Applied For Medicare

[MoKelly]

Well folks - another milestone.

I applied for Medicare today online. I turn 65 in August and May 1 is the earliest I can apply. My understanding is the first step is applying snd getting the Red/White/Blue Medicare Card.

Come August, I’m looking at quite a raise using Medicare v. my current health care plan.

I am looking at:

Part A

Part B (with a Supplement v. an Advantage)

Part D

Dental

Vision

So, any advice from those experienced in Medicare stuff. I know it’s complicated but try to be simple.

I was told at enrollment you can get a Supplement with no questions asked or health care background checks. But, if you go Advantage and then want to switch to Supplement, you can be asked health history and get charged a higher amount based on health history.

Thanks.

MoKelly

 

[5030]

Medicare isn't the 'golden goose you think it is. You need a supplement or your wallet will get depleted real fast.

 

[MoKelly]

Medicare isn't the 'golden goose you think it is. You need a supplement or your wallet will get depleted real fast.

Did you even read my post?

MoKelly

 

[two_bit_score]

Plan G

 

[MoKelly]

Plan G

That is what was recommended for the Supplement. My understanding is G is taken by the vast majority of folks.

Why Medicare needs so many alphabets is a mystery to me!

Thanks.

MoKelly

 

[two_bit_score]

Medicare is a pain in the rear. Parts, plans, supplements. Agh!

 

[5030]

Did you even read my post?

MoKelly

I read your post but candidly you post so many it's hard to keep track of them...

 

[MoKelly]

Medicare is a pain in the rear. Parts, plans, supplements. Agh!

Yes but it must be done. It’s a government program - who would expect it to be easy???

But - at least the application on line was very simple.

MoKelly

 

[two_bit_score]

Yes but it must be done. It’s a government program - who would expect it to be easy???

But - at least the application on line was very simple.

MoKelly

The company I retired from has a group to help us with Medicare Enrollment and a plan to pay for the supplements, etc. They made it easy. It could be much easier. But......people want ‘choices’.

 

[Diggin It]

Come August, I’m looking at quite a raise using Medicare v. my current health care plan.

Raise in what? $150/Mo mandated for Plan B, plus whatever other add-ons. Unless you're paying more than that now, I don't see how it can raise much.

 

[MoKelly]

Raise in what? $150/Mo mandated for Plan B, plus whatever other add-ons. Unless you're paying more than that now, I don't see how it can raise much.

I’m paying $1200 a month now. So, paying $400 a month will be fantastic. And, in my eyes, a raise.

I am retired and have to buy my insurance off the exchange.

I am fortunate and can afford the insurance. Many folks I know can’t even think about retirement until they get on Medicare.

MoKelly

 

[RustyA]

63 and self employed paying $1200/no for me and $1000 for wife for a plan with $5000.00 deductible. Guess $150 each per month would be a nice raise in our net income.

 

[MoKelly]

63 and self employed paying $1200/no for me and $1000 for wife for a plan with $5000.00 deductible. Guess $150 each per month would be a nice raise in our net income.

Yep!! You’re situation is exactly like mine - except I’m retired.

MoKelly

 

[KennyG]

If you expect to travel outside the US, look carefully at the plans. Most don't provide coverage outside the US but some do. Advantage vs. Supplement is like HMO vs. PPO. Advantage can save money but ties you into a provider group. Supplement gives you more flexibility in where you go for care.

 

[MoKelly]

If you expect to travel outside the US, look carefully at the plans. Most don't provide coverage outside the US but some do. Advantage vs. Supplement is like HMO vs. PPO. Advantage can save money but ties you into a provider group. Supplement gives you more flexibility in where you go for care.

Great points. I hadn’t thought about international travel.

Thank you!

MoKelly

 

[k0ua]

If you expect to travel outside the US, look carefully at the plans. Most don't provide coverage outside the US but some do. Advantage vs. Supplement is like HMO vs. PPO. Advantage can save money but ties you into a provider group. Supplement gives you more flexibility in where you go for care.

If you plan to travel outside the US, get medical travel insurance. It is dirt cheap for short trips. So don't base your choice of plans on international coverage. Just get it when you need it and it covers the time periods you need.

Best advice I can give you is find a trusted agent in your state to explain everything to you. This will take at least 2 hours depending on how fast you absorb new information.

 

[k0ua]

The Medicare PART B (not plan b) premium is $148.50 per month. This will come out of your social security check and you will never see it. It goes to the Federal Government, NOT to an insurance company. If you don't have social security, you will pay this your self quarterly.

The Medicare PART B Deductible is $203 this year. This is what you will pay out of your pocket on an annual basis for part B costs before your supplement kicks in. This is once a year for part B Costs. Your agent can explain all of this to you and where it applies. A PLAN G will will pay for the rest EXCEPT not part D drug premiums (nationwide average about $30 per month, many less) NOR will it pay for dental or routine vision. We are assuming you have worked your 40 quarters so PART A will be covered.

Don't confuse PARTS with PLANS. This is the most confusing thing for many people.

 

[MoKelly]

The Medicare PART B (not plan b) premium is $148.50 per month. This will come out of your social security check and you will never see it. It goes to the Federal Government, NOT to an insurance company. If you don't have social security, you will pay this your self quarterly.

The Medicare PART B Deductible is $203 this year. This is what you will pay out of your pocket on an annual basis for part B costs before your supplement kicks in. This is once a year for part B Costs. Your agent can explain all of this to you and where it applies. A PLAN G will will pay for the rest EXCEPT not part D drug premiums (nationwide average about $30 per month, many less) NOR will it pay for dental or routine vision. We are assuming you have worked your 40 quarters so PART A will be covered.

Don't confuse PARTS with PLANS. This is the most confusing thing for many people.

Thanks! I spoke with an agent and got most of what you explained. She put it in a long email which I continue to study.

Once I get the Medicare Card I will be able to actually get the plans.

I haven’t applied for SS yet. My normal date us 66 and a few months. I’m waiting for the normal date.

MoKelly

 

[KennyG]

If you plan to travel outside the US, get medical travel insurance. It is dirt cheap for short trips. So don't base your choice of plans on international coverage. Just get it when you need it and it covers the time periods you need.

Best advice I can give you is find a trusted agent in your state to explain everything to you. This will take at least 2 hours depending on how fast you absorb new information.

I guess it depends on how much you may travel. In normal times, I'm out of the country 1 to 2 months a year. I just checked the 2021 guide and Supplements C, D, F, G, H, M and N cover foreign travel and A, B, K and L do not. The cost is not a lot different. I chose F because it has the broadest coverage, but is relatively cheap with high deductible plan, which I use because I'm in good health.

If you don't have a Supplement or Advantage plan, I think you will be disappointed in Medicare coverage.

 

[Diggin It]

I haven't been outside the US since the late 80s sometime. I haven't been more than 100 miles from home in over 15 years other than a couple of trips to a hand clinic when I messed up my hand.

I was advised of 'Lasso' which makes annual deposits into a medical savings account that you can use for most normal expenses. Not sure how well that would work out over time. Might be good for some people that don't incur many visits over a year.