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I know I need to apply for Medicare in February which is 4 months prior to my birth month. But what are my enrollment requirements? Part A only since our insurance plan says no Part B is required? Are there other choices that need to be made? Lots of stuff arriving in the mail for 2020 annual enrollment that neither of us require, but I am saving it since it is all identified as being the plans and prices for 2021 when I will need to enroll.
I got the AARP magazine/newspaper last week with its Medicare check sheet but it is fairly generic. No "New Enrollees Must Do This" column.
Location: East of Seattle since 1992, 615' Elevation, Zone 8b - originally from SF Bay Area
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If you will still have coverage through your employer, then just Part A.You will be spammed with emails and snail mail offers for every kind of coverage that can be imagined. I have been on Part A for 3 years now (still working) and even with 18 months of cancer treatment (successful!) medicare only made one payment of about $30. The rest was paid by my primary insurer and my $2,000 annual out-of-pocket.
I believe you have to be within 3 months of turning 65.
Correct.
Here is how Medicare explains it: "If you’re eligible at age 65, your initial enrollment period begins three months before your 65th birthday, includes the month you turn age 65, and ends three months after that birthday." at https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/medicare/
IOW, a 7 month spread; 3 months before, month OF birth, and 3 months after.
My wife will turn 65 in July. At what point will she start to get bombarded with plan offers? I am getting stuff, but she has not received anything yet. I have been on Medicare for five years. I am pretty sure she will go with a HD-G plan with the same company I have my HD-F plan with as well as the same "D" plan that I have. But we would like to look and price other offers.
I remember getting help from this forum when I went on Medicare. I do remember links to pricing, but I have been unable to find them this time.
My wife will turn 65 in July. At what point will she start to get bombarded with plan offers? I am getting stuff, but she has not received anything yet. I have been on Medicare for five years. I am pretty sure she will go with a HD-G plan with the same company I have my HD-F plan with as well as the same "D" plan that I have. But we would like to look and price other offers.
I remember getting help from this forum when I went on Medicare. I do remember links to pricing, but I have been unable to find them this time.
My wife will turn 65 in July. At what point will she start to get bombarded with plan offers? I am getting stuff, but she has not received anything yet. I have been on Medicare for five years. I am pretty sure she will go with a HD-G plan with the same company I have my HD-F plan with as well as the same "D" plan that I have. But we would like to look and price other offers.
I remember getting help from this forum when I went on Medicare. I do remember links to pricing, but I have been unable to find them this time.
The deluge could start any time (6 months out would be January). No way to know how or when her name starts showing up on their radar. I'm sure you could get some pricing from company websites. The federal employee health plan open season starts soon so they'll probably have information updated.
My wife will turn 65 in July. At what point will she start to get bombarded with plan offers? I am getting stuff, but she has not received anything yet. I have been on Medicare for five years. I am pretty sure she will go with a HD-G plan with the same company I have my HD-F plan with as well as the same "D" plan that I have. But we would like to look and price other offers.
I remember getting help from this forum when I went on Medicare. I do remember links to pricing, but I have been unable to find them this time.
Your question was answered on another thread two weeks ago, here:
Quote:
Originally Posted by SCGamecock
Quote:
Originally Posted by reubenray
I am starting to investigate plans for my wife who turns 65 next July. I am on a HD-F plan and I am sure she will go with a HD-G plan. Back when I turned 65 Ariadne22 helped me tremendously. At some point he posted a chart that showed all of the companies with HD plans, their rating and cost. The only difference this time is we will most likely be living in Arkansas instead of Alabama.
Right now I am trying to find approximate costs and companies without having to talk to an agent. To me an insurance agent rates right up there with a used car salesman.
The 'Agency on Aging' office in each state has SHIP (Senior Health Insurance Program) counselors who may be willing to email you a Medigap rate chart. They are volunteers, so some are more helpful than others.
I show the following HD-G rates for an Arkansas female currently turning 65 (non-tobacco):
$45.59 - Bankers Fidelity
$45.61 - Humana
$46.00 - United American (I would choose this one if the rates are similar next summer. They specialize in high deductible Medigaps.)
$46.71 - Garden State Life
$48.20 - BCBS Arkansas
Alabama HD-G rates:
$27.00 - United American
$32.13 - New Era Life
$38.98 - Omaha Life (Mutual of Omaha)
$41.04 - Bankers Fidelity
I remember that post, but I could never figure out where you got the rates from.
It wasn't me. It was SCGamecock who, based on other posts, appears closely connected to the insurance industry - and is able to access rate information not readily available to the public.
Fwiw, I just got a quote today via email from Garden State (a SLAICO company) on an HD-G for me, 78 y/o nonsmoking female, WI - $61.50 per month. Which seems unusually low for my age and this state. Usually there are add-ons - like, if you live alone, add another $5. Last time I inquired of SLAICO, I was sent the entire rate schedule which spelled everything out. So, I don't trust the $61.50.
Yes, it is a pain when all you want is a number and agents are the middleman.
Last edited by Ariadne22; 10-20-2020 at 07:08 PM..
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