Dear Toni:
I am a disabled Viet Nam Vet and am finally turning 65 this November. I am just completely confused and really not sure with what I should do. I use Michael DeBakey VA Center for all of my Doctor visits and prescriptions. I have talked with a few Vets that have told me to not get “Part B” or the Medicare Prescription drug plan because I get everything from the VA. Is this right? I don’t want to make a mistake. I’ve been reading your articles and not sure what to do. Can you help me or direct me in the right direction? Semper Fi…a lost Marine in Sugar Land.
Semper Fi Marine:
Thanks for your service to our Country and being there when America needed you!! I am glad you didn’t listen to your buddies and decided to email me. Some people are dangerous when they give advice and have no idea of what the consequences can be or how this will impact your Medicare. Actually you do not need “Part B” to receive medical care from the VA, but when you go outside of the VA for any medical treatment you do need Part B. You might be ambulanced to another hospital that is not a VA facility for a medical emergency or you may go to MD Anderson for cancer treatment as examples, then you will pay 100% of the medical charges that “Part B” covers because you do not have Part B. Part B covers all of your outpatient needs, doctor services such as office visits and even surgery, MRIs, chemotherapy and the list can go on. Without Part B of Medicare, a person can have to pay 100% out their pocket and this could be in the $1,000s or hundreds of thousands of dollars.
But not enrolling in Part D (Medicare Prescription Drug plan) is another story. Medicare considers the VA credible coverage and when you enroll in Part D at a later date, you do not get the late penalty.
Many do not enroll in Part B when they are first eligible for Medicare, may have to pay a “late enrollment” penalty of 10% for each full 12-month period that you could have had Part B, but did not sign up for it. See page 30 of the 2012 Medicare & You handbook for more information.
The most important thing to remember about delaying Part B of Medicare is the 10% penalty for each full 12-month period. This penalty is for anyone who did not enroll in Part B when first eligible, who is retired and/or no longer “working”. Let’s says you waited 50 months, which is 4 full 12-month periods, then the Part B penalty is an additional 40% added to the current Part B premium for as long as you have Medicare.
Bottom line… enroll in Part B when you are offered because:
1. You will have a late penalty for as long as you are on Medicare.
2. If you are not enrolled in Part B, you will pay 100% for all services covered under Medicare’s Part B which can be thousands of dollars.
Toni King is an advocate/consultant for those “Confused about Medicare”. Medicare open enrollment begins Oct 15th and if you would like a “Confused about Medicare” workshop for your church, group or company send Toni an email at toni@tonysays.com or call 832/519-TONI (8664). Visit Toni’s new website and blog at www.tonisays.com.
