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I signed up for Medicare A + B before turning 65, but waited until I was about to turn 66 to sign up for SS. I went on SS on DH's record to have the higher amount. A bit later, Medicare sent me a replacement Medicare card with DH's SS# on it...before that my original card had my own SS#. Somehow, nobody had explained that detail to me! Since I already had ChampVA medical coverage, it had became my secondary payer after Medicare. Happily, I didn't need to worry about getting any other policy.
So, I turn 65 on Feb 10. I work full time and have health insurance through my employer. I want to start getting SS and Medicare (A and B) and retire ASAP. I know now I'm supposed to sign up three months before I turn 65, but it's too late for that. The Medicare site says that my coverage will start the first day of the month of my birthday if I sign up the month before. But since I'm signing up for SS at the same time (which says allow three months), will it delay the start of my Medicare, or will they start at different times? And how soon will I know after signing up on the website? Thanks.
Looks like you already have the answer. I just wanted to say that we have never been insured as well as we are now under Medicare and the Medigap (Supplemental) plan.
As far as I know all Medigap plans are about the same, so cheapest is best.
Be SURE, if there is any chance at all you will be traveling outside the US, to buy the Medigap plan that pays if you have a medical problem overseas. It will cost almost nothing extra. I had a gall bladder attack in Bermuda, where Medicare does not cover, and my supplemental policy picked it up. Most of it.
Many foreign countries have figured out that Americans are used to paying through the nose for medical service. Bermuda charged $5,000 for an emergency room visit with X Ray and CT scan, and a friend of our visited a nurse in Jamaica at one of those 'all inclusives' and was charged $3,000. Yeah
Medicare works, we are told, in Canada and Mexico.
I have one more question about getting Medigap and Part D plans. I want them to start the same time as Part B, do I need my Medicare info before I sign up for those plans? How can I make sure I don't have a gap in coverage when I go from my work coverage to Part D?
Medicare works, we are told, in Canada and Mexico.
Only in very limited circumstances, i.e. if you're traveling within the US and the nearest hospital happens to be in Mexico or Canada.
For retirees in foreign countries, Medicare pays zero benefits. It's my understanding that one has the option of continuing to pay/carry Medicare in case they want to return to the US for medical treatment. Otherwise they can opt out altogether.
Better expand on that to say collecting SS before FRA of 66 will result in a reduced SS payment. It could be OP is just working for the health insurance. I wonder if he knows how expensive Medigaps can be - plus drug coverage - $200/mo., easy, for both. Plus, another $105 Part B.
Better expand on that to say collecting SS before FRA of 66 will result in a reduced SS payment. It could be OP is just working for the health insurance. I wonder if he knows how expensive Medigaps can be - plus drug coverage - $200/mo., easy, for both. Plus, another $105 Part B.
It's still cheaper than private insurance, and it's better coverage than my group plan. The only surprise is how expensive dental insurance is.
I have one more question about getting Medigap and Part D plans. I want them to start the same time as Part B, do I need my Medicare info before I sign up for those plans? How can I make sure I don't have a gap in coverage when I go from my work coverage to Part D?
Your current insurance is good for a whole month and almost always, if not always, there is a 30 day grace period for non-payment if there is some unusual problem or delay and you don't want to pay for another month.
That covered month should be an adequate amount of time to get the Parts B and D.
It's still cheaper than private insurance, and it's better coverage than my group plan. The only surprise is how expensive dental insurance is.
If you find a good dental plan, please share. Lot depends on where you live.
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