Medicare advise for a soon to be GOF...

[Huntindad]

When you reach full retirement age (67 now I think) you will have to call Social Security and get Part A. County will require you to get part B. That is all you will need until you retire then you will need to get an Advantage plan to cover what Part A& B don't.

this is bad info.

[tps7742]

As stated you need to contact your HR or like agent to get the requirements for you specifically. This is one area thst can get complicated and not the place to make the wrong decisions will cost you real dollars.

[Hogmauler]

And the county you live in also determines what plans are available and your cost. Somebody correct me if I’m wrong.
I still believe that this system will be in shambles before it’s all said and done. I see this so called government of ours is already wanting to or have put illegals on Medicare. It’s a shame.

[WCB]

Talk with a Medicare broker, not an agent. I know nothing about all this state/county stuff but a broker covers it all, not a single company.

[BGlegal1]

I'm also retired from the state. We have an advantage plan through the state ERS. I've been retired 5 years and I'm out of pocket a grand total of $50 over the 5 years.

[tpack]

I got on Medicare on 12-1-23. Called Medicare specialist/ agent last September and set up an appointment for a supplement. I was very intimidated by the whole process and started watching lots of YouTube videos on the matter. Everyone's decision needs to be based on their own situation and not what a friend or family member did. Anyone that works in the home health field will tell you NOT to get an Advantage Plan. They say that you just do not get the care you need compared to someone on a supplement Plan G, N or high deductible G. The commissions agents receive for the Advantage Plans are much higher that the supplements also. Probably the Home reason why they push them so much. If you do decide on an Advantage plan and want to change to a supplement in the future, you will have to go through Medical Underwriting and be approved if your healthy enough. Good luck with that. No one gets healthier with age. You need to also remember that if you don`t sign up for a Supplement Plan D (prescription plan) @ 65 you will be penalized at a later date if you decide to get a Plan D and that penalty is more the longer you wait and is applied every year until you die as long as you have the plan.

[tps7742]

Tpack
I by no means claim to be up on that rat nest of options in the medicare world. On the issue of supplemental insurance with Medicare. It’s my understanding there is a 6 month window a recipient has that after you turn Medicare age/get Medicare that the insurance company’s have to accept you with all preexisting medical issues. After thst 6 month timeframe a person has to go through the process you have mentioned to get a supplemental policy. Reason being they aren’t required to accept a person automatically at that point.

[HeyMikey]

Following......good info to consider, as I'm heading down this rabbit hole before the end of the year.

[tpack]

Tpack
i am by no means claim to be up on that rat nest of options in the medicare world. On the issue of supplemental insurance with Medicare. It’s my understanding there is a 6 month window a recipient has that after you turn Medicare age/get Medicare that the insurance company’s have to accept you with all preexisting medical issues. After thst 6 month timeframe a person has to go through the process you have mentioned to get a supplemental policy. Reason being they aren’t required to accept a person automatically at that point.

I believe you are correct. The way I understand it, everyone can sign up for an Advantage Plan when they turn 65 and then switch to Traditional Medicare within the first year if they do not like it.(Considered a trial right). If you keep the Advantage Plan for any time after the first year though, your Guaranteed Issue Rights no longer apply.

Guaranteed Issue Rights


You may be able to buy or change your Medicare Supplement Plan outside of your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, if you have a “guaranteed issue right” – meaning an insurance company can’t refuse to sell you a Medigap policy – in the following situations:

• Your current Medicare Advantage plan is leaving Medicare, stops giving care in your area, or you move out of the plan’s service area
• You have Original Medicare and your employer group health plan or union coverage that pays after Medicare pays is ending
• You have Original Medicare and a Medicare SELECT policy and move out of the Medicare SELECT policy’s service area
• Your Medigap insurance company goes bankrupt and you lose your coverage, or your Medigap policy coverage otherwise ends through no fault of your own
• You leave a Medicare Advantage plan or drop a Medigap policy because the company hasn’t followed the rules, or it misled you
• You joined a Medicare Advantage plan or Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) when you were first eligible for Medicare Part A at age 65, and within the first year of joining, decide to switch to Original Medicare. (Considered a trial right)
• You dropped a Medigap policy to join a Medicare Advantage plan (or to switch to a Medicare SELECT policy) for the first time, you’ve been in the plan less than a year, and you want to switch back. (Considered a trial right)

[Bayouboy]

Why not get Part C? Does it not contain just about everything in one package?

[tps7742]

I believe you are correct. The way I understand it, everyone can sign up for an Advantage Plan when they turn 65 and then switch to Traditional Medicare within the first year if they do not like it.(Considered a trial right). If you keep the Advantage Plan for any time after the first year though, your Guaranteed Issue Rights no longer apply.

Guaranteed Issue Rights


You may be able to buy or change your Medicare Supplement Plan outside of your six-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period, if you have a “guaranteed issue right” – meaning an insurance company can’t refuse to sell you a Medigap policy – in the following situations:

• Your current Medicare Advantage plan is leaving Medicare, stops giving care in your area, or you move out of the plan’s service area
• You have Original Medicare and your employer group health plan or union coverage that pays after Medicare pays is ending
• You have Original Medicare and a Medicare SELECT policy and move out of the Medicare SELECT policy’s service area
• Your Medigap insurance company goes bankrupt and you lose your coverage, or your Medigap policy coverage otherwise ends through no fault of your own
• You leave a Medicare Advantage plan or drop a Medigap policy because the company hasn’t followed the rules, or it misled you
• You joined a Medicare Advantage plan or Programs of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) when you were first eligible for Medicare Part A at age 65, and within the first year of joining, decide to switch to Original Medicare. (Considered a trial right)
• You dropped a Medigap policy to join a Medicare Advantage plan (or to switch to a Medicare SELECT policy) for the first time, you’ve been in the plan less than a year, and you want to switch back. (Considered a trial right)

Very good information! I am still a couple of years + but I do like to stay up on these type of things health related, benefits etc. Thanks

[dustoffer]

My military TRICARE requires Medicare part B which is the first payer, and TRICARE covers the rest so no co-pay although the cost of Medicare for myself and wife is substantial. However the cost without Medicare is scary.

[MtnMike]

I will be going on Medicare in May. I am getting Medicare Part A, Part B and a Part D Drug Plan and a Part G Supplement Plan. The Part G will be through United Health Care.