Community Chat

[Cakers3]

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@sunshine45 wrote:

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@Cakers3 wrote:

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@Kachina624 wrote:

I have a Medicare Advantage Plan and don't have or use the common Medicare Card.  My insurance company issues it's own plastic card.  Not everyone will receive the red, white, and blue card.

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@Kachina624  You have a Medicare Advantage Plan but you still have Medicare.

Yes, you use the plastic Advantage Plan card instead of the Medicare card but you still have Medicare. 

I have both cards and also just use the Advantage Plan card.  Medicare sends out their cards a few months before you turn 65 with the option to decline.

You have to be enrolled in Medicare A & B in order to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan.

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@Cakers3

medicare does not just send out medicare cards a few months before you turn 65. you have to apply for it online or in person at the appropriate time. just wanted to make sure no one reads that like it is an automatic thing......it isnt.

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@sunshine45  Correction:  If you are collecting SS benefits or Railroad Benefits you will automatically receive that card 3 months before your 65th birthday.   Then you have the option to accept or decline.

If you are not getting those benefits 4 months before you turn 65 then yes, you have to sign up.

So you don't have to sign up in some cases and you do have to in other cases.

Sorry if my post was not complete. 

[Cakers3]

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@esmerelda wrote:

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You have to be enrolled in Medicare A & B in order to enroll in a Medicare Advantage Plan.

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@sunshine45 @Cakers3 I'm not sure that last bit is right either.  If you're paying for Medicare B, what's the point of an advantage plan taking you on?  Don't you pay them?  Or does the payment for your B get shuffled off to the advantage plan?

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@esmerelda  From the Medicare website:

Who can join a Medicare Advantage Plan?

You can generally join one of these Medicare Advantage plans:

• Health Maintenance Organization (HMO)
• Preferred Provider Organization (PPO)
• Private Fee-for-Service (PFFS)
• Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plan

If all of these apply:

• You live in the service area of the plan you want to join. The plan can give you more information about its service area. If you live in another state for part of the year, ask if the plan will cover you there.
• You have Medicare Part A and Part B.
• You don't have End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).

ETA:  I messed up the quote so it looks like you said the last line but it's mine.

[Cakers3]

And BTW:  I'm obtaining my info from the Medicare website.  I suggest people go there instead of questioning what is posted here.

hth

[Cats3000]

We haven't received our new cards, and we really don't care.  We get all of our healthcare through a major medical center.  They haven't asked us about the cards and we don't expect them to.

I don't know what your doctors' problems are, but you might gently remind them that you'll given them the information as soon a you receive the card.

[Hooty]

LOL, some people love to create "drama" in their life, I think it is for attention, who knows  ........  that being said, my DH & I have not received our "new" Medicare cards either, but I am sure we will eventually get them (after all it is the Federal Gvt.)!!!  My Medicare information is on file with all my Drs.!

[gmabee38]

Look, I feel for what your going through, as I have had a few experiences mysel a few years ago.

I'm not sure if you are aware of the many apps you are free to download to your cell that will automatically screen your calls giving you the opportunity to accept or decline answering them.  In addition, there are options on these apps to comment on the numbers calling you as Positive, Neutral, Negative or Unknown ratings.  With these apps you have the choice of answering the call if you choose, or reject or even block it.  Your choices are automatically "filed" for your future use.

I am an android user.   You will have choices on any platform you are associated with.

[Twins Mom]

It has always bothered me that the social security number has been so quickly asked for, held, and open to so many. Grade schools, doctors offices asked for kids numbers but when asked why, they had no reason. Doctors only needed parents medical numbers. Crazy to make cards so odd to carry.

[DJs mom]

@Twins Mom when I register my son for summer camp and aftercare each year the application asks for his SSN and every year I tell them I will not provide that to them. I see no reason at all they need his SSN. He's 9 and going to summer camp not applying for a mortgage.

[lovesrecess]

I have not even had one of my doctors offices ask for my new card and only one of them ever looked at my old one when I got it a year ago....I can't imagine why your doctor is so upset about having the new one. Perhaps you could suggest your doctors office contact Medicare on your behalf.....if they are that concerned about it...

[lovesrecess]

We tried nomorobo on both of our cell phones...we get fewer but still get too many! And I paid to have them stop