Toni,
I am having problems with TRS/Aetna and Medicare. My wife is a retired Ft. Bend school teacher. I am retired and currently 66 years old. I am covered under her Aetna plan. When I turned 65, I enrolled in Medicare Part A only. I did not enroll in Part B since I was told it was for drug benefits which were covered by Aetna. Now I find out that is Part D not B. I was hospitalized last September and I am now being told, since I did not enroll in part B, the majority of the cost I will have to pay approximately $28,000. Do you think this is accurate?
I enrolled in Part B a week ago; however it will not be active until July 1.
I was referred to you by a State Farm. He indicated you help those who are totally confused about Medicare find the right plan or option for them. Once I get this straightened out, 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 TRS. I have no idea of what to do or where to start. Thank you, Jim from Franklin, TX
Good Morning Jim:
Your type of problem is the main reason I wrote the Medicare Survival Guide because Medicare has rules and when you don’t follow them, you get stung…Just like you have been and it is quite a surprise such as having to pay the $28,000 that you were not expecting.
I hope those reading now know how important it is to be sure you are enrolled in Part B when you turn 65. Enroll in Part B at least 90 days prior to your 65th birthday if you are 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 long working fulltime when you turned 65. Had you consulted with me I would have advised you to YES… enroll in Part B because she was not working full time.
Thank God, you enroll when you did a few weeks ago!! The penalty is 10% of the current Part B premium for each 12 month period that you could have enrolled in Part B (Medical), but failed to.
Anyone who does not have 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 1st, just like yours has. This time period is called the General Enrollment Period. Confusing isn’t it. I don’t know why they cannot make this simpler, but that is Washington for you.
Yes…I do consult on Medicare and help those who are confused understand what their options are. Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 visits just to get your Medicare situation right for you. People need to understand that Medicare is not a cookie cutter situation and one size does not fit everyone’s Medicare needs.
**** Toni’s Confused about Medicare workshops answer questions such as “Medicare Part D and the donut hole”… the prescription money pit, what is difference between “Original or Traditional” Medicare, a Medicare supplement or Medicare Part C (an Advantage Plan)”. These questions and many more will be answered at the Confused about Medicare Workshop to be held at Oyster Creek Manor at 3505 FM 1092, Missouri City, TX 77459 on April 11th at 6:00 PM. The presentation is free of charge and open to the public. RSVP by calling 832/800-4674 as seating is limited.
Toni King, author of the Medicare Survival Guide which is on sale at www.tonisays.com. Toni is an advocate/consultant for those “Confused about Medicare”. Email questions to toni@tonisays.com or call 832/519-TONI (8664).
