I got my medicare card today and I don't know what to do

[alfredo]

I qualify for A & B.

I have health insurance through my union.

any hints or suggestions. It appears that I don't need part B because I have a group insurance plan with my wife covered. She'd lose coverage. Of course if my health insurance will spot me the Medicare premium, I'd go for it. but I will wait until I hear from you guys.

[ikojo]

1. From what I understand everyone is given part A which covers

inpatient hospital stays. Part B which covers physician and outpatient hospital services is the one for which you must pay a premium and that comes out of your monthly social security check. If you are still working (and your company is over 50 employees) then your group health insurance is primary (meaning they process any claims first) over Medicare.

I don't think you can opt out of Part A. I am also not sure about Part B.

There are a lot of rules associated with both portions of Medicare and the government is encouraging people to join Medicare HMOs. Because insurance companies tend not to make a lot of money on Medicare HMOs they pull out of the business once they have fulfilled their obligation to the government and people are forced to look for another carrier.

[roughsatori]

3. You pay deductibles and co-pays on top of the Medicare Premium NT

[roughsatori]

2. Medicare is not enough, you really need another plan on top

A and B does not mean they pay for it. It does not include medications and it has very high deductibles. Read your policy. My parents have Medicare and due to their being ill we must have private insurance or they would not be able to pay for health care.
READ about the deductibles and how much you pay if hospitalized, these are yearly deductibles, etc. Medicare sucks if you are very ill.

[alfredo]

4. I am going to keep my NALC insurance. It is $190. a month

for my wife and I. Medicine is usually $10. per month, per script. doctor appointments are $20. So it isn't too bad.

A is automatic, B can be deferred. My wife could be classified as disabled too, but she does not want to do that.

[roughsatori]

9. that sounds like a good idea to me, good luck

[KC21304]

5. I think you should take B also.

My husband is retired, has A & B and also supplemental from his old company. I am only 60 so am covered by the supplemental.

My understanding is if you do not take B when you are first eligible you cannot later on, right ?

If the cost for both B and the supplemental is prohibitive, I don't know what to tell you.

[Another Bill C.]

6. You need to check this.

Check with your union about this. Some insurance plans kick you out when you turn 65. If you can continue your insurance, it will really help your wife. Private insurance for her alone will probably run $500 a month or better. The union may have a special plan for this situation.

Hang on to all the health insurance you can possibly afford. Relying on Medicare will have you in the poorhouse as soon as you have any serious treatment. There's also no drug coverage under Medicare. I order mine from Canada.

[alfredo]

7. I decided not to do anything until

I talk to the union.

[SoCalDem]

8. I would seek out a co-worker a bit older than yourself

who has already made the transition.. :)

Some plans automitically jettison people when they are medicare eligible.. It's a cost cutting feature for them , but it sucks for the person..

My father had excellent blue cross blue shield, and when he turned 65, they dropped him, and told him he had to use medicare.:(