Medicare

[mitchjav]

So I'm sure this is answered somewhere in the thread.. but a quick search could not find it - so guessing folks here have some quick answers. DW and I are not yet taking Social Security and she is turning 65 in November. She applied today for Medicare Parts A & B on the SS website. Assuming she has to wait for approval and a Medicare # before she tries to apply for Medicare Advantage or Supplement --- is that correct? How long does SS take to turnaround her application? Does she need to be signed up for Medicare Advantage or Supplement before November?

Thanks, Mitch

 

[Z3Dreamer]

She will have her card in a few weeks. Yes, she cannot apply for MA or Medigap until she gets her card. You have plenty of time. I picked a plan three weeks before my benefits began. That was plenty of time.

She does not need to be signed up for MA or Supplement (Medigap) before November. 7 month window. 3 before. The month. 3 months after.

I recommend that you start reading.

 

[Z3Dreamer]

You left off Part D if you go the Medigap route.

 

[pb4uski]

I, and others here, highly recommend Boomer Benefits. Even if you don't end up using them the informational videos that they have on their website are very good.

Part A (hospital coverage) is usually free... you've paid for it during your working career. Part B (doctors, etc) is currently $170.10/month unless your income is really high and you are outside of IRMAA Tier 1. Part D is for prescriptions and is usually inexpensive... $10 to $25/month but sometimes has high deductibles and co-pays.

We decided to go with Medigap rather than Medicare Advantage. Our Medigap Plan G covers most everything not covered by Parts A and B other than the Medicare Part B deductible, which was $233 in 2022. The cost of Medigap can vary greatly... we currently pay ~$175/month each.

 

[Dash man]

Check out the YouTube videos from Christopher Westfall of https://seniorsavingsnetwork.org .
His videos are great at explaining why you should avoid Medicare Advantage and go with a Medicare Supplement. MA plans pay a much higher commission than a supplement, but this guy points out the problems you can run into.