About Plain Talk Insurance
Start with the guide you need.
Why "Plain Talk"?
Most insurance information is written to protect the insurance company, not to help you decide. Fine print, acronyms, and 40-page plan documents make a simple question feel impossible.
So we do the translating. You get the facts, the tradeoffs, and the questions worth asking, with links to the official sources. That’s the whole idea, and it’s in the name.
Where to Start
| If you’re… | Start here. |
|---|---|
| Turning 65 | Read the Turning 65 checklist. |
| Already on Medicare | See what’s changing for 2027, including Providence Medicare Advantage. |
| Self-employed or retiring early | Learn how Oregon’s Marketplace works and who qualifies for help paying. |
| Protecting your family | Learn the basics of life insurance and try the calculator. |
How We Keep This Site Accurate
Every number comes from an official source, like CMS, Medicare.gov, or Oregon’s Division of Financial Regulation. Sources are listed on each page.
Pages are reviewed and dated, so you know how current they are.
Plain English only. If we use a word like “coinsurance,” we explain it.
No sales. This site doesn’t sell insurance, give quotes, or enroll anyone in a plan.
Who Writes Plain Talk Insurance
Kelly Raulerson is completing her Oregon insurance license. Until then, Plain Talk Insurance is an educational resource only.
Where to Next?
New to all this?
Start with Medicare in Oregon, health insurance in Oregon, or life insurance in Oregon.
