Medicare tutorials?

[albireo13]

In my case, we will be usig my wife's health insurance (which is quite good) while she works. Therefore, I don't plan on using Medicare benefits for several years.
Still, I want to make sure I enroll properly and don't miss anything.

[REWahoo]

Quote:

Originally Posted by albireo13 In my case, we will be usig my wife's health insurance (which is quite good) while she works. Therefore, I don't plan on using Medicare benefits for several years. Still, I want to make sure I enroll properly and don't miss anything.

If you haven't already done so, you should confirm the employer insurance will continue to be primary for you once you turn 65. It is often the case that once you are eligible for Medicare it becomes primary and the employer insurance becomes secondary, and functions as a Medigap (suppliment) policy.

[Cricket69]

Quote:

Originally Posted by foxfirev5 Not sure if this applies to anybody else. I'll be switching to Medicare in April. I just found out today that my retiree medical plan will cover DW only if I use the VIA Benefits plan with the Medigap offerings presented. The alternative is to place her on an ACA plan. Trapped.

FF5, I am single but also have to utilize Via if I want the annual reimbursement offered by MegaCorp. Many of my co-workers have spouses that continue to be covered by retiree medical since they are not yet 65 and they seem to have few problems/concerns. I am assuming your company is offering an HRA for utilizing Via so you will need to determine for your situation if this is beneficial. I comparison shop for the heck of it every year and I have found the offerings through Via(for myself) to be very competitive with the market. If you find something less expensive for your spouse than what you can get through retiree medical bring it to the attention of Via. Good luck.

[albireo13]

Quote:

Originally Posted by REWahoo If you haven't already done so, you should confirm the employer insurance will continue to be primary for you once you turn 65. It is often the case that once you are eligible for Medicare it becomes primary and the employer insurance becomes secondary, and functions as a Medigap (suppliment) policy.

Thanks. Wasn't aware of that. Do I do that through the employer or
through Medicare/SS?

[REWahoo]

I'd contact your wife's insurer.

[friar1610]

You might find this of interest: https://retireearlyhomepage.com/medicare2020.html

It’s a short article by John Greaney (intercst) one of the pioneers of the Early Retirement movement. He has had a web site forever called the Retire Early Home Page. Something made me look at it earlier today - hadn’t been there in a few years. He rarely updates it these days; I was surprised to learn he’s 64 now and about to sign up for Medicare. This article discusses his take on Medicare, Medicare Advantage, supplemental policies, etc. I think he was 38 or 42 or some unbelievably young age when he ER’d so it’s hard to think he’s ready for Medicare. I was going to start a thread to post the link but it seemed to tie into your questions.

Good luck.

[saydiver]

There are plenty of videos on YouTube explaining all aspects of Medicare. I suggest doing a search on YouTube and watching several of them. The broker at the following link helps his clients with their Medicare issues and also sells the high deductible plans, which many insurance brokers refuse to sell, because the commissions are so low. You want to find a broker who represents many highly rated insurance companies and will suggest plans that are best for you rather than plans that give them the largest commission.

Here's one broker's videos I suggest watching:

https://www.youtube.com/c/MedigapSeminarsorg/videos

[Sunset]

The medicare.gov site is really great for learning about medicare, and picking whether you want the Original Medicare (about 67% of people pick this) which is Part A, B and D.
Or go with a Medicare Advantage type plan (which are similar to HMO/PPO and are more restrictive about where you get treated), and which tease folks with extra's like dental, or drive you to appts.

I've helped some older relatives pick their part D plan, and saved them literally thousands of dollars per year. If you have been on the same part D plan for some years, it may save you a lot to compare.

This year I'm saving the one relative $900/yr by him switching from a plan D he had for over a decade ! His drugs and plan will cost approx $300 for 2021 instead of $1,200.

The medicare.gov is a fabulous success (IMHO) for picking from all the Plan D's available in your area.

[albireo13]

Well, I talked with an independent agent who informed me that I only need to sign up for Medicare A, in my situation. B and D, and any supplemental, can be added later once my wife retires and I go off her health insurance.

[Bamaman]

The airwaves are being blitzed for Medicare Advantage plans where they pay your main physician "X" amounts to service you--no matter how many times they have to see you per year. Many primary doctors will not accept Advantage patients in our area.

Many Advantage plans work like a HMO--with you going to their hospitals and their specialists. If you live in a rural area, you might have to go to the next county or town to a hospital or specialist--if your hospital and doctors are not accepting that insurance.

My wife has had 7 surgeries in just over 2 years and is getting ready for major foot surgery where she'll be in rehab for 3 weeks after 4 days in the hospital. Then after about a year recovery, she'll have to go through it again on the other foot. She's getting an electric wheelchair that carries a 20% durable goods deductible on Part B.

We prefer to go on Plan F which is the most expensive and most comprehensive of all Medicare Part D's. We want to have absolutely the highest quality physicians and very best hospitals available which is not necessarily what we'd get on any Advantage plan.

And as a type II diabetic, 20% of my insulin supplies and insulin on Part B is quite expensive. I also need a new insulin pump (after 7 years), and 20% of $6800 would far exceed the cost of Plan F. And the wife's electric wheelchair will be 100% covered on Part B by Plan F.

We just prefer to call the shots on our healthcare--including specific doctors and hospitals.

[CoolChange]

Based on a couple of other papers this board's very own AtlasShrugged has shared, I am assuming it is high quality with little bias: Medicare Guide



I have downloaded but not read this yet since this subject is not of immediate concern for me.