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I started collecting SS at 63 years old.
I still work and have medical insurance through my current employer.
Today I turn 65, do I have to call to enroll when I am ready, or do I automatically get signed up for and money withheld from my SS for Medicare today when I turned 65?
Also do I pay a penalty for Part D if I wait to sign up later for A and B?
I started collecting SS at 63 years old.
I still work and have medical insurance through my current employer.
Today I turn 65, do I have to call to enroll when I am ready, or do I automatically get signed up for and money withheld from my SS for Medicare today when I turned 65?
Also do I pay a penalty for Part D if I wait to sign up later for A and B?
You have to apply for Medicare, and you can do it on line. ( it's not automatic).
Medicare only covers 80% so it would behoove you to also choose a supplement. You automatically get part A and B when you sign up ( medical and hospitalization).
Part D ( drug coverage ) will be an extra expense ( depending on who you go with and finances).
Your best bet would be to Google Medicare.gov and read it for your self.
You have to apply for Medicare, and you can do it on line. ( it's not automatic).
Medicare only covers 80% so it would behoove you to also choose a supplement. You automatically get part A and B when you sign up ( medical and hospitalization).
Part D ( drug coverage ) will be an extra expense ( depending on who you go with and finances).
Under this hypothetical scenario, OP doesn't have to do anything because OP is still working and has creditable coverage through his employer. He can enroll when he retires without penalty.
Quote:
Originally Posted by BestintheWest
I started collecting SS at 63 years old.
I still work and have medical insurance through my current employer.
Today I turn 65, do I have to call to enroll when I am ready, or do I automatically get signed up for and money withheld from my SS for Medicare today when I turned 65?
Also do I pay a penalty for Part D if I wait to sign up later for A and B?
Generally, as long as this person has employer coverage, he shouldn't need Medicare. However, he should check w/his HR people to be sure. Most employer plans do not require you have Medicare while you are working - even if of Medicare age. I, too, was collecting SS and worked 2.5 years past 65, had employer coverage, and only enrolled in Part B after I retired at which point SS began deducting Part B premiums.
Employer coverage was creditable, I had no penalty.
Most employer plans are considered creditable for Parts B & D. Therefore, applicant can enroll in Medicare and sign up for Parts B and D without penalty on retirement.
No need to be paying Part B & D premiums unnecessarily.
"If you already get Social Security benefits, we’ll automatically enroll you in Medicare Hospital Insurance (Part A) and Medical Insurance (Part B). We’ll mail you all the information you need a few months before you become eligible."
Medicare is effective the first of the month in which you turn 65 and Part B is paid for starting a month in advance.
^^ SSA may sign you up, but if a person still has employer insurance I'd think it would behoove him/her to respond so no premium is deduction unnecessarily. Correct? You just can't presume these big agencies get things right. You have to make sure it's right.
You just can't presume these big agencies get things right.
SSA does not know if a person has other health insurance. It's up to the individual to decide whether or not to decline Part B at the time of automatic enrollment. SSA provides some information to help with the decision.
Shouldn't OP run numbers and make sure the employer is the better option before taking it over Medicare? If I were still working where I am now it would be no slam dunk; in fact Medicare would probably be a better deal. I work for a small company (no leverage with insurers) that only contributes a little.
^^ SSA may sign you up, but if a person still has employer insurance I'd think it would behoove him/her to respond so no premium is deduction unnecessarily. Correct?
Correct.
Quote:
If you're automatically enrolled, you'll get your red, white, and blue Medicare card in the mail 3 months before your 65th birthday or your 25th month of disability.
What if I don't want Part B?
If your Medicare hasn’t started yet, there are 2 ways to drop Part B:
If you were automatically enrolled in both Part A and Part B and sent a Medicare card, follow the instructions that come with the card, and send the card back.
Under this hypothetical scenario, OP doesn't have to do anything because OP is still working and has creditable coverage through his employer. He can enroll when he retires without penalty.
Generally, as long as this person has employer coverage, he shouldn't need Medicare. However, he should check w/his HR people to be sure. Most employer plans do not require you have Medicare while you are working - even if of Medicare age. I, too, was collecting SS and worked 2.5 years past 65, had employer coverage, and only enrolled in Part B after I retired at which point SS began deducting Part B premiums.
Employer coverage was creditable, I had no penalty.
Most employer plans are considered creditable for Parts B & D. Therefore, applicant can enroll in Medicare and sign up for Parts B and D without penalty on retirement.
No need to be paying Part B & D premiums unnecessarily.
"If you already get Social Security benefits, we’ll automatically enroll you in Medicare Hospital Insurance (Part A) and Medical Insurance (Part B). We’ll mail you all the information you need a few months before you become eligible."
Medicare is effective the first of the month in which you turn 65 and Part B is paid for starting a month in advance.
This was my experience. In 2009 when I turned 65, and was still working, and was receiving SS Survivors benefits, I was automatically enrolled in Part A. Part B was optional. Checking with my employer, a small business with a self-funded insurance plan, they said they would be secondary to Medicare-eligible employees.
So rather than pay 2 premiums (Medicare Part B & employer plan) I signed up for Part B, and cancelled employer plan.
Re Part D, my PCP at the time talked me into an Advantage MA-PD plan (which I later came to regret).
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It's A Hypothetical Question
