Wellness

[Carmie]

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@Mindy D wrote:

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@Carmie wrote:

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@SilleeMee wrote:

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@Carmie wrote:

@SilleeMee   I am just going by what Medicare has published.  There are many people who have never worked and they are getting both Medicare Part A and Part B.

Many people are eligible for SS and Medicare  because their spouses worked and they have been married for at least 10 years.

In addition, many non US citizens have enough quarters ( 10 years)  paid in on their own to collect.

There are also many people who have worked for many, many years that have never paid a cent into Medicare or SS, so they are not eligible..most are government employees.

I don't make the rules...

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@Carmie 

Wow that sounds great....getting free health insurance without having to qualify for it. Medicare coverage is costing me hundreds, almost like a mortgage payment each month. boowhoo

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No one gets free Medicare health insurance.  Part B costs money..

anywhere from $144.60 to $491.60 a month based on your yearly income.

Medicare Supplements are expensive too. They add an additional $180 to $300 a month   To your Medicare preminum and you still pay more for RX coverage and have deductibles and copays out of pocket expenses.

I wish it was more affordable for everyone, but I don't see health insurance getting any less expensive.  If it ever becomes free health insurance for all, our taxes will sky rocket and our quality of care will go down.

I do understand your frustration and don't blame you one bit for not being thrilled with the rules.

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I think you don't pay anything is you never enroll in Part B. There is also a program to waive the $144 for very low income persons. It's on the website and I posted about this before. 

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You are correct.  If you do not choose to have Part B of Medicare, you have no coverage for any outpatient services from a doctor or hospital and no coverage for,inpatient services from a professional provider.

Part A doesn't cover very much.  Some people who are veterans refuse Pat B and go to veterans hospital.

There are programs for low income peope as you mentioned....they are part of Medicaid.

[Mindy D]

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@Dinaki wrote:

Can I ask you a question lovely people?

What is Medicare and will I get also one?

From what I read here, I must be 60 years older, I am 62, does that qualified me?

I am not an American citizen but I do have a Green Card (if that make any sense).

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@Dinaki @You should also be eligible for TRICARE or CHAMPVA. Theses not enough space here to go into this, but you are a military spouse. Look into these for medical coverage until you're 65, working or become disabled. The link below is for TRICARE.

 https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwin7N732KrrAhUJRKwKHYagDLIQ...

[SilleeMee]

@Mindy D 

I tried to get financial help with paying for my Medicare premium. First I had to apply for Medicaid only to be denied. Then I applied for other programs offered through state agencies. I did not qualify for any b/c my income over the limit. One representative told me my income falls in "the gap", she called it. That's where my income is too high to qualify for financial assistance and too low to afford descent insurance. My plan has high deductibles b/c that is the only way I can afford to pay for coverage. It stinks. I'm going to go broke paying Medicare premiums. Part A is costing me almost $500 each month and then add another $144 for Part B plus another $100 for supplemental. smileysadd:

[Dinaki]

@Mindy D Okay okay ...I see now from the link you sent me., I do have Tricare Prime, so I dont need Medicare or Medicaide (or whatever is called),  am I correct?

I also have a social security card ( they gave it to me like after few months I arrived in America)

[Nuttmeg]

@Dinaki

You may want to take any questions about Social Security direct to the agency.

You should take any insurance concerns to TriCare. 

[RedTop]

@Dinaki,

You do not apply for Medicare (health coverage) until 4 months before you turn 65.   TriCare (or ChampVA) will remind you in writing of your responsibility to do that, and you will have to submit a copy of your Medicare card to them as soon as you receive it.

It is my understanding that as long as you have been married for the required length of time, you will apply for spousal benefits under Social Security (monthly income) and Medicare.   (You can do both online quite easily, but I urge you to complete your application before midnight, as the site is taken down for nightly updating, and is unavailable after that particular time).   

Once your application is received, you will get a letter from Social Security confirming receipt.   A few days after that you may receive a call, or letters from the SS employee who is working on your application if other information is needed.   When you file under spousal benefits, your spouse will have to verify information to Social Security to continue processing the application.  

If/when your SS application is approved, you will receive a letter to that effect, with the information as to the amount of money you will be receiving and when it will be deposited to your account.   

[Financialgrl]

@Nightowlz - I turned 65 in April.  Beginning late 2019 my phone rang nonstop and mail came at least two or three times a week.  I signed up for Medicare Part A (free for me) but I pay for Part B. 

To this day (months later) I still get mail from a few Medicare Advantage plans (which I don't.  These guys are as bad as the calls saying "my car's 5 year original warranty is expired" and trying to get me to sign up for an extended plan.  There's a place near me that I've been taking my car to keep up with oil changes, brakes, etc.  

[Nuttmeg]

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@Financialgrl wrote:

@Nightowlz- I turned 65 in April.  Beginning late 2019 my phone rang nonstop and mail came at least two or three times a week.  I signed up for Medicare Part A (free for me) but I pay for Part B. 

To this day (months later) I still get mail from a few Medicare Advantage plans (which I don't.  These guys are as bad as the calls saying "my car's 5 year original warranty is expired" and trying to get me to sign up for an extended plan.  There's a place near me that I've been taking my car to keep up with oil changes, brakes, etc.  

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@Financialgrl.

An Medicare Advantage Plan and  an extended car warranty are big business.

Someone believes mature folks are not smart.