www.medicaresupplementbrokers.com - RV-Dreams Community Forum

The Hensons · RV-Dreams Family Member

www.medicaresupplementbrokers.com

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Kyle and Lisa,

I won't go into great detail about what I think of Medicare, just suffice it to say that I think there is room for improvement.

I was initially told that Medicare A was almost automatic, but that one had to sign up for B and D. However, I could only sign up for B and D after I had actually retired from work. Then I got a mailing from Medicare saying that if I didn't sign up for B, that I would be penalized for every year that I wasn't signed up.

A trip to Social Security got us informed that we needed to sign up, but if I didn't want type B, I had to have either my health insurance provider or my employer to sign off on something, perhaps something like indicating that the insurance provider would not hold Medicare as the "primary" coverage.

Does this make sense? If I currently am working and have my own health care coverage from my employer, why should I pay Medicare anything for coverage I don't need?

Since I'm not yet getting SS benefit payments every month because I make more than the maximum, I would apparently still have to pay out something like $123 a month, including those months when SS was not paying a benefit.

Is there an easy way to keep Medicare for (a) penalizing me for not signing up or (b) forcing me to sign up and taking yet more of my money?

Or, do you have other advice?

Thanks for any help.

Terry

The Hensons · RV-Dreams Family Member

Terry,

Enrollment in Medicare parts A and B is automatic unless either of 2 things occur:

1) You are not collecting social security at age 65
2) You tell Medicare NOT to enroll you in parts A and B

If you do not want Medicare part B because you have other "creditable coverage" such as employer coverage, then you simply have to provide proof of this to Medicare to avoid paying a penalty in the form of a higher premium (10% for each year) when you eventually do enroll.

Part D is a little different. If you do not want it, do nothing. But, when you do want it, you have to provide proof that you had "creditable coverable" for the period in which you decided not to take it. Medicare charges a 1% penalty for each month you could have enrolled but did not AND did not have "creditable coverage".

Kyle

Texas TomT · RV-Dreams Family Member

Kyle,

This may be really basic but I am still confused by it all. I took early retirement in Dec. 2009 at age 62. I turned 63 in March of 2010 but held off until June before starting to receive SS benefits. As of January 1, 2010 I was on COBRA (18-month) medical coverage but that expired as of June 30, 2011.

I have no insurance right now and am just hoping I stay healthy until I qualify for Medicare. When do I need to start applying for this, Part A? I believe I understood you to say that this was automatic and maybe I don't do anything for it?

I went to your website and peeked around and probably missed something. Can you please direct me to the section I need to read up on? Any advice would be appreciated. It's great to have a fellow RV-Dreamer on OUR side because sure as heck the government is not looking out for us.

-- Edited by Texas TomT on Tuesday 23rd of August 2011 05:01:16 PM

The Hensons · RV-Dreams Family Member

Texas TomT,

Confused by a government program? No way...they ALWAYS make things simple! Haha.

You "should not" have to do anything at all for your part A and B to kick in automatically on the 1st of the month in which you turn 65. I say "should not" because that's how it is supposed to work and does work for most folks. However, if you do not have your Medicare card in hand confirming this 2 months before your 65th birthday then you should call and make sure you get it.

Feel free to call me directly if you want to chat or need any more assistance: 1-866-591-4909

Texas TomT · RV-Dreams Family Member

Thanks a bunch. I still think I might need to know more about the costs? involved for A and B and then there is dental, part D?

I will give you a call when I get a little closer. THANKS for the response.

The Hensons · RV-Dreams Family Member

I can clear all that up for you in one quick chat. Call when you are ready.

I will also be addressing these items at the rally in Hershey!

Loretta · RV-Dreams Family Member

I missed your talk in Hershey and the other day I got my "new card". I am so confused. I would need a supplemental policy but since we hope to be full-timers by then do I look for a policy where we registered our address and registration for the vehicle? Is one state better than another? We are currently living in a S/B in NJ but we are considering other places. AZ, CA or any place you may recommend. This all goes into effect August 1 of 2012. Thanks for your help.