Medicare/Supplemental Ins./VA.?

0311-

You are automatically enrolled in Medicare part "A" (Hospitalization)when you reach 65, assuming you have the required work credits

If you are still working and have employer provided health insurance you may not have to sign up for Medicare part "B" and can add it when you retire. If you are not receiving employer health insurance you should sign up for it. Check with Medicare.

If not employed You can go with straight part "B", go with a Medicare Advantage Plan (Part C) or go with "B" along with a Medigap, also known as Medicare Supplemental Insurance.

You will not be denied coverage for any preexisting condition and will pay the same premium as people without a preexisting condition.

Bobby Mac

0311
Coverage plans varies from state to state, but speaking from my experience in Massachusetts, here's how it has gone for me. I chose Medicare Advantage plan when I retired at 65 1/2. This had similar coverage to the employer plan I had through all my previous PCa treatments with similar copays. I also enrolled in VA and have an annual visit with my VA primary care doc. The VA takes care of my eye exams and glasses, would also provide hearing aids if needed in the future, recommended and provided me a diagnostic ultrasound not recommended by my " civilian" doc's. The VA also filled my Epi pen prescription for $8 vs the $340 my private plan wanted. Going forward, as my recent tests say I'm heading for further treatment, I'm happy to have both options. My private insurance gives me access to leading teaching hospitals and doctors and my VA plan gives me access to anything the VA offers.

0311-

JNF said...
A does start at 65 and there is no premium but you have to enroll. It is not automatic.

See below - like I said Part A is automatic

From the Medicare website

Medicare is a federal government-managed health care program for senior citizens. Medicare consists of Part A, which provides hospitalization coverage, Part B, which covers doctor visits, and Part D, which covers prescription drugs. Part C may be chosen in place of traditional Medicare and is available from private insurers. Medicare Part A offers automatic enrollment while other parts require action by the enroll


Part A

You will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A. Coverage will begin on the first day of the month of your 65th birthday, assuming you have met the requirement of at least 40 quarters of qualified employment paying Social Security taxes. No action is required, and you will receive your Medicare card in the mail about three months before your 65th birthday. No premium payment is required for Medicare Part A enrollment.


Part B

You are eligible to enroll in Part B at the same time as you are enrolled in Part A. Because Part B is optional and requires the payment of a monthly premium, you must elect to either accept or decline the coverage. If you want Part B, you will have a seven-month window in which to enroll, and enrollment instructions will be included with your initial Medicare enrollment package. If you decline Part B, you pay a penalty if you choose to enroll at a later date.


Part C

You may carry medicare Part C, or Medicare Advantage, instead of Medicare Part A and Part B. However, you must first enroll in Part A and Part B, then select a Medicare Advantage plan from a private insurer during your initial Medicare enrollment period. You can also switch to a Medicare Advantage plan during the annual enrollment period that runs from Nov. 15 to Dec. 31 each year.


Part D

Medicare Part D, which provides prescription drug coverage, is also an optional plan that requires an additional premium. If you decide to enroll in Part D coverage, you can do so during the annual enrollment period of Nov. 15 to Dec. 31. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, it may is provide prescription drug coverage. You can also obtain separate prescription drug coverage from a private insurer.

Bobby Mac

Post Edited (Bobby Mac) : 10/20/2016 5:31:13 AM (GMT-6)

Paxton

If you had enough quarters you are in A. The above came off the Medicare web site. I received A automatically, nit did not opt for B because I am still working

Since you are still working and uder an employer plan part B is optional.

If you did sign up for part B and under an employer plan, then B would be secondary to your employers plan.

Bobby mac

I am not a health insurance expert, but IMO, a G9 should enroll in Medicare Supplement Plan F which for a higher monthly premium pays all co-pays and all deductibles.

For a G7 it is a toss up and you have to compare free or near free depending on your zip cope Medicare Advantage where there is a co-pay to your expected future PCa and other medical treatments versus the higher monthly premiums fixed cost for Plan F.

Depending on your choice you then have to decide separately on a Plan D Prescription Drug coverage.

The Medicare website has a good plan finder

/www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/home.aspx?AspxAutoDetectcookieSupport=1

The plan comparison chart in the attached link may be helpful as long as you realize blank is 'No" and "X" is "Yes"

/www.ehealthinsurance.com/medicare/compare-supplement-plans

Finally your coverage will start on April 1 2017 not on your actual birthday unless they are one and the same

Thanks, JNF. I will touch bases with our Director of HR, then will probably go ahead and enroll in Part A, etc. I still plan to work for a while. . . I guess that's what happens when you have children later in life.

AARP united health insurance inform me that I could not have part D as long as the VA is a provider. I will be on part F for the fear that if priority 8 is dropped I will still have coverage.

Just like the government - you are automatically enrolled in part A, but have to apply to get it.

I agree that even if you don't need part B because you are still working opting for part A cost you nothing and possibly may help you if you are hospitalized.

Now if you reject part B and you are not covered by an employer plan you will be subject to penalties when you do enroll.

Bobby Mac

Thanks to All,I have been retired since 2010 at 58 thru my Union.All this Medicare stuff is a lot to absorb as PC was when I was Dxd.But thanks to all of your imput as it will make me understand this better.A lot of us are of this age group and any help is appreciated. Thank You All,SemperFi,John

Good info Faustman. It is not easy. Where in Georgia are you. I am in Cumming and work in Dunwoody. Let me know if we could meet sometime.

All of the above helps.New in this game.I hear you can enroll or switch plans from year to year ? Maybe I should attend one of those free dinner seminars to learn more ? Thank You All

Mutual of Omaha is our choice too! Silverscript does not cover one of my wife's meds.
Many choose an Advantage plan because of the low (or no $0) premium. That's great if you are rarely sick. In my case, I didn't want to risk being stuck on an Advantage plan as I go through various treatments and different drugs over time.

I can't comment on VA coverage since I do not qualify for VA benefits (Marine Reservist 0311). I can comment on VA A&A pension for wartime vets since I went through that with my parents.