Community Chat

[this is my nic]

There was a rather lengthy discussion about Medicare yesterday. I gave my opinion, stating that I hate it. My reason being that at least one of the plans is mandatory.

Today I called the Medicare office and was given info that was contrary to what I had originally been told by an insurance rep. I was wrong, and I'm happy to admit it here. The confusing wording is what got me - you are "automatically" enrolled @ age 65. That made me think there was no way to change anything that took place automatically by the government.

However, I lost it today,when the lady from Medicare informed me that one of the plans(part A I think), is free. I said - that's impossible. She continued to let me know that it's free, I then told her - "nothing is free and someone is paying for it". She had no response to that.

I got this bit of info from the Medicare web-site:

Published 08/04/2001 12:55 AM | Updated 06/10/2009 03:23 PM

"I am retired and on Medicare. If I go back to work, will my earnings affect my Medicare eligibility? Is there a ceiling on how much I can earn and still keep Medicare?

Medicare eligibility is not based on income or resource levels. Your Medicare eligibility will not be affected by how much income you earn after retirement"

So, isn't it comforting to know that even people like Bill Gates and Oprah Winfrey can have taxpayers supporting their medical care?