Speaking of turning 65

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

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,

Leeny · ‎06-24-2011

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

Mlsg · ‎07-29-2015

@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 .

Catty2 · ‎09-06-2014

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.

meem120 · ‎03-09-2010

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.

homedecor1 · ‎03-09-2010

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.

visrn · ‎06-15-2010

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.

Nuttmeg · ‎03-09-2010

@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

Moonchilde · ‎05-23-2010

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.

Life without Mexican food is no life at all

BalletBabe · ‎03-05-2011

@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