for Women, Creating Your Medicare Recipe, and her latest book, Social Security: Lightly Toasted, Not Burnt.
Mantell owns and operates Mantell Retirement Consulting, Inc., a retirement education and marketing communications firm based in Plymouth, MA — now celebrating 20 years. She regularly partners with financial institutions in the U.S. and Canada to help support the customers they serve across the retirement spectrum—from a focus on saving, to the transition into retirement, and then, how to organize and manage income to last a lifetime.
Mantell is a go-to pro for expert level retirement planning, retirement income, Social Security, and Medicare throughout the retirement industry and for reporters and journalists around the country.
For additional background on Marcia Mantell and her work with Mantell Retirement Consulting, visit https://mantellretirementconsulting.com/.
BUCKEYE, CASA GRANDE, QUEEN CREEK, PHOENIX, SURPRISE, TEMPE, YUMA, AND SCOTTSDALE, AZ; MANHATTAN BEACH AND SAN GABRIEL, CA…
LEARN Academy, which provides schools and school districts with customizable solutions across the continuum of special education and academic intervention needs, announced that its Beach Cities Learning Centers throughout California and Desert Choice Schools throughout Arizona have rebranded to LEARN Academy.
Beach Cities Learning Centers and Desert Choice Schools are currently part of LEARN Academy’s national network. Renaming the divisions to LEARN Academy enhances brand recognition and positions the organization for future growth.
In California, Beach Cities Learning Centers located in Manhattan Beach and San Gabriel have rebranded to LEARN Academy.
In Arizona, Desert Choice Schools located in Buckeye, Casa Grande, Queen Creek, Phoenix, Surprise, Tempe, Yuma, and the Chrysalis Academy campus in Scottsdale, have also transitioned to a unified brand.
LEARN Academy has been collaborating with schools and school districts since 2007. Their partnerships span the country, from Los Angeles to New York and Detroit to Miami. Schools and districts choose LEARN Academy because it offers customizable solutions that support students with autism and special needs. LEARN Academy provides an extended network of educators, clinicians, therapists, and practitioners trained in the most recent advances in evidence-based educational and intervention resources.
LEARN Academy serves all students who need special education or academic services. Their team includes specialists in school-based and online therapy services, educational professionals with expertise in academic interventions for struggling students, and professionals with decades of experience building and implementing programs for students with challenging social/emotional and behavioral needs.
“LEARN Academy is a well-known and reliable provider for districts, schools, families, and educators throughout the nation,” said Don Scheeler, President of LEARN Academy.
About LEARN Academy
LEARN Academy partners with schools and school districts nationwide to provide tailored special education services and academic and behavioral supports. LEARN Academy experienced providers can expand a school’s capacity to serve diverse learners effectively so that districts can help every learner thrive.
LEARN Academy, the sister company of LEARN Behavioral, provides evidence-based educational and intervention resources that help schools achieve success for every student. For more information, visit https://thelearnacademy.com/
MADISON, WI… The Wisconsin Early Autism Project (WEAP), the first provider of applied behavior analysis (ABA) in the state of Wisconsin, recently celebrated their 30th Anniversary milestone.
WEAP has grown to become a world-renowned leader in early diagnosis and treatment for children with autism. Their evidence-based approach to care has helped thousands of children with autism throughout Wisconsin. WEAP is part of LEARN Behavioral and is dedicated to nurturing the potential of children with autism through contemporary ABA, which treats every child as unique and considers family and caregivers a core part of treatment.
Helping children and families find success, WEAP’s 900 dedicated staff members throughout the state deliver personalized ABA therapy at 15 Learning Centers currently, which will increase to 21 Learning Centers in the near future.
According to Linda Klotz, Regional Clinical Director for the Milwaukee region, “WEAP has impacted many lives throughout our 30 years. Our families and their children have flourished because of the commitment of WEAP’s services, and clinicians have grown into strong leaders because of the dedication from their mentors at WEAP throughout the years.”
A 30th anniversary celebration with 100 in attendance was held in Madison, WI, home to two WEAP Learning Center locations. Justin Funches, President of Autism Services, delivered the celebratory toast to WEAP. In a special awards ceremony, WEAP recognized staff members Kris Van Handel, Katie Jacobs, Jamie Schuh, and Ellisa Wilbur for 15 years of service; Debbie Hultquist for 20 years of service, Heather Martyn and Rebecca Thompson for 25 years of service; Justin Sallows for 28 years of service, and Kimberly Wroblewski for 30 years of service. Additionally, and posthumously, WEAP recognized Lynn Thompson for 22 years of service. The award was accepted by her husband, John Thompson.
WEAP has center-based ABA therapy Learning Centers in Altoona, Brookfield, Glendale, Janesville, Madison, Madison South, Mount Pleasant, Oak Creek, Oshkosh, Reedsburg, Sun Prairie, and West Bend, and continues to expand. Over the past few months, WEAP has opened the doors of two new Learning Centers at 5369 N 118th Court in Milwaukee (Menomonee Falls) and 408 Red Cedar Street in Menomonie, WI. Additional Learning Centers in Beloit, East Green Bay, Greenfield, Kenosha, Sheboygan, and Stevens Point will open later this year and early 2026.
“WEAP’s future is filled with opportunity—to lead the evolution of behavioral treatment, expand our reach, and redefine what excellence looks like,” said Mary Hopton-Smith, Vice President, Clinical Services. “We are committed to creating dynamic environments where clients achieve their fullest potential, families feel supported, and employees are empowered through innovation, research, and professional growth. Our vision is not only to transform care today but to leave a legacy that inspires progress for generations.”
For more information about WEAP Learning Centers, visit https://wiautism.com/locations
About LEARN Behavioral
LEARN Behavioral is a national leader in autism treatment, offering comprehensive diagnostic services and contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). With a nationwide network of ABA providers and more than 100 Learning Centers across the country, LEARN delivers the highest standard of evidence-based care—customized to meet the unique needs and interests of each child and family. For more information, visit learnbehavioral.com.
Flexible Hours for San Diego County Area Families
CHULA VISTA, CA… Autism Spectrum Therapies (AST), a provider of LEARN Behavioral, is proud to announce the opening of its new Chula Vista Learning Center at 660 Bay Blvd., Suite 110 & 111, Chula Vista, CA 91910.
AST provides contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) center-based autism services for children ages 1-12 years. The Chula Vista Learning Center provides center-based, in-home, and community-based ABA therapy and individualized programs, including Early Intervention, Social Skills Programs, and parent education.
“We’re excited to have the opportunity to partner with new families in the San Diego area and look forward to helping find success for every child in our care,” said Heather Link, M.A., BCBA, Regional Clinical Director.
Key Features of the Chula Vista Learning Center:
– Large facility which includes an indoor gross motor spacefor physical and social development.
– ABA therapy, which includes a learning-rich environment, unique play-based learning spaces, and one-on-one support.
– A unique combination of center-based, in-home, and community-based services to best cater to families’ needs.
– A school readiness program, as well as summer programs and school break camps. Social skills groups include Weekend Club and Friday Night Hang Out.
– Flexible treatment hours to accommodate busy family schedules.
– Serving children 1-12 years old and teen programs coming soon.
– Conveniently located near Chula Vista Marina and easily accessible via I-5 and CA-94 for families in the region.
The center is now enrolling new clients based in greater San Diego with flexible treatment hours.
About AST
AST, part of the LEARN Behavioral network, is one of the nation’s leading providers of compassionate autism care. The Chula Vista Learning Center is AST’s second ABA therapy location in San Diego County. They also have a Learning Center in San Marcos and a corporate office in San Diego.
For more information or to enroll a child at the Chula Vista Learning Center, call (866) 727-8274 or visit https://autismtherapies.com/locations/san-diego
About LEARN Behavioral
LEARN Behavioral is a national leader in autism treatment, offering comprehensive diagnostic services and contemporary applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy for children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). With a nationwide network of ABA providers and more than 100 Learning Centers across the country, LEARN delivers the highest standard of evidence-based care—customized to meet the unique needs and interests of each child and family. For more information, visit learnbehavioral.com.
FRANKLIN, MA, NEEDHAM, MA, NORWELL, MA and WOBURN, MA..
Johnson Brunetti, an independent retirement and investment specialist firm founded in 2003, recently announced the addition of Bridget O’Sullivan as a client relationship coordinator.
In this role, O’Sullivan coordinates workshops and events, supports clients, and serves as a liaison between advisors and clients.
“Bridget has a wide range of management experience, having worked in the hospitality industry in operations, front desk, housekeeping, sales, and events,” said Linda Walter, Regional Operations Manager. “She is passionate about helping others and creating exceptional experiences and has been a welcome addition to our team.”
O’Sullivan attended James Madison University and earned a bachelor’s degree in hospitality administration management. She’s also earned certifications in Cvent and AllSeated.
“My favorite part of Johnson Brunetti is the people. Everyone is kind, helpful, and truly genuine. Each team member cares deeply about the company’s mission and serving our clients – and you can see and feel that commitment in every interaction with every associate,” said O’Sullivan.
A resident of Taunton, O’Sullivan enjoys hiking, reading, trying new restaurants, traveling, and spending time with friends, family, her boyfriend, and their Aussiedoodle, Luna.
About Johnson Brunetti
Johnson Brunetti is a local retirement planning firm with offices in Needham, Franklin, Norwell, and Woburn, MA. Johnson Brunetti provides the financial guidance and service that retirees and those planning for retirement need as they strive to achieve financial independence. To learn more about Johnson Brunetti and its services, call 800-208-7233 or visit www.JohnsonBrunetti.com.
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