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Got a Medicare question for you olddudes...

108.39.196.215
Posted on June 3, 2020 at 09:33:48
ghost of olddude55
Audiophile

Posts: 32545
Joined: July 14, 2017
 I'm eligible starting next month. Got a letter today from Social Security telling me my premium will be deducted starting with the July benefit.

Does this mean I don't have to sign up for Medicare?



The blissful counterstroke-a considerable new message.

 

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RE: Got a Medicare question for you olddudes..., posted on June 3, 2020 at 09:43:39
Gary
Audiophile

Posts: 1294
Location: New York, NY
Joined: April 21, 2000
 Maybe this will help:

 

RE: Got a Medicare question for you olddudes..., posted on June 3, 2020 at 09:56:43
Mike_in_MD
Audiophile

Posts: 1431
Location: Maryland
Joined: May 1, 2005
 You don't have to sign up. You only have to sign if you DON'T want medicare !

 

But medicare doesn't cover some type important situations..., posted on June 3, 2020 at 10:01:26
Steve O
Audiophile

Posts: 12364
Location: SE MI
Joined: September 6, 2001
 ..so Mr. Olddude might want to look into supplements provided by private ins.

 

I don't have to worry about the supplementary stuff right now., posted on June 3, 2020 at 10:06:22
ghost of olddude55
Audiophile

Posts: 32545
Joined: July 14, 2017
 That's all still covered under my trouble-and-strife's insurance.



The blissful counterstroke-a considerable new message.

 

RE: Got a Medicare question for you olddudes..., posted on June 3, 2020 at 10:54:33
Rod M
Web Geek

Posts: 16242
Location: So. California
Joined: March 1, 1999
Contributor
  Since: March 1, 1999
 I'm assuming that you have already signed up and are getting Social Security benefits. If so, they will take the Part B premium from your SS check. Note that Part B still has deductibles that can be substantial.

However, you do have to be careful as to Part A and Part D. If you don't sign up for those initially, you will pay more them in the future and some may require physicals to establish costs later. You can get a simple, generic med Part D policy for about $20 a month.

You have other coverage and I don't know how that works versus a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan that covers all your Part A and B deductibles. You may want to talk to several of the many people that are sending you spam mail to sign up. Some are quite good and can help you decide what is best for you.

On the Advantage programs, you can select a PPO plan from Kaiser or others often for no premiums, but you have to use their facilities and it may have copays. I chose an Anthem Blue Cross plan for about $150/mo and it covers everything and I never pay a dime more and can go to any Doctor that I want without any referral requirement. Depending on what it costs for your current insurance, it may be cheaper and it ensures that you don't get surprised later by not taking a plan at the beginning.

-Rod

 

RE: Got a Medicare question for you olddudes..., posted on June 3, 2020 at 11:04:04
BillH
Audiophile

Posts: 3913
Location: Baton Rouge
Joined: December 23, 1999
 No, you're good to go. BUT, be sure to get Par tB supplemental coverage (up to you) and Rx coverage in Part D (also up to you). Get the best Part B coverage you can afford, because it can save big bucks down the road, like the $200K procedure for a pacemaker I got about a year ago. Shop the hell out of those prescription plans, too, to make sure you get the best/most convenient deal. Plenty of help online.

Good luck--now you are truly an old dude!

 

"If you don't sign up for those [other parts] initially, you will pay more them in the future", posted on June 3, 2020 at 11:54:57
Chris from Lafayette
Audiophile

Posts: 26437
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: February 17, 2004
Contributor
  Since: February 6, 2012
 Yes!

We had a friend who was lackadaisical in signing up for the other parts he wanted, and was charged an additional fee - which he'll be paying for the rest of his life! If the OP is now covered by his wife's insurance, he's OK in that respect - however, once her insurance ends, he has only a limited amount of time (30-60 days? I forget now) to sign up for the additional parts he may want without being subject to the additional fee(s).

 

YOU HAVE TO SIGN UP! If you don't,, posted on June 3, 2020 at 14:51:26
tinear
Audiophile

Posts: 65782
Location: Kansas City, KS
Joined: April 9, 2006
 you'll pay a penalty for years.

 

RE: Got a Medicare question for you olddudes..., posted on June 3, 2020 at 16:39:22
fredtr
Audiophile

Posts: 1987
Location: Phoenix
Joined: January 4, 2005
 You're getting these mixed answers because it isn't always straight forward. I helped a friend of my wife's sign up at the age of 70. The only reason she didn't have medicare was that she was intimidated by the process.

You should go through the process online or use a broker. You don't pay for the help a broker will provide. Since it is next month, you may not get your card in time but you will be covered.

 

Best advice yet in this thread, methinks... N/T, posted on June 3, 2020 at 17:06:20
musetap
Audiophile

Posts: 31874
Location: San Francisco
Joined: July 8, 2003
Contributor
  Since: January 28, 2004
 a
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination"-Michael McClure



 

Yes, you do need to sign through the Social Security Admin, and don't hesitate., posted on June 3, 2020 at 18:26:00
free.ranger
Audiophile

Posts: 16951
Location: Santa Fe, NM
Joined: April 8, 2004
Contributor
  Since: January 7, 2005
 Part A, hospitalization is free, but you need to actuate it. Part B, med, is optional, but if you don't roll into it immediately upon eligibility, you risk lifetime penalty payments. B is not free; its taken from your monthly SS pay.

Talk with a SS counselor right away. You can do it on line, but confusion reigns supreme in this Draconian mess, so I advise talking to a human who works in the agency.

Also, if you are currently covered by insurance like BCBS, I advise keeping it. It will convert to supplemental coverage when you get Medicare, for remaining unpaid percentages, but those fractions can still ruin you if you need major work.

 

RE: Got a Medicare question for you olddudes..., posted on June 3, 2020 at 18:51:34
Bill the K
Audiophile

Posts: 8384
Joined: June 3, 2006
 Make an appointment and visit the interesting SS office. A lot to learn there, especially human interaction. I have met some charming people who work there. They made me take all parts which I am thankful for. They speak English even though they do not look it.

Cheers
Bill

 

RE: Got a Medicare question for you olddudes..., posted on June 3, 2020 at 21:21:40
pictureguy
Audiophile

Posts: 22597
Location: SoCal
Joined: October 19, 2008
 Does he have to sign up for medicare IF he puts of retirement for a year or more in an effort to boost his SS monthly payout?

I waitied, but don't remember my mediare status before if formally 'retired'
Too much is never enough

 

Wow - you had a much better experience than I did, posted on June 4, 2020 at 01:52:53
Chris from Lafayette
Audiophile

Posts: 26437
Location: SF Bay Area
Joined: February 17, 2004
Contributor
  Since: February 6, 2012
 Sometimes, I was able to talk to the local SS people on the phone - that was the best! But whenever I've actually had to go in to the local office, it reminds me of the DMV, including that wide variation in competence level of the folks who service the customers! One time, I had a three-hour wait - but that was without an appointment. Ms. CfL saw a couple of people when she was signing up for Medicare - the second of whom casually mentioned that she was eligible for the spousal benefits of MY social security, which will allow her to delay taking her own social security until the max payout age of 70. She would never have known about her eligibility for this if she had just talked to the first person. (And, BTW, it's my understanding that this type of spousal benefit has now been phased out - we just got in under the wire before the law changed.)

 

RE: Wow - you had a much better experience than I did, posted on June 4, 2020 at 19:14:41
Bill the K
Audiophile

Posts: 8384
Joined: June 3, 2006
 New York offices are fun if you have an appointment! I stayed on to watch the people, like in a carnival. Those who work there are pretty sharp wading through the tsunami of rules.

Cheers
Bill

 

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