topic Re: Speaking of turning 65 in Among Friends

Speaking of turning 65

chrystaltree — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 20:14:31 GMT

Perhaps someone here knows the answer to this, I don't. I chatted with a friend at church the other night, she's turning 66 in February. She still works full time and has health insurance through her employer, she has no plans to retire any time soon. She was asking about Medicare. I know all about health insurance but nothing about Medicare. She will collect her SSA beneft at 66 but she does not want Part B of Medicare now. She doesn't want to pay the $$ premium for coverage she'll never use. She said there is penalty for not signing up now but she doesn't know how much that penalty will be. Anyone know anything about this? I did suggest that she call SSA but she has me wondering,

Re: Speaking of turning 65

Leeny — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 20:22:32 GMT

When You turn 65 it is mandatory to take Medicare. Even if your friend doesn't take her social security at 65.

Re: Speaking of turning 65

Mlsg — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 20:26:43 GMT

@chrystaltree wrote:
Perhaps someone here knows the answer to this, I don't. I chatted with a friend at church the other night, she's turning 66 in February. She still works full time and has health insurance through her employer, she has no plans to retire any time soon. She was asking about Medicare. I know all about health insurance but nothing about Medicare. She will collect her SSA beneft at 66 but she does not want Part B of Medicare now. She doesn't want to pay the $$ premium for coverage she'll never use. She said there is penalty for not signing up now but she doesn't know how much that penalty will be. Anyone know anything about this? I did suggest that she call SSA but she has me wondering,

Yes , I know I have the same situation , live in CA. She just need to apply Medicare part A (hospital) , this is free for her and that it , no any penalty, she can keep her insurance.

i just did this 6 month ago.When she will stop working she need to make a call to SSA office and they will make a change per her request . But she need to apply part A because they check all info , fix what need to fix if need it and everything will be ready for her when her situation will change. I hope it's help at list this is my experience .

Re: Speaking of turning 65

Catty2 — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 20:29:15 GMT

I continued working for a few months before retiring at 65. When I turned 65 Medicare became my primary insurance and my employer's insurance was secondary.

Re: Speaking of turning 65

meem120 — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 20:29:55 GMT

You must take Medicare at age 65, its mandatory. She can use her employers insurance as her supplemental, Medigap, insurance, till she decides to retire. Its not a problem at all to do it that way. She just needs to notify Medicare which insurance she will you as her primary insurance.

Re: Speaking of turning 65

homedecor1 — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 20:32:18 GMT

my husband took SS at 62 when turned 65 Medicare was automatically taken (can't decline) BUT 6 months prior he received info from his employer (retired) about his Medicare.

He was issued a new medical card including his Medicare eligibility. Of course, we pay no premiums for our coverage issued thru work & he receives 100% Medicare reimbursement in the form of a check at the end of the year.

Re: Speaking of turning 65

visrn — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 20:39:29 GMT

Within 3 months, either side of your 65th birthday, you have to apply for Medicare part a, which is free. If you are still employed you can delay applying for Medicare part b u till you retire with no penalty. At least, that is my understanding. As with all internet advice, verify the accuracy for yourself.

Re: Speaking of turning 65

Nuttmeg — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 20:40:40 GMT

@Leeny wrote:
When You turn 65 it is mandatory to take Medicare. Even if your friend doesn't take her social security at 65.

Your friend needs to contact her health insurance company, about signing up for Medicare, ASAP. If she fails to sign up at the correct time she could possible have to pay a permanent penalty.

http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-healthcare-watch-20150427-story.html

Re: Speaking of turning 65

Moonchilde — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 21:01:49 GMT

As many have said, it's only Part A that must be signed up for at age 65, or there will be a penalty. I continued to work until 66-1/2, and my work insurance covered me for Part B-type insurance. Right before retirement I started the ball rolling for Part B and Part D (prescription) coverage so it was effective upon my retirement date.

If you get a Medicare Advantage plan it will include Part D prescription insurance within the coverage and you won't need to sign up separately.

However, anyone who has Medicare Supplement insurance (not MA) HAS to sign up for Part D as soon as they're eligible and not otherwise insured outside of Medicare, or they WILL pay a PERMANENT YEARLY penalty forever after that increases each year they don't sign up. It's not chump change. You don't want this to happen.

Re: Speaking of turning 65

BalletBabe — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 21:07:48 GMT

@Moonchilde wrote:
As many have said, it's only Part A that must be signed up for at age 65, or there will be a penalty. I continued to work until 66-1/2, and my work insurance covered me for Part B-type insurance. Right before retirement I started the ball rolling for Part B and Part D (prescription) coverage so it was effective upon my retirement date.

If you get a Medicare Advantage plan it will include Part D prescription insurance within the coverage and you won't need to sign up separately.

However, anyone who has Medicare Supplement insurance (not MA) HAS to sign up for Part D as soon as they're eligible and not otherwise insured outside of Medicare, or they WILL pay a PERMANENT YEARLY penalty forever after that increases each year they don't sign up. It's not chump change. You don't want this to happen.

What a stupid rule. if you don't sign up you get punished. A free country? NOT

Re: Speaking of turning 65

chrystaltree — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 21:21:01 GMT

Thanks, ladies. I don't have an answer but at least now I know why she was so confused. I did tell her to call SSA and I hope she does. She didn't apply for Medicare when she was 65, I suppose she should have but I think the penalty she was talking about was for Part B. Which she does not need or want until she retires in a few years . Rules change over time but hubby and I will struggling with the same issue ourselves in 9 or 10 years.

Re: Speaking of turning 65

hckynut — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 21:22:34 GMT

@Lsk wrote:

Yes , I know I have the same situation , live in CA. She just need to apply Medicare part A (hospital) , this is free for her and that it , no any penalty, she can keep her insurance.
i just did this 6 month ago.When she will stop working she need to make a call to SSA office and they will make a change per her request . But she need to apply part A because they check all info , fix what need to fix if need it and everything will be ready for her when her situation will change. I hope it's help at list this is my experience .

@Mlsg

The biggest part of my many health issues are the hospital, not doctors and others. You say "Medicare Part A (hospital is free)? Seems strange that I am paying $110 amonth and most of it is hospital.

I would love to think that is possible, but something doesn't seem right about that to me. Not an expert, but my wife is, and I will see what she knows about that one. Free?

hckynut(john)

Re: Speaking of turning 65

Jaspersmom — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 21:51:16 GMT

@BalletBabe wrote:
@Moonchilde wrote:
As many have said, it's only Part A that must be signed up for at age 65, or there will be a penalty. I continued to work until 66-1/2, and my work insurance covered me for Part B-type insurance. Right before retirement I started the ball rolling for Part B and Part D (prescription) coverage so it was effective upon my retirement date.

If you get a Medicare Advantage plan it will include Part D prescription insurance within the coverage and you won't need to sign up separately.

However, anyone who has Medicare Supplement insurance (not MA) HAS to sign up for Part D as soon as they're eligible and not otherwise insured outside of Medicare, or they WILL pay a PERMANENT YEARLY penalty forever after that increases each year they don't sign up. It's not chump change. You don't want this to happen.
What a stupid rule. if you don't sign up you get punished. A free country? NOT.

As per AARP: Nobody is obliged to sign up for Medicare. But there are important consequences if you don't meet your enrollment deadline and then decide to join the program later. As many have learned the hard way — better to sign up at the right time than regret it later. Your own deadline depends on which enrollment period fits your circumstances:

Re: Speaking of turning 65

millieshops — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 21:52:58 GMT

@BalletBabeI don't think the rule is entirely stupid. You're free not to sign up during the years you don't want the coverage, and I'm free to have you pay the penalty instead of partcipating in the insurance. Insurance of any kind works only when the pool of insured represents as close to the whole of the benefit population as possible.

I would be one of those who would have benefitted from not buying B or D for the first ten years of my Medicare life, It would have been cheaper for me to pay my own way. Now? Forget it - I need those insurances and benefit from them. How neat would it be if I could just have signed up this year with no penalty for freeloading for 10 years. I suspect someone designing the rule thought of people like me.

Re: Speaking of turning 65

Mlsg — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 22:42:13 GMT

@hckynut wrote:
@Lsk wrote:

Yes , I know I have the same situation , live in CA. She just need to apply Medicare part A (hospital) , this is free for her and that it , no any penalty, she can keep her insurance.
i just did this 6 month ago.When she will stop working she need to make a call to SSA office and they will make a change per her request . But she need to apply part A because they check all info , fix what need to fix if need it and everything will be ready for her when her situation will change. I hope it's help at list this is my experience .

@Mlsg

The biggest part of my many health issues are the hospital, not doctors and others. You say "Medicare Part A (hospital is free)? Seems strange that I am paying $110 amonth and most of it is hospital.

I would love to think that is possible, but something doesn't seem right about that to me. Not an expert, but my wife is, and I will see what she knows about that one. Free?

hckynut(john)

@hckynut Hello. May be I was not clear. Let me tell about my experience as if today. I am 651/2 years old and continue to work and still have my insurance which I do co-pay every month thru my paycheck so for now I don't need MEdicare part B.

When I turned 65. I made an appoitment to SSA office and there I applied for part A and also they checked and fixed all my info in the file (updated) .

I don't pay for this part A I don't think if I will need to go to hospital it's everything will be covered by this part A. actually I don't think so but on monthly basis I don't pay

If I will stop working I need to apply for part B and this is can be Kaiser hospital close to HMO . In this case I need to pay monthly $123 or so and co-pay like $5 .

if I want to keep my doctors I need to go with supplemental part B , which has too some different options . In this case I will need to pay for general Medicare $123 plus cost supplemental whatever I will choise plus part D .

This is how it's working in CA . I am not sure if it's the same in different states.

i hope it's helps.

Re: Speaking of turning 65

Mlsg — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 22:54:26 GMT

@Lsk wrote:
@hckynut wrote:
@Lsk wrote:

Yes , I know I have the same situation , live in CA. She just need to apply Medicare part A (hospital) , this is free for her and that it , no any penalty, she can keep her insurance.
i just did this 6 month ago.When she will stop working she need to make a call to SSA office and they will make a change per her request . But she need to apply part A because they check all info , fix what need to fix if need it and everything will be ready for her when her situation will change. I hope it's help at list this is my experience .

@Mlsg

The biggest part of my many health issues are the hospital, not doctors and others. You say "Medicare Part A (hospital is free)? Seems strange that I am paying $110 amonth and most of it is hospital.

I would love to think that is possible, but something doesn't seem right about that to me. Not an expert, but my wife is, and I will see what she knows about that one. Free?

hckynut(john)

@hckynut Hello. May be I was not clear. Let me tell about my experience as if today. I am 651/2 years old and continue to work and still have my insurance which I do co-pay every month thru my paycheck so for now I don't need MEdicare part B.
When I turned 65. I made an appoitment to SSA office and there I applied for part A and also they checked and fixed all my info in the file (updated) .
I don't pay for this part A I don't think if I will need to go to hospital it's everything will be covered by this part A. actually I don't think so but on monthly basis I don't pay
If I will stop working I need to apply for part B and this is can be Kaiser hospital close to HMO . In this case I need to pay monthly $123 or so and co-pay like $5 .
if I want to keep my doctors I need to go with supplemental part B , which has too some different options . In this case I will need to pay for general Medicare $123 plus cost supplemental whatever I will choise plus part D .
This is how it's working in CA . I am not sure if it's the same in different states.
i hope it's helps.
One more thing. I see the info in the post #7 .

Have a great day everybody!

Re: Speaking of turning 65

lizzief — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 23:11:59 GMT

I am 66, still working full-time and have health insurance through my husband's employer - so here's the scoop from what I did. At 65 you should sign up for Medicare Part A, the hospital coverage. You can do it three months prior to turning 65, and three months after. If you don't, there will be a penalty when you finally sign up - I think they reduce your monthly Social Security, so you don't want that! You sign up online. You can keep and still use your present health insurance coverage. Part A doesn't cost anything. If you are going to be in the hospital, tell them you have Part A AND a group policy, they will sort it out.

At 66 you can begin to take your social security without a penalty and still work part-time. I am doing that now, there's not that much difference in the monthly benefit if you wait, and it's my money! Just be sure to ask for withholding to be taken out, as you will be taxed on it. Everybody's financial situation is different of course. Sign up online 3 mos prior, the first payment comes one month after 66.

When you decide to stop working, you'll want to sign up for Medicare B, you don't have to wait for the annual open enrollment in the fall, as long as you are currently enrolled in a group plan. You will also want a supplemental plan - that's where the fun starts. There are many plans to sort through, just as with regular insurance. They all pay for the 20% that Part B doesn't cover. There are a number of publications you can get from SS that describe all of them. Part D is a separate drug plan. There are Advantage plans that combine everything, I am frankly suspect about them because all the agents try to push them! By the way, Part B is about $144/mo and the supplemental is additional, and depends on which plan and benefits you choose.

It's all very complicated, but if you read, read, read, it begins to make sense! If you have questions, call or go to, Social Security, they are very helpful and will give you the information you need for your own situation. Good luck!

Re: Speaking of turning 65

BalletBabe — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 23:38:50 GMT

@millieshops wrote:
@BalletBabeI don't think the rule is entirely stupid. You're free not to sign up during the years you don't want the coverage, and I'm free to have you pay the penalty instead of partcipating in the insurance. Insurance of any kind works only when the pool of insured represents as close to the whole of the benefit population as possible.

I would be one of those who would have benefitted from not buying B or D for the first ten years of my Medicare life, It would have been cheaper for me to pay my own way. Now? Forget it - I need those insurances and benefit from them. How neat would it be if I could just have signed up this year with no penalty for freeloading for 10 years. I suspect someone designing the rule thought of people like me.

I guess I am not understanding this. So if a person can afford to buy their own insurance and don't want Medicare, that is against the law? I would think if you don't want Medicare at that age, it would benifit the program?

Re: Speaking of turning 65

BalletBabe — Mon, 26 Dec 2016 23:42:31 GMT

@lizzief wrote:
I am 66, still working full-time and have health insurance through my husband's employer - so here's the scoop from what I did. At 65 you should sign up for Medicare Part A, the hospital coverage. You can do it three months prior to turning 65, and three months after. If you don't, there will be a penalty when you finally sign up - I think they reduce your monthly Social Security, so you don't want that! You sign up online. You can keep and still use your present health insurance coverage. Part A doesn't cost anything. If you are going to be in the hospital, tell them you have Part A AND a group policy, they will sort it out.

At 66 you can begin to take your social security without a penalty and still work part-time. I am doing that now, there's not that much difference in the monthly benefit if you wait, and it's my money! Just be sure to ask for withholding to be taken out, as you will be taxed on it. Everybody's financial situation is different of course. Sign up online 3 mos prior, the first payment comes one month after 66.

When you decide to stop working, you'll want to sign up for Medicare B, you don't have to wait for the annual open enrollment in the fall, as long as you are currently enrolled in a group plan. You will also want a supplemental plan - that's where the fun starts. There are many plans to sort through, just as with regular insurance. They all pay for the 20% that Part B doesn't cover. There are a number of publications you can get from SS that describe all of them. Part D is a separate drug plan. There are Advantage plans that combine everything, I am frankly suspect about them because all the agents try to push them! By the way, Part B is about $144/mo and the supplemental is additional, and depends on which plan and benefits you choose.

It's all very complicated, but if you read, read, read, it begins to make sense! If you have questions, call or go to, Social Security, they are very helpful and will give you the information you need for your own situation. Good luck!

I have been told to stay away from advantage plans because a lot of Dr's don't accept them. I was told if you like your Dr then you need to find out what they accept.

Re: Speaking of turning 65

151949 — Tue, 27 Dec 2016 00:38:51 GMT

I am pretty certain you are only required to sign up for the part A which is free, and don't have to sign up for part B until you actually retire.You can check it at medicare .gov for sure.