Reply to PSA-65 year olds (Medicare Part A)---Remember to Sign up!

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Reply to "PSA-65 year olds (Medicare Part A)---Remember to Sign up!"

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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]You don’t actually have to sign up for Part A — you get it automatically when you turn 65 if you have your 40 quarters of taxed income, which the vast, vast majority of Americans do (or your spouse does). It’s Part B that you have to sign up for, unless you are already collecting Social Security, in which case in most cases they assume you want Part B and enroll you. But it is always best to contact SS and confirm, which you can do 3 months before you turn 65. 
Medicare Advantage is definitely NOT a scam. It is a highly regulated program, with close and ongoing government scrutiny of almost every aspect of the program from the bids companies submit, how much they spend on medical care, how long it takes their customer service reps to answer questions, how quickly they pay doctors, and dozens and dozens of other areas. Medicare Advantage is a choice — in return for agreeing to a network of providers (with strict government rules and audits of those networks) and prior authorization, enrollees get much cheaper out of pocket costs and a range of additional benefits Medicare doesn’t cover. 
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DO NOT listen to this poster.
Yes, you must sign up for Medicare Part A, even if you have insurance.
It costs you nothing, and when you decide you want to buy in to other parts of Medicare, you will be able to sign up immediately.
I'm told Medicare Advantage generally covers less than does plain old Medicare, BUT the premiums are cheaper, at least initially, which is why it appeals to people. 
Why do you think the pushers of Medicare Advantage send so much junk mail advertising their products? You don't get a lot of ads from the US Government peddling regular ole Medicare, do you? 
I found a consultant through my alumni association who is very good at explaining Medigap programs, which she says are the way to go. I'm not there yet, but that's my plan. [/quote]

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