In Good Company: Eldercare in Your Backyard

What happens when you stop avoiding the hardest topic of all — your own mortality? In this raw and deeply human episode, John Ray, Spencer Ernst, and Executive Producer Alex Wallace sit down to have the conversation most people never do — about death, legacy, and the relationships that shape who we are. This episode explores the Hospice Foundation for Outreach’s inspiring Bucket List +1 program — a simple but powerful initiative th...

Mayo Clinic has announced that starting January 1st, 2026, it will leave most UnitedHealthcare and Humana Medicare Advantage networks. For thousands of seniors across the Midwest, Mayo will no longer be “in-network.”

In today’s episode of In Good Company: Eldercare in Your Backyard, host Spencer Ernst breaks down exactly what this means—clearly and without the noise.

✔️ Who’s affected by Mayo’s netwo...

What does leadership really feel like when the stakes couldn’t be higher? In this riveting episode, Dr. Curt Mattson pulls back the curtain on the emotional, mental, and even spiritual reality of leading when pressure mounts and failure isn’t an option. Forget the highlight reels — this is what it looks like when courage meets exhaustion, when confidence meets doubt, and when conviction is tested by crisis. Dr. Mattson shares hard-...

If you’ve seen shocking increases in your Medicare Part D drug plan premiums — you’re not imagining it. In 2026, some plans are jumping by hundreds of percent, deductibles are climbing, and a few $0 premium options are disappearing altogether. In this episode, Spencer breaks down exactly why this is happening — and, more importantly, how you can protect yourself from overpaying. From the Inflation Reduction Act’s new rules to the r...

In a world where healthcare often feels impersonal, Dr. Curtis Mattson is proving that technology and empathy don’t have to compete — they can collaborate. As the Administrative Director of Cardiovascular Services at CoxHealth, and a clinical psychologist by training, Dr. Mattson brings a rare perspective to how people and systems thrive together. In this conversation, we dive deep into the evolving relationship between AI, leaders...

Turning 65 soon? You’re about to make one of the most important (and confusing) health decisions of your life — choosing between Medicare Advantage and Medigap (Supplemental Insurance).

In this episode of In Good Company, Spencer breaks down what’s new for Medicare in 2026, how each path actually works, and which option could save you thousands. Learn the key differences between Medicare Advantage (Part C) and Original Medicare + M...

In this episode of In Good Company, Spencer breaks down one of the biggest Medicare myths — what’s actually covered for dental in 2026, and what isn’t. From cleanings and crowns to dentures and implants, most dental care falls outside of Original Medicare. But that doesn’t mean you’re stuck footing the whole bill.

You’ll learn: ✅ What dental services Original Medicare (Parts A & B) really covers ✅ How Medicare Advantage (Part C...

We’re joined by Dr. Ruth Ann Wood-Humiston and Gabriel “Gabe” Humiston from Walnut Lawn Funeral Home, Ltd. — a trusted, family-owned funeral home in Springfield, Missouri serving families with “Tender Moments – Tender Care” since 1989. Dr. Ruth Ann, a second-generation owner and licensed funeral director with over 35 years of experience, continues the compassionate legacy started by her parents. Her son, Gabe Humiston, now the gene...

Medicare Advantage vs. Supplement (Medigap) — what’s the real difference, and which one actually protects you when life takes an unexpected turn? In this episode of In Good Company, we break down the fine print that could save you thousands of dollars — and a whole lot of stress. Financial advisor Paul Morrison joins host Spencer Ernst to unpack: 💡 Why Medicare Advantage and Supplement plans (like Plan G or Plan N) are two complet...

In this special edition of In Good Company, we sit down with Anjanette LaBellarte and Matt Day from the Hospice Foundation for Outreach (HFO) — a nonprofit dedicated to ensuring dignity at life’s end. Together, they share personal and professional insights that redefine what hospice and palliative care truly mean. Matt opens up about surviving cancer and how it reshaped his purpose, while Anjanette reflects on her experience as a c...

Traveling doesn’t have to slow down as you age — it just takes a little planning and the right resources! In this video, we’ll cover how seniors can save money on flights, find the best travel deals, and navigate airports stress-free — even with mobility challenges like using a wheelchair, cane, or walker. From booking affordable flights to getting airport assistance and making long trips more comfortable, this guide will help you ...

The Medicare Part D prescription drug market has changed dramatically — and if you rely on it, you need to know what’s coming next. In this video, I’ll break down why the number of available Part D plans has dropped so sharply, how rising premiums and narrower formularies could impact you, and what new rules (like the $2,100 out-of-pocket cap) mean for your wallet. We’ll also cover: The five biggest changes to expect in 2026 Why so...

If you’re approaching Medicare eligibility or helping someone who is, this episode is for you. We break down one of the most common and confusing questions: Should you choose Medicare Advantage—or stick with Original Medicare and add a supplement like Plan G or Plan N? In today’s episode, we’ll help you understand: ✅ The real cost differences between Medicare Advantage, Plan G, and Plan N ✅ How copays, deductibles, and out-of-pocke...

What does it really mean to walk alongside someone through one of the hardest journeys of their life? In this episode of In Good Company, we sit down with Candi Jordan, a nurse practitioner at Oncology Hematology Associates with more than 24 years of experience caring for cancer patients.

From the moment of diagnosis through treatment, survivorship, and even end-of-life care, Candi approaches each patient with deep compassion and a...

The Big Picture: About 69 million Americans are on Medicare. Roughly 52–54% (≈ 37 million people) have Medicare Advantage (MA) plans. In 2026, hundreds of MA plans—especially PPOs—are being eliminated nationwide. Over 1 million enrollees may lose their current plan (≈ 3% of all MA members). UnitedHealth Group , the largest insurer, will drop plans serving more than 600,000 members — mainly PPOs and group MA plans. ⚠️ What This Mean...

This week on In Good Company, we’re breaking down the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — signed into law by President Trump on July 4, 2025 — and what it means for healthcare here in Southwest Missouri and across the country. This sweeping 887-page law reshapes how healthcare is funded and accessed in America. From Medicaid (MO HealthNet) work requirements to shorter enrollment windows on HealthCare.gov, and even new rules affecting Medi...

Most of you have probably heard that Medicare 2026 is shaping up to be a year of big changes—some are even calling it a complete reset. But the real question is, do you know what’s changing, why it’s happening, and how you can respond in a way that benefits you? That’s exactly what we’ll cover today, so when these changes arrive, you’ll be informed, prepared, and ready to make smart decisions. Change is touching nearly every part o...

In this episode of In Good Company, we sit down with Carol Hudspeth, Executive Director of the Missouri Alliance for Care at Home, to explore the critical fight to protect and expand home-based services in Missouri. Carol shares how the Alliance is working tirelessly to prevent funding cuts, advocate for sustainable Medicaid reimbursement, and ensure seniors and individuals with disabilities can continue living independently in the...