Hello Ms. Toni:
I am a Vet and have always received my healthcare from the Michael DeBakey VA center. I turned 65 last April 2011 and did not sign up for Part B in Medicare.
Now I have a serious heart condition requiring surgery and I would like to go to a heart specialist outside of the VA, but I have been told I will have to pay 100% for doctor care, MRIs, etc since I do not have Part B. I know I need to enroll in Part B, but really do not know what to do. Can you help me?
~ Thanks a confused Marine from Bellaire
Semper Fi, Marine:
Thank you so much for your service to our Great Country and being there when America needed you!! No one ever knows when they are going to need to receive healthcare outside of the VA Centers and now you know why it is so important to enroll in Part B of Medicare whether you are a Veteran who uses to VA or someone who only has Medicare and needs serious medical needs. 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.
Because you did not enroll in Part B when you were first eligible for Medicare, you 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.
I am glad you asked about what you should do!! First, you need to contact Social Security at 1/800-772-1213 or go to your local office in person to enroll in Part B and tell the Social Security Rep that you need to enroll in Part B under the “General Enrollment Period”. This enrollment period is from Jan 1- March 31 and your Medicare Part B will begin July 1st.
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 who first eligible. Let’s says you waited 50 months, which is 4 full 12-month period, 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:
- You will have a late penalty for as long as you are on Medicare.
- 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.
