Yes, it is a good idea to follow up on any communication with Medicare and SS. They can and do mess up paperwork and sometimes it is worthwhile waiting hours several days in a row to meet a human who will do it right (eventually).
Did any of you get contacted by some business about signing up for medicare? I got a letter from UIG, what ever that is, that it’s time for me to sign up with them for information. Any letter I received should be from SSA, right? Or did SSA subbed it out?
We never attended any informational sessions about Medicare. The best ones would be those conducted by your state Dept of health, office on aging, Medicare division. Those are NOT selling you anything and just provide unbiased info. All others are private pay and trying to get you to buy their plan as they get paid per person they enroll.
DH was concerned about exactly what @AboutTheSame describes. He worked several years past 65 and didn’t want an error in enrolling for Part A to be misinterpreted and somehow knock us off his employer plan. DH didn’t sign up for Part A for several years after turning 65 when he actually retired. He kept getting letters from BCBS asking him to enroll earlier, but he ignored them. When he did retire, no problems enrolling at all.
@Iglooo, I suspect what you got from UIG was an advertisement made to look official. Seems like we have received similar. I ignore them.
I so agree with all those indicating the complication factor is ridiculous.
Since I turned 64, I’ve been getting (advertisement) letters nearly every week. Quite a few are for Medicare Advantage plans.
The only reason we enrolled H in part A at 65 tho he was working and covered by employer plan was because it was free. We did it online and ONLY chose A. Nonetheless, for months or years H’s medical claims had to be processed multiple times because insurer kept trying to get Medicare to pay nonhospital charges tho no B. We had to keep calling insurer and telling them that we only had A, no B, so they had to reprocess and pay.
I felt bad for our providers but felt insurer did this on purpose to delay paying claims as long as possible (cynical, yes!)
Once H retired and we got him on A,B plus kept our family plan, things are processed much quicker and more smoothly. We generally only have copays for Rx and dental and vision.
Never had any issues with my work health plan, and my PCP understands that Medicare is inapplicable now, so they and the HMO don’t even try to bill. Once I do retire, judging by the statements I got for my mother, the billing gets straightened out rather seamlessly between the insurance plan and Medicare.
Yes, between part A, B and insurance, it has worked great. It was just those years when H had only A + insurance that insurer kept trying to get Medicare B to pay, even tho we kept reminding everyone there was no B.
I suggest contacting your Agency on Aging. Ours has a specially trained Medicare advocate. I would suggest sitting down with them even if you think you have it all figured out, as a double check. Too important to risk doing something wrong, or missing something that is to your advantage.
I got numerous phone calls, mailings and emails from companies wanting to sign me up for Medicare. I had people knocking on my door for goodness sake. Now they’ve got their sights on my husband because he’s younger than me. Just ignore them. You can figure this out on your own.
Especially if you are low income, the folks at your state Dept of Health’s Aging Office that helps with Medicare choices can be sure you get the programs you qualify for.
Some supplemental or MediGap programs have to be signed up for as soon as you turn 65 or you will have to go thru medical underwriting and be rejected if you try to sign up later. At 65, you have to be accepted. The state employee or volunteer mentioned in the above paragraph can help guide you through this—free!
To make my life easier, I made an appointment with an insurance agent that specializes in Medicare. (I bought my LTC from her husband). I don’t have the same issue as the OP, where I’m still getting insurance from my employer. Still, it was nice for someone to review the better plans for Part B. Who knew one plan gives females a lower rate? Also, we reviewed my meds to select Part D. She completed all the on-line forms, and I was done in an hour.
From a cost and quality standpoint, assume that you could get paid the amount that your company and you pay for health insurance now. Would you be better off 1) electing A, deferring B and keeping the company insurance; or 2) electing A and B and taking the money that the company would have paid for your insurance? From a tax standpoint, can your employer pay your Medicare premiums (A or B) with pre-tax dollars?
OP here. Employer will not pay Medicare premiums or give employees money if the elect not to take company coverage
Yes, H’s employer had similar policy RE Medicare. We were fine with waiting until retirement for B.
Some Medigap policies cover foreign travel. Here is a link to relevant info: https://www.medicare.gov/supplement-other-insurance/medigap-and-travel/medigap-and-travel.html
We are not on Medicare yet and have excellent health insurance through employer that applies for emergencies overseas. However, we find that travel insurance makes sense as well. If we are still frequent foreign travelers while on Medicare, probably would get a Medigap policy that includes foreign coverage, as well as insure trips. (Had to have ortho surgery overseas and flying business class home for leg elevation post-op was required. DH needed to be nearby to assist as I wasn’t steady. Trip insurance covered both last minute business class tickets with Dr’s note. Not sure our US medical insurance would have. It also covered hotel for DH while I was hospitalized.)
Lots of info about Medigap–they vary from state to state.
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/economy/making-sense/how-do-medigap-plans-work-heres-a-tutorial
Based on Kaiser Family Foundation report:
http://files.kff.org/attachment/Issue-Brief-Medigap-Enrollment-and%20-Consumer-Protections-Vary-Across-States
Our employer-provided insurance covers up to usual and customary charges wherever we are, even if are out of country. If we are in US, best if we have in network care. Our Chase Sapphire and Explorer card both provide limited travel insurance. Have made one claim for travel delay — they were not easy to process, required lots of paperwork and multiple phone calls for claim of $157!
Positive Changes to Medicare Advantage Plans
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/07/20/health/medicare-advantage-benefits.html