Toni,
I am having a big problem with my wife’s company benefits and my Medicare. My wife is a retired from an oil company with great benefits. I am retired and currently 66 years old. I am covered under her retiree health insurance plan. When I turned 65, I enrolled in Medicare Part A only and did not enroll in Part B, because I was told it was for drug a benefit, which is covered by Aetna. Now I find out that is Part D not B.
I was hospitalized last January from a heart attack that required a triple bypass. I am now being told, since I did not enroll in part B, the majority of the cost I will have to pay is approximately $41,750. Do you think this is accurate? I am told by Social Security that I can enrolled in Part B, but not until January 0f 2018; however it will not be completely active until July 1, 2018. This puzzles me??
I would like to meet with you and discuss my options of either changing to a supplemental plan with Part A & B of Medicare or staying with my wife’s retiree benefits. I have no idea of what to do or where to start.
Thank you,
Alex from Atlanta, GA
Hello Alex:
The exasperating rules of Medicare is the reason WHY I wrote the Medicare Survival Guide because when you DON’T follow the rules properly or the way Medicare states; then guess who pays more…You do!!
Exactly like you have currently been experiencing and it is such a surprise when you have the pay $41,750 that you are not expecting to pay.
I want those reading to know how important it is to be sure you are enrolled in Part B when you turn 65 especially if you or your spouse is not working full time.
Enroll in Part B at least 90 days prior to your 65th birthday if you or your spouse is not working full-time. “Is still working” full-time with true company benefits (not an individual plan) are what Medicare is searching for to keep from giving you the Part B penalty.
Your wife had true company benefits, but was no longer working fulltime when you turned 65. That is where the problem started. Had you consulted with me I would have advised you to YES… enroll in Part B because she was not working full time.
Anyone who does not enroll in Part B, when they were first eligible, can only enroll in Part B from January 1-March 31 and the Part B will begin on July 1, just like yours has. This time period is called the General Enrollment Period. Confusing isn’t it. I don’t know why they (Medicare) cannot make this simpler, but that is Washington for you!
Yes…I do consult on Medicare and Social Security and help those who are totally overwhelmed understand what their options are. Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 visits to get your Medicare option right for you.
People need to understand that Medicare is not a cookie cutter situation and one size does not fit everyone’s Medicare health insurance needs.
Still Confused Or Have Questions?
Inside the Confused about Medicare Package you will find my personal notes that I utilize to teach my workshops. Also, I have taken the Maze of Medicare and broken it down to make it much easier to understand. If you are interested in obtaining this information please click on the picture below.
Regular Price $29.95 – Special $24.95
To Set Up A Workshop Or Webinar
Contact the Toni Says office at 832/519-8664 or email info@tonisays.com to schedule a 2017 Medicare Open Enrollment Confused about Medicare workshop for your church or organization,.
