topic Re: A Quick Medicare & SS Question in Community Chat

A Quick Medicare & SS Question

lenapecci — Fri, 03 May 2024 12:28:10 GMT

I am in the process of applying for Medicare & SS. I had my initial call and set my phone appointment for June 12th.

I met with an agent to pick my supplement and drug plan as I am going with traditional Medicare. I made my decision on the supplemnts and the agent informed me he needs my Medicare number to get me signed up for both.

I called SS to see if I can get the Medicare number. I was told until I have my phone appointment I cannot get a number. It will take 60 days after the phone call.

The person I spoke to last night said I can apply online. I am techinically challeneged and that is why I had opted for the call.

Has anyone here applied online and was it a good experience not to difficult? I would like to give it a try tomorrow.

TIA

Re: A Quick Medicare & SS Question

fmfg — Fri, 03 May 2024 12:34:52 GMT

First of all the worst part of retiring is trying to figure out the Medcare plans. Bravo for you for figuring it out - I too went with the traditional plan - As to applying on line - I did it - i think it took me 10? minutes or so but I've worked in offices with technology for 50 years and I find it easier than a phone call. If you are having issues, I recommend doing the call to SS/Medicare and they can help you do it on line or if you prefer apply via the phone. It's whatever you feel comfortable with. I found the SS group to be most helpful, pleasant and patient when I did have to call them. Best wishes to you.

Re: A Quick Medicare & SS Question

lenapecci — Fri, 03 May 2024 12:42:30 GMT

Thank you @fmfg I appreciate the information. My last day of my employer coverage is June 30th. I will give it a go online.

It is my fault as I did not ask the right questions during my initial call. I did not know I would need a Medicare number to apply for the supplements. And I agree so far my interactions with SS have been very good. Very professional.

Re: A Quick Medicare & SS Question

Imaoldhippie — Fri, 03 May 2024 13:22:36 GMT

@lenapecci ...............Just in case you did not know your local senior citizens center has people that can help.

Re: A Quick Medicare & SS Question

Rockycoast — Fri, 03 May 2024 13:24:32 GMT

My husband filled out the requirements online. Took him all of 10-15 minutes. Very easy he said. No problems. After he filled them out and submitted, within a few days he recieved a phone call back from SS.

Re: A Quick Medicare & SS Question

ciao_bella — Fri, 03 May 2024 13:27:34 GMT

@lenapecci You've got this! You can do it! Believe in yourself!

Re: A Quick Medicare & SS Question

Meowingkitty — Fri, 03 May 2024 13:38:26 GMT

It's easy to apply online. Maybe 15 minutes. I'm tech savvy so I do everything online. I rarely want to deal with people.

Re: A Quick Medicare & SS Question

lenapecci — Fri, 03 May 2024 14:24:17 GMT

Thank you everyone so much for the advice and encouragement!
I will give a go first thing tomorrow morning. I appreciate you all!!

Re: A Quick Medicare & SS Question

CrazyDaisy — Fri, 03 May 2024 16:18:14 GMT

@lenapecci wrote:
Thank you @fmfg I appreciate the information. My last day of my employer coverage is June 30th. I will give it a go online.
It is my fault as I did not ask the right questions during my initial call. I did not know I would need a Medicare number to apply for the supplements. And I agree so far my interactions with SS have been very good. Very professional.

I just finished the process. I don't think it took that long to get your medicare number. The supplement can be put in place within a day or two. You can always pay for COBRA for a month if things get bogged down.

Re: A Quick Medicare & SS Question

conlt — Fri, 03 May 2024 17:36:47 GMT

Hi, last year, I signed up for my Medicare and Supplement Plan all on-line without an agent involved. Maybe you have a trusted person who can help you. I have not signed-up for Social Security yet but I know I can do it on the Social Security Website. Please be careful giving out your numbers. Once you sign-up for Medicare, you will receive a Medicare Card with your number on it. You should also be able to look at your Medicare number on the Medicare Website. Good luck, you can do this.

Re: A Quick Medicare & SS Question

RedTop — Fri, 03 May 2024 18:32:20 GMT

Applying online is extremely easy; the program is not complicated.

The mistake I made was waiting until late at night to apply. The server shuts down for system updates/maintenance at a certain time every night, so if you are in the process of applying, you receive a pop up message with the number of minutes left before shutdown. I hurriedly finished with just over 1 minute to spare.

Re: A Quick Medicare & SS Question

Alsace Gal — Fri, 03 May 2024 23:59:35 GMT

@Imaoldhippie wrote:
@lenapecci ...............Just in case you did not know your local senior citizens center has people that can help.

So true. When I applied for Medicare in 2015 I received help (in person) at an office where I live. They showed me how to apply and explained Medicare. I was given info to return home with. It's a lot.

Re: A Quick Medicare & SS Question

Tinkrbl44 — Sat, 04 May 2024 01:02:55 GMT

I know some will disagree with me, and this can also vary from state to state, as I've read here.

I first had traditional Medicare because I wanted to keep the doctors I had been seeing. Well, one retired, one died and another moved. Doctors gone.

After hearing about my sister's experience, I went with an Advantage plan. What a shock! It's cheaper with MD visits and prescriptions, and my two cataract surgeries were $0 co-pays. I paid nothing, nada, zip for two surgeries. (The eye drops had a charge, though, lol.)

Re: A Quick Medicare & SS Question

Alsace Gal — Sat, 04 May 2024 02:11:34 GMT

@Tinkrbl44

I have traditional Medicare and my cataracts were removed, both cost me nothing. My eye surgeon supplied his patients the meds they needed free of charge. He kept all the eye drops which pharmaceuticals reps gave him and he gave them to his patients.

I have United health care as my supplement.

Re: A Quick Medicare & SS Question

CrazyDaisy — Sat, 04 May 2024 10:07:10 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
I know some will disagree with me, and this can also vary from state to state, as I've read here.

I first had traditional Medicare because I wanted to keep the doctors I had been seeing. Well, one retired, one died and another moved. Doctors gone.

After hearing about my sister's experience, I went with an Advantage plan. What a shock! It's cheaper with MD visits and prescriptions, and my two cataract surgeries were $0 co-pays. I paid nothing, nada, zip for two surgeries. (The eye drops had a charge, though, lol.)

Working with a broker to find the best plan for you is a great advantage. As I recently found out, there are 47 different drug prescription plans in OH. Brokers have information about renewal rate increases, claims payments, deductables, co-pay, etc. Cheapest is not always the best option.

Re: A Quick Medicare & SS Question

CalminHeart — Sat, 04 May 2024 12:45:42 GMT

I set up a MyMedicare account online and never had to talk to anyone at Medicare. It was easy to set up and payments started in the month I specified. mymedicare.gov.

Re: A Quick Medicare & SS Question

CalminHeart — Sat, 04 May 2024 12:48:28 GMT

Once you set up a mymedicare account, Medicare will list all the supplemental plans available in your area. I didn't need an agent/broker or Medicare rep to do it.

Remember, all Medicare supplemental plans have to cover the same things per Medicare/U.S. government. You can pay more or you can pay less but they're all required to do the same things for each type of plan you select - Plan G is the most common these days.

Re: A Quick Medicare & SS Question

Rockycoast — Sat, 04 May 2024 14:29:11 GMT

@Tinkrbl44 wrote:
I know some will disagree with me, and this can also vary from state to state, as I've read here.

I first had traditional Medicare because I wanted to keep the doctors I had been seeing. Well, one retired, one died and another moved. Doctors gone.

After hearing about my sister's experience, I went with an Advantage plan. What a shock! It's cheaper with MD visits and prescriptions, and my two cataract surgeries were $0 co-pays. I paid nothing, nada, zip for two surgeries. (The eye drops had a charge, though, lol.)

Agreed @Tinkrbl44 . Love our Advantage plan. It covers so much, no co pays, Dental and eye care, Pages and pages of free OTC items through cvs, free Golf fees, excerise programs and more to keep you active and healthy.

Just a few weeks ago my husband cracked a tooth. Over $350 cost. All paid in full. Love our Advantage plan.

Re: A Quick Medicare & SS Question

lenapecci — Sat, 04 May 2024 14:50:12 GMT

I completed my application. I hope it is correct. I reviewed it 4 times before I hit submit.

At the end it stated May 4, 2024 as the official date of your application for SS benefits. In order to use 5/4/24 we must recieve the signed application by 11/5/2024. Do they send another form to sign or does the electronic signature count as your signed application?

I know I am overthinking this whole process. I know they will call. I have to stop worrying so much!

Again I want to thank all for the information, encouragement and support. It has been so helpful!!

Re: A Quick Medicare & SS Question

I am still oxox — Sat, 04 May 2024 15:48:24 GMT

I did mine 7 years ago and it was very cut and dry and easy to fill out. Do not be you can handle it.