Hello Toni:
I have your Medicare Survival Guide, but I still am confused on an issue. My husband retired from an oil company with full benefits. We have both turned 65 this year and will now be going on Medicare. His company has automatically enrolled us in their Med Supp plan. I understand that this is designed to proved coverage to supplement expenses covered under Medicare Part A, B and Part D. I am currently paying $52 a month (for me) for this plan. However, I just received a letter from Social Security stating that due to “IRMAA” they are deducting a monthly adjustment amount of $207.90 from my Feb. SS check and a monthly deduction of $69.30. Why are they making me pay for the Prescription Drug coverage when I never signed up for it, and I am already paying for the coverage through my husband’s company? I am totally confused. Can you clarify this for me, as it seems Social Security cannot? Thank you. Nancy Carter
Hello Nancy:
From what you are explaining to me about your husband’s retiree insurance plan that covers Medicare Parts A, B, and D; I would come to the conclusion that this could be a Medicare Advantage Plan and not a Medicare Supplement.
Since you have received an IRMAA letter from Social Security, I would imagine that your husband will be getting one also, depending on when his Medicare begins. The IRMAA amount which is billed to you is because your last income filed on your taxes is over $85,000 as an individual or $170,000 as a couple.
The $69.30 IRMAA amount which you are paying is for the income level of about $214,000 for an individual or $428,000 for a couple.
This new Medicare Rule that went into effect January 1, 2011, regarding Medicare Part D and this may have affected you and your Social Security check. This year all that is mentioned about paying more for a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan is on page 91 of the 2014 Medicare & You handbook.
Because the 2014 Medicare & You handbooks were mailed out October 1, 2013 and the Part A and Part B premiums and co pays were not released until after November 15, 2013, then current premiums and co pays were not printed in the handbook. To find out, what the current co pay, deductibles or premiums are, then one must Google what the 2014 Medicare costs and premiums are or one can order Toni’s Medicare Survival Guide which includes the current Medicare costs and premiums and Social Security forms on how to apply for benefits and enroll in Medicare at the right time.
If you have to pay an extra amount and you disagree because are not making the income you had before you retired, then you can appeal because of a life change (for example, a life changing event such as death of a spouse or retire/loss of a job that lowers your income), call Social Security at 1/800-772-1213, online at www.socialsecurity.gov or go visit your local Social Security office and wait in line. Take your latest tax return to prove your income.
Remember always get copies of the paperwork Social Security is going to process. You will always want back up, in case you have to go back and argue your case.
Join Toni and her team at the Confused about Medicare workshop:
- Chapel of Eternal Peace-Wednesday, March 12th from 6:00-8:00PM at the Chapel of Eternal Peace, 2454 S. Dairy Ashford, Houston, TX 77077
RSVP at 832/800-4674
- Cypress Bible Church-Saturday, March 29th from 8:30 AM-11:00 AM at Cypress Bible Church,11711 Cypress- N. Houston Rd, Cypress, TX 77429 RSVP 832/800-4674
Toni King, author of the new Medicare Survival Guide®, which is a simple guide that puts Medicare in people terms, is on sales at www.tonisays.com. Email question or to schedule a “Confused about Medicare Workshop” to www.tonisays.com/ask-toni or call 832/519-TONI (8664)
