topic Re: Medicare in Wellness

Medicare

Nightowlz — Mon, 23 May 2016 19:24:06 GMT

Don't you have to be 65 to use it? My dad thinks if DH retires at 62 he can get on Medicare. I told him if DH retires at 62 he would be without Ins for 3 yrs & I would be without for 5 yrs. Have only had health ins from the work place.

Re: Medicare

BLH — Mon, 23 May 2016 19:27:35 GMT

Everyone gets medicare at 65.

Re: Medicare

DoneTryin — Mon, 23 May 2016 19:36:58 GMT

@CHATTY wrote:
Everyone gets medicare at 65.

People have to enroll, so it's not automatic.

The best way to get accurate info is to go to their website at www.medicare.gov

Re: Medicare

Melania — Mon, 23 May 2016 19:40:42 GMT

OP you may be thinking of SS. He can start getting it 62 but it will be reduced from what he would get at 66 and you don't recoup it.

Re: Medicare

2blonde — Mon, 23 May 2016 19:55:46 GMT

Everyone is eligible for Medicare at 65, not before.

Re: Medicare

Q4u — Mon, 23 May 2016 20:02:22 GMT

You are eligable to get Social Security at 62 but many opt not to get in for a few years because their payments will be larger if they wait.

Medicare is a health program for Seniors and everyone is eligible at 65 (no earlier), but you have to enroll. As stated it doesn't automatically start but the eligibility to enroll starts at 65. It will cover approx 80% of health expenses and most everyone tries to get a supplemental insurance plan to cover the 20% that Medicare does not cover.

Re: Medicare

Nightowlz — Mon, 23 May 2016 20:23:16 GMT

@Melania wrote:
OP you may be thinking of SS. He can start getting it 62 but it will be reduced from what he would get at 66 and you don't recoup it.

My dad thinks if you start SS at 62 that Medicare kicks in. I told him no it was 65. He asked when did they change that. I told him it's always been 65 as far as I know.

We know it will be reduced but he's ready to quit working. He just turned 60.

Re: Medicare

Nightowlz — Mon, 23 May 2016 20:26:38 GMT

@Q4u wrote:
You are eligable to get Social Security at 62 but many opt not to get in for a few years because their payments will be larger if they wait.

Medicare is a health program for Seniors and everyone is eligible at 65 (no earlier), but you have to enroll. As stated it doesn't automatically start but the eligibility to enroll starts at 65. It will cover approx 80% of health expenses and most everyone tries to get a supplemental insurance plan to cover the 20% that Medicare does not cover.

How far in advance before turning 65 do you enroll? DH is sick of working. I want him to retire at 62 because I want to move. We don't want to pay for expensive health ins until we both turn 65. When the time comes I will have to do my homework on supplemental ins.

Re: Medicare

Caligurll — Mon, 23 May 2016 20:32:47 GMT

@Nightowlz wrote:
@Q4u wrote:
You are eligable to get Social Security at 62 but many opt not to get in for a few years because their payments will be larger if they wait.

Medicare is a health program for Seniors and everyone is eligible at 65 (no earlier), but you have to enroll. As stated it doesn't automatically start but the eligibility to enroll starts at 65. It will cover approx 80% of health expenses and most everyone tries to get a supplemental insurance plan to cover the 20% that Medicare does not cover.

How far in advance before turning 65 do you enroll? DH is sick of working. I want him to retire at 62 because I want to move. We don't want to pay for expensive health ins until we both turn 65. When the time comes I will have to do my homework on supplemental ins.

@Nightowlz

You can apply 3 months before your 65th birthday. It becomes effective the month you turn 65, at the beginning of that month. It takes about 5-10 minutes to apply online, and within 3 weeks you get your Medicare card. I was surprised at how quick and easy the whoe application process is.

Re: Medicare

151949 — Mon, 23 May 2016 20:56:16 GMT

If you retire on disability you can get medicare before 65 - two years after your disability claim is approved. Otherwise , yes, you must be 65. If you retire before 65 then you could either go on COBRA - very expensive - from your employer or go to the Health marketplace thru Obamacare.It is illegal to be without health insurance since the ACA , you must show proof of insurance when you file your income taxes now.

Re: Medicare

dancingwoman — Mon, 23 May 2016 21:06:53 GMT

I started getting my SS last year at 64...I got a letter last month from Medicare (and a Medicare card) saying that I was automatically enrolled because I'm already collecting SS...and that in July...my bday month they will start taking Medicare premiums out of my SS....DW

Re: Medicare

maestra — Mon, 23 May 2016 21:42:52 GMT

I am retiring @ 63 and we will have to COBRA until I can get on Medicare.

Yes, it's expensive, but I like my oncologists and specialists.

We'll see, perhaps we may go on ACA. We're not sure what will happen w/a new administration and/or changes in ACA.

Re: Medicare

Ms X — Mon, 23 May 2016 22:27:17 GMT

@151949 wrote:
If you retire on disability you can get medicare before 65 - two years after your disability claim is approved. Otherwise , yes, you must be 65. If you retire before 65 then you could either go on COBRA - very expensive - from your employer or go to the Health marketplace thru Obamacare.It is illegal to be without health insurance since the ACA , you must show proof of insurance when you file your income taxes now.

I just wanted to clarify something. You don't need to go through the ObamaCare exchanges. Another option is to buy directly from the insurers. If you qualify for a subsidy, I think you must go through the exchanges.

Re: Medicare

scotnovel — Mon, 23 May 2016 22:30:53 GMT

@DoneTryin wrote:
@CHATTY wrote:
Everyone gets medicare at 65.
People have to enroll, so it's not automatic.

The best way to get accurate info is to go to their website at www.medicare.gov

It is automatic IF you have opted to take your social security at 62. The supplemental/ advantage/drug plans are not automatic.

Re: Medicare

jubilant — Mon, 23 May 2016 22:54:24 GMT

Medicaid is available if you qualify. It varies from state to state so that would need to be checked out. You have to be low income, elderly, etc., and meet the other requirements of your state.

Re: Medicare

Q4u — Tue, 24 May 2016 00:21:38 GMT

@Nightowlz wrote:
@Q4u wrote:
You are eligable to get Social Security at 62 but many opt not to get in for a few years because their payments will be larger if they wait.

Medicare is a health program for Seniors and everyone is eligible at 65 (no earlier), but you have to enroll. As stated it doesn't automatically start but the eligibility to enroll starts at 65. It will cover approx 80% of health expenses and most everyone tries to get a supplemental insurance plan to cover the 20% that Medicare does not cover.

How far in advance before turning 65 do you enroll? DH is sick of working. I want him to retire at 62 because I want to move. We don't want to pay for expensive health ins until we both turn 65. When the time comes I will have to do my homework on supplemental ins.

DH was laid off in 2010 (at age 60)... we had to wait until he turns 65 to get Medicare however, he started the paperwork a few months ago, plus starting the supplemental insurance all to start the 1st of the month he turns 65, which is June. Last year it was me.... enrolled in Medicare a few months prior to my birthday (July) and it started July 1st. Also got a supplemental insurance all set up and it started on the 1st as well.

During the time in which we ran out of DH health insurance and starting Medicare has been about five years. We got coverage through Blue Cross/Shield for the interim. VERY expensive and was set to double the end of the year or next year!!

I'd say to start gathering information a few months prior to your 65th birthday, including research on supplemental plans. Good luck, it's a huge relief for us!

Re: Medicare

feline groovy — Tue, 24 May 2016 02:03:28 GMT

If you're approved for Social Security Disability at the age of 18+, you'll qualify for it a year later.

i.e., I was (blessedly) approved for SSD eleven years ago at age 42, and was (thankfully) eligible for Medicare at 43.

Haven't been able to afford a supplemental plan yet, but still hopin... ;-)

Re: Medicare

Nuttmeg — Tue, 24 May 2016 06:08:55 GMT

@Nightowlz wrote:
Don't you have to be 65 to use it? My dad thinks if DH retires at 62 he can get on Medicare. I told him if DH retires at 62 he would be without Ins for 3 yrs & I would be without for 5 yrs. Have only had health ins from the work place.

You may want to see a insurance agent. He/She could find you a health insurance policy very much like your current coverage. This needs to be done before your DH retires so you can look at all your options.

http://kff.org/

Re: Medicare

151949 — Tue, 24 May 2016 10:16:48 GMT

@feline groovy wrote:
If you're approved for Social Security Disability at the age of 18+, you'll qualify for it a year later.

i.e., I was (blessedly) approved for SSD eleven years ago at age 42, and was (thankfully) eligible for Medicare at 43.

Haven't been able to afford a supplemental plan yet, but still hopin... ;-)

It is 2 years after your disability date that you can get medicare.

Re: Medicare

nyc1 — Tue, 24 May 2016 10:43:05 GMT

If you enroll for Medicare at your 65th birthday, but still plan to work for several more years, how does that work? Do you have Medicare but are actually insured through your employer as long as you're working? Thanks.