Medicare Question

[mjarrels]

It is my understanding that when you turn 65 your medicare card arrives in the mail. Insurance company have been tracking me for months telling me my medicare card will arrive in the mail. It has been two weeks now after turning 65 and no medicare card has arrived. In my mind, I now have no health insurance now. I do have VA benefits because I'm retired Navy. Is there something I'm missing.

mark

 

[AWSubie]

Go to Medicare.gov to learn about the system and enroll.

 

[lostcreekranch]

It is my understanding that when you turn 65 your medicare card arrives in the mail. Insurance company have been tracking me for months telling me my medicare card will arrive in the mail. It has been two weeks now after turning 65 and no medicare card has arrived. In my mind, I now have no health insurance now. I do have VA benefits because I'm retired Navy. Is there something I'm missing.

mark

You have to sign up. It isn’t automatic.

 

[skipperbrown]

Your mind is correct. You don't have Medicare insurance unless you are already receiving social security. You must sign up for it before your 65th birthday or you will be penalized and get delayed coverage. My brother didn't sign up either and he was delayed admittance for over a year and was penalized as well with higher premiums. Contact Medicare today and get signed up or make sure you are signed up.

 

[lostcreekranch]

If you’re covered by health insurance, you can sign up for Medicare anytime w/o penalty or delay. Your prior employer can provide an affidavit that you were covered
prior to departure.

I retired mid-year when I was 67, signed up for Medicare, submitted Company affidavit that I’d been covered with private insurance, and had no gap in coverage nor penalty.

You can also have Medicare without taking benefits from Social Security. I didn’t start SS till I was 70.

Good Luck!

 

[mjarrels]

I don't want SS until 66.

mark

 

[SSdoxie]

I don't want SS until 66.

mark

You can still sign up for medicare without drawing SS. Part A is Hospital (major medical) & has no premium. Something I was not aware of until I signed up, was if you have other medical insurance and need to use Major Medical the Part A can be used as a secondary to help cover deductible and/or co-payments.
Part B has a monthly premium. You do not have to take this if you don't want to at this time.

 

[Jim Nelson]

For sure sign up with my medicare.gov and enroll in their system, not only for the insurance but so you can keep track of what the providers are charging for services. I have been astounded at some of the charges that I have found and got rid of.

Our situation is different than some in that we have paid into medicare since it's inception but because of some very expensive health issues, we have taken out more than we paid in , so now are working on our kids and grandkids money, plus all the other working people paying in. This just doesn't sit right with me, so I keep a close eye on my account ,and raise cain with those that I find abusing the system.

 

[5030]

I took SS at 66 but in retrospect, should have at 65.For me, medicare is supplemental, I have Federal Employees high option BC/BS so between both of them, my OOP expense is zero. dental is 75% and eyecare is 50% of total charges.

 

[JLH4]

Hi Mjerrels
Being retired military you have Tricare for Life which requires Medicare parts A and B and is automatic.
Go here for more info. Tricare for Life | Military.com
I hope you don't need it very often but it's nice to have.
Joe - Retired USAF:cloud9: