How do people figure out Medicare parts to sign up for?
#11
Super Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Location: Elmira, NY
Posts: 6,113
We have an 'Office for the Aging' here that helps with things like that. They helped me get additional coverage to fill in the blanks. Please don't feel bad. I went there because I was as confused as you. I just don't deal well with all that stuff.
#13
It is difficult to know what to choose. We are going through that with my DH now and we were going to choose Secure Horizons or Today's Option. Then our neighbor was just diagnosed with esophageal cancer and he tried to get into several cancer centers and they would not accept his insurance(Secure Horizons). Now we are not sure what to do. Is it better to stay with medicare and pick up a supplement instead of going with one of the advantage plans??
#14
You automatically get Part A when you start collecting Medicare. Find out what your husbands policy pays for you. If you won't be covered under your husbands policy, you can either choose Medicare part B, How Much Does Part B Cost?
If you have Part B, you pay a Part B premium each month. Most people will pay the standard premium amount. Social Security will contact some people who have to pay more depending on their income. If you don't sign up for Part B when you are first eligible, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty.
You need to have part B in order to get a suppliment.
I currently have an Advantage Plan. I pay my medicare payment, but, it pays a portion of it to my advantage plan which is Secure Horizon. To me this pays better then straight medicare. I am on a budget, so this works for me
If you have Part B, you pay a Part B premium each month. Most people will pay the standard premium amount. Social Security will contact some people who have to pay more depending on their income. If you don't sign up for Part B when you are first eligible, you may have to pay a late enrollment penalty.
You need to have part B in order to get a suppliment.
I currently have an Advantage Plan. I pay my medicare payment, but, it pays a portion of it to my advantage plan which is Secure Horizon. To me this pays better then straight medicare. I am on a budget, so this works for me
#15
Under DH's plan, I HAD to sign up for Medicare and so did he. Due to disability, I was on it before he was, even tho I am younger.Please call your husband's Human Resources department and find out what the company policy is. Otherwise, you might wind up with no coverage. Our's is set up as if you signed up for Medicare, so if you don't sign up, they won't pay anything. Once you sign up, the company acts as secondary payer. Ours goes thru BC/BS but is self insured. Please make sure you check up on this right away as some of these things are time sensitive. Good luck.
#16
Power Poster
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 12,930
Well, I went ahead and applied for Medicare Part A online. I'll have my husband ask at work about our health care coverage. I think it will remain the same for this calendar year; most likely when we make our elections for next year they will want information about my Medicare coverage. I'm just not seeing a reason to add Part B yet, as there seems to be an 8-month period after work ceases for "open enrollment".
I don't understand why it has to be so complicated!!!
I don't understand why it has to be so complicated!!!
#18
Super Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Silver Springs, NV
Posts: 2,404
I do not understand to explain mine in full.. I do know I do not even have to pay a co-pay and I do not have to be seen by a Dr. to see a specalist... For medication. I went with wal mart... aftr $350.00 in a year I then only make a co pay for meds the rest of the year... (no lids) I pay nothing for ER or hospital stays. Yes, SSA takes out and I pay $113.00 out of pocket a month for second coverage. It's 100% ....
#19
Super Member
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 5,453
Originally Posted by cheryl rearick
I do not understand to explain mine in full.. I do know I do not even have to pay a co-pay and I do not have to be seen by a Dr. to see a specalist...
i send away for the 3 month/90 day prescriptions..it saves me a bundle. i think it is medco, but your company has to be a member.
i know, through friends, that sams club and walmarts have cheaper meds. and cheaper if you have no script coverage at all.
#20
Member
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Western NC
Posts: 75
I work insurance every day and when my husband signed up this year I was amazed at how confusing it was. The only advice I will give you is if you don't need Part B yet because of other ins then you can wait but be sure to sign up as soon as it ends because if you wait you are charged a higher medicare premium each month for the rest of your life. The same thing applied to part D unless your husband has prescription coverage if you wait to sign up later you will be penalized each month forever. I didn't know that about part D and almost messed it up. Wow!!
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