Medicare—what do you do? My husband has no clue

[Anonymous]

He is 64 and is eligible to sign up this Fall. I have insurance for us all through my work (57). Is there a way to plan this and get information on the process?
Thank you

[Anonymous]

Check with your local library and/or Y/JCC to see if they have seminars on this.

[Anonymous]

Do you want to keep your insurance? Medicare can be secondary and your plan can be primary, I believe. You can call the 24x7 hotline below with questions:

https://www.medicare.gov/talk-to-someone

There’s also SHIP, for Medicare advice::

https://insurance.maryland.gov/Consumer/Documents/publications/ship-phone-numbers.pdf

[Anonymous]

Meant - does *he want to keep your insurance ^

[Anonymous]

he should at least sign up for medicare part A. If you dont sign up then there can be a penalty for doing it later. This is the most basic and free one (generally) at 65. He could be on your insurance until you retire and then you can both decide to enroll in medicare with various supplemental plans (like part b, d, etc). Usually if there's a change in insurance situation, its not much of a penalty to enroll later in those (usually there are like open seasons). That being said, I would examine this further for correctness.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:he should at least sign up for medicare part A. If you dont sign up then there can be a penalty for doing it later. This is the most basic and free one (generally) at 65. He could be on your insurance until you retire and then you can both decide to enroll in medicare with various supplemental plans (like part b, d, etc). Usually if there's a change in insurance situation, its not much of a penalty to enroll later in those (usually there are like open seasons). That being said, I would examine this further for correctness.

I’ve been told that signing up for Parts A AND B is necessary to avoid future penalties. It can be done easily online.

I also recommend talking with someone at the SHIP program. The one in Montgomery County is associated with JCA.

[Anonymous]

There are many no charge companies that will step you through the process, I used the one below. Boomer Benefits is another. These are no charge companies they are paid by the insurance companies.


https://medicareschool.com/

[Anonymous]

I would go to a nonprofit agency that has good Medicare information:
www.aarp.org/health/medicare-qa-tool
learn.aarp.org/in-person-learning
www.medicarerights.org
shiphelp.org

But as I understand the laws, your husband can stay on your insurance and delay his enrollment in Medicare, and he'll be able to enroll during a Special Enrollment Period, which lasts 8 months after the work health care coverage would end. He would not have any late enrollment penalties as long as he enrolls in that 8 month time frame.

Smaller companies (less than 20 people) don't have to offer this option, so always double-check with your company.

There's no monthly premium for Medicare Part A, so a lot of people will enroll in that at 65 even if they have job-based insurance. In that case, it's a secondary insurance for hospitalization only.

[Anonymous]

I highly recommend getting the book “10 Costly Medicare Mistakes You Can’t Afford to Make” by Danielle Kunkle Roberts. Lots of great information and explanations

[Anonymous]

I’m k. So when your husband turns 65, he will automatically get Part A (assuming he is a citizen, has worked for 40 quarters— if he expects to qualify for social security). Your insurance will become secondary for Part A. If your husband is still working, he isn’t required to sign up for Parts B and D, both of which have a premium. If he isn’t working when he turns 65, he needs to sign up for both Part B nd D or pay a penalty if he ever does decide he wants to sign up. That applies even if he can be covered under your policy. If he does sign up, his coverage through your work plan would then become secondary.
A few months before his birthday he should call social security— he can make an appt online I think— and go through his choices with the social security person. They handle Medicare enrollment into Parts A, B, and D.

Btw,Part A covers inpatient care, Part B covers outpatient, doctors, tests, labs and related, and Part D covers prescription drugs.

[Anonymous]

I have been on A only since 65. My DH is still working and has group health for us in a large org. We do not need to get part B until he retires because the employer plan is creditable coverage. There will be no penalty. I have had various surgeries tests whatever and I don't think secondary Part A ever got tapped because primary employer plan is very generous.

[Anonymous]

Why isn't your husband doing this footwork?

[Anonymous]

If we've paid into medicare all these years, why are there such high fees with it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If we've paid into medicare all these years, why are there such high fees with it.

You pay based on your taxable income.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:There are many no charge companies that will step you through the process, I used the one below. Boomer Benefits is another. These are no charge companies they are paid by the insurance companies.


https://medicareschool.com/

These will try to sell you Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans. Use free information available online to learn the basics (AARP and Center for Medicare Advocacy both have good introductory materials) and contact your state/county SHIP for personalized advice.