tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608503664772109513.post3590546730629299921..comments2024-03-14T04:00:03.991-07:00Comments on Baby Boomer Retirement: Important Medicare Tips for BoomersDeborah-Dianehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12743246284375884419noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608503664772109513.post-9944600208484644512012-07-09T10:35:55.979-07:002012-07-09T10:35:55.979-07:00Great information. It's wonderful that other ...Great information. It's wonderful that other readers can add to it too. Good advice.domestic divahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15324117875413405647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608503664772109513.post-6594687067686912992012-07-05T18:32:47.695-07:002012-07-05T18:32:47.695-07:00Thank you for your comments and clarifications. I...Thank you for your comments and clarifications. I actually based this blog post on the Medicare website, in the hope of keeping my information accurate. Their homepage is very general, however, so I appreciate how much detail you added. Welcome to my website any time!Deborah-Dianehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12743246284375884419noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2608503664772109513.post-26807679804570237752012-07-05T15:16:35.763-07:002012-07-05T15:16:35.763-07:00There is some misinformation in points 2-5 above:
...There is some misinformation in points 2-5 above:<br /><br />2. If you are still working when you turn 65, and you are covered by a medical insurance plan through your employer, you still need to file for Medicare Parts A and B, even if you will not be using those benefits for a few years. <br /><br />IF YOU SIGN UP FOR "A" YOU WILL MOST LIKELY BE USING IT RIGHT AWAY. IT HAS TO DO WITH THE SIZE OF YOUR EMPLOYER. IN A LARGE COMPANY, TALK TO THE HUMAN RELATIONS GROUP TO SEE HOW THEY WANTED IT HANDLED. IF YOU WORK FOR A SMALLER EMPLOYER, YOU ALMOST CERTAINLY WANT BOTH A AND B BUT PROBABLY NEED TO GO TO THE LOCAL SENIOR CENTER TO GET HELP <br /><br />Again, you need to do this before your 65th birthday, so you can save money on premiums when you do begin to rely on Medicare. YOU ACTUALLY HAVE UP TO THREE MONTHS AFTER THE MONTH YOU TURN 65 TO SIGN UP IN ORDER TO AVOID THE PENALTY. BUT IT'S STILL A GOOD IDEA TO SIGN UP EARLY<br /><br />3. Medicare is divided into four parts: Original Parts A and B, which help cover hospital and doctor bills; Part C, which is an extra Medicare Advantage program you purchase to cover some of the expenses not covered by A and B; and Part D, which is drug coverage. When you choose a Medicare Advantage plan, or Part C, most of the plans also include Parts A, B and D so that everything is together in one convenient plan. ALL PART C PLANS REQUIRE A AND B; IT'S NOT THAT THEY ARE INCLUDED. THE REASON PEOPLE HAVE A PLAN SUCH AS C OR A PRIVATE MEDIGAP PLAN WITH D IS BECAUSE A/B IS TERRIBLE INSURANCE. THERE IS NO CATASTROPHIC COVERAGE, NO VISION/DENTAL/ANNUAL-PHYSICAL, HIGH DEDUCTIBLES AND CO-PAYS AND C PLANS IN PARTICULAR HAVE LIMITED GEOGRAPHICAL COVERAGE. FOR THIS REASON, 92% OF US GET SOME KIND OF SUPPLMENT, EITHER A C PLAN OR A MEDIGAP PLAN OR SOMETHING FROM A FORMER EMPLOYER<br /><br />4. There are many different Medicare Advantage plans, and most of them will offer informational meetings in your community. However, one of my friends simply called her current doctors and asked them which Advantage programs they liked the best. She found there was one particular plan that kept being mentioned, so that is the Advantage program she chose. You should also know that there are different prices and benefits available for the various plans, too, so shop around. AND JUST LIKE INSURANCE AT WORK, THE PRICES AND BENEFITS CHANGE EVERY YEAR (THEY CHANGE IN OCTOBER; YOU HAVE UNTIL ABOUT DECEMBER 1 TO CHANGE YOUR PLAN FOR THE FOLLOWING YEAR). ALL THE MEDIGAP PLANS HAVE LOCAL INFORMATIONAL MEETINGS TOO AND THEY PRETTY MUCH CAME FROM THE SAME COMPANIES.<br /><br />5. If you believe that you cannot afford your Medicare premiums, ask for help from your local Social Security office. Low income retirees can qualify for help. SOCIAL SECURITY ASSISTS LOW INCOME SENIORS ONLY IN RELATION TO PART D PLANS. IT IS BETTER TO GO TO A LOCAL SENIOR CENTER FOR HELP ON ALL ISSUES RELATED TO HEALTH INSURANCE, WHETHER OR NOT YOU ARE LOW INCOME.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com