Can't I just keep my health insurance and not sign up for Medicare?

[Anonymous]

I'm seeing that it's more trouble than it's worth. And, looking at my friend's bills and payments, it pays a ridiculous amount to doctors with her supplemental not paying much or even anything, saying "your provider has agreed to accept the Medicare payment", which is a fraction of all the bills. Right now, my insurance pays most of their requested bills. Do I have to do this? Plus. I am going abroad for several months. Medicare doesn't cover that.

[Anonymous]

What insurance do you have? Retiree health insurance plans can required to sign up for Medicare because Medicare is the primary payer. There are also penalties for waiting to sign up for Medicare.

[Anonymous]

I am a retired Fed. Just going with FEHB and no Medicare

[Anonymous]

Everyone gets Medicare part A for free when they turn 65 if they are not working.If you are still working, you don't need to get it but once you decide to get social security after age 65, you will get it automatically.

Medicare A pays only for hospitalizations. For doctor's visits, you either need to sign up (and pay) for part B or use your employer plan if it follows you into retirement. Same for Part D for medications.

[Anonymous]

Everyone gets Medicare A for free when you started collecting SSA whether or not you are working. It not optional.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I am a retired Fed. Just going with FEHB and no Medicare

Tell me why you decided to do that. That's what I'm thinking of doing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone gets Medicare A for free when you started collecting SSA whether or not you are working. It not optional.

Not certain Fed retirees, unless now they can get SS under the new law. Still, not all.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What insurance do you have? Retiree health insurance plans can required to sign up for Medicare because Medicare is the primary payer. There are also penalties for waiting to sign up for Medicare.

Federal

[Anonymous]

Following. DH is a fed, 67, and has not yet signed up for medicare and we have FEP BCBS. He will likely retire in the next year.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Everyone gets Medicare A for free when you started collecting SSA whether or not you are working. It not optional.

No, we are military retirees on tricare and told we have to pay a few hundred a month for it which sucks when we still have to use tricare prime and if we go standard huge and deductibles copay’s so we’d need a supplement.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Everyone gets Medicare A for free when you started collecting SSA whether or not you are working. It not optional.

No, we are military retirees on tricare and told we have to pay a few hundred a month for it which sucks when we still have to use tricare prime and if we go standard huge and deductibles copay’s so we’d need a supplement.

A may be free but we are forced on b and tricare doesn’t cover all meds.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm seeing that it's more trouble than it's worth. And, looking at my friend's bills and payments, it pays a ridiculous amount to doctors with her supplemental not paying much or even anything, saying "your provider has agreed to accept the Medicare payment", which is a fraction of all the bills. Right now, my insurance pays most of their requested bills. Do I have to do this? Plus. I am going abroad for several months. Medicare doesn't cover that.

Most insurances require that you make Medicare first at 65, and them secondary, even if you are still working. If you don't sign up for Medicare at 65, there are penalties (will cost more later)

[Anonymous]

That’s the big question, OP. Are you still working, and do you have the insurance through your work?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I'm seeing that it's more trouble than it's worth. And, looking at my friend's bills and payments, it pays a ridiculous amount to doctors with her supplemental not paying much or even anything, saying "your provider has agreed to accept the Medicare payment", which is a fraction of all the bills. Right now, my insurance pays most of their requested bills. Do I have to do this? Plus. I am going abroad for several months. Medicare doesn't cover that.

Most insurances require that you make Medicare first at 65, and them secondary, even if you are still working. If you don't sign up for Medicare at 65, there are penalties (will cost more later)

I don’t think Medicare is always first. My 65 year old spouse is on Medicare, but since she is a dependent on my health insurance (and I work for a large company 100+ employees) my insurance is primary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That’s the big question, OP. Are you still working, and do you have the insurance through your work?

I am not working. On Fed ins.