Need Medicare advice

[sweettractors]

I will be 65 this year and I had planned on signing up for medicare and getting off my wife's group insurance plan where she works and save that $400/Mo. How would I proceed? The gumment website does not give any guidelines for this situation. They point me to the State to get answers to questions? Ken Sweet

 

[JakeBrake]

You apply for Medicare at the Social Security website. This applies even if you are not drawing SS.

The United States Social Security Administration

I suspect that your wife's group policy will assume that you applied for Medicare when you reached 65 and will become supplemental, which means they will only pay the part above what Medicare would pay. That's the way the Megacorp I retired from handled it. You definitely need to check into that.

 

[smstonypoint]

Ken,

If you are turning 65, you will soon be (or already are) bombarded with mailings from insurance companies offering supplemental Medicare policies. You need to consider buying supplemental coverage for the expenses not covered by Medicare Parts A & B. This includes policies for Part D of Medicare (prescription drugs).

It would be worth checking with your wife's group plan -- it may have provisions for supplemental Medicare coverage for spouses.

Steve

 

[2LaneCruzer]

I will be 65 this year and I had planned on signing up for medicare and getting off my wife's group insurance plan where she works and save that $400/Mo. How would I proceed? The gumment website does not give any guidelines for this situation. They point me to the State to get answers to questions? Ken Sweet

I would make an appointment with your local (preferably one NOT in a big metro area) SS office. They were very helpful to both me and my wife. I retired from the state, so I kept the group insurance for both of us which is now our supplemental. I would be very careful with my supplemental; some supplementals are not accepted by all doctors and clinics. My group insurance, I don't worry about it being cancelled or being dropped because of any health problems we might have.

 

[radioman]

When I went to a local seminar that was listed in paper about medicare coverage information, I realized it was a marketing thing. I sat down with them and realized in order to get prescription (d) coverage, I must have ab for d or ac for d, the cost is nearly same or more with wife coverage. In our case, it was cheaper to stay with blue cross/blue shield with more options and not worry about medicare hassles.

Since your wife is still working, I'd milk her work insurance as long as you can. Its better and cheaper in short and long run for you IMHO.

 

[patrick_g]

When I went to a local seminar that was listed in paper about medicare coverage information, I realized it was a marketing thing. I sat down with them and realized in order to get prescription (d) coverage, I must have ab for d or ac for d, the cost is nearly same or more with wife coverage. In our case, it was cheaper to stay with blue cross/blue shield with more options and not worry about medicare hassles.

Since your wife is still working, I'd milk her work insurance as long as you can. Its better and cheaper in short and long run for you IMHO.

I have Medicare (Primary) and BlueCross/Shieldfor Federal retirees (Secondary) and it is a very satisfactory arrangement so far.

I'm not knocking BCBS as my use of them as secondary is very cost effective, much more so than just having BCBS alone. Ditto for my wife as we each have our own separate but equal plans. No advantage for two people to have a Family plan. If we had dependent children then fam plan would be a better deal.

Pat

 

[flusher]

I will be 65 this year and I had planned on signing up for medicare and getting off my wife's group insurance plan where she works and save that $400/Mo. How would I proceed? The gumment website does not give any guidelines for this situation. They point me to the State to get answers to questions? Ken Sweet

Medicare is an entitlement--when you reach your 65th birthday you automatically qualify (i.e. are enrolled) for Medicare benefits. You need to figure out if you need/want alternate/additional coverage (Medicare Advantage, Part D prescription drug coverage, Medigap coverage, vision, dental). Use the Medicare website to get started in this decision making process. It takes a little time and effort to get educated about this stuff. Make sure your doctors will accept Medicare's payment schedule.

Good luck.

 

[6sunset6]

When you turn 65 you need to register for Medicare whether you take it or not.
You can continue on your wife's but if you do not register it will cost you more later when she retires. You can register on line.

 

[Bird]

Medicare is an entitlement--when you reach your 65th birthday you automatically qualify (i.e. are enrolled) for Medicare benefits. You need to figure out if you need/want alternate/additional coverage (Medicare Advantage, Part D prescription drug coverage, Medigap coverage, vision, dental). Use the Medicare website to get started in this decision making process. It takes a little time and effort to get educated about this stuff. Make sure your doctors will accept Medicare's payment schedule.

Good luck.

That's not entirely true. You do not automatically qualify unless you would also qualify for social security; i.e., paid in enough for long enough to get the required number of credits. Or if you qualify under your spouse's record. Otherwise, you can buy Medicare Part A for about $400 a month. Part A is the part that most people qualify for at no cost. Everyone has to pay for Part B if they want it, and I think most do.

 

[rsewill]

That's not entirely true. You do not automatically qualify unless you would also qualify for social security; i.e., paid in enough for long enough to get the required number of credits. Or if you qualify under your spouse's record. Otherwise, you can buy Medicare Part A for about $400 a month. Part A is the part that most people qualify for at no cost. Everyone has to pay for Part B if they want it, and I think most do.

I'm 61 so not quite Medicare but am interested in learning more about it.

I was under the impression that you have no choice but to have Medicare. It is mandatory. I thought that mandatory part is what former Texas Congressman Dick Armey is suing the Feds over.

My insurance is through my wife's work (I'm retired) and when we turn 65 her employer's plan says we must apply for Medicare.