Automatic Medicare?

[redhawker]

Today, in the mail, I received a medicare card from the Department of Health and Human Services. I'm 64 and become 65 in November so I was just starting to look into what I needed to do to get signed up for Medicare. If I remember right when we signed my wife up for Medicare (she's almost 3 years older than me) we had to go down to the Soc. Sec. office and do it in person. Is this something new? Is it because of COVID so they don't have to deal with people face to face? All I have to do, according to the info, is cut out the Medicare card and stick it in my wallet and start using it on the effective date. If I want part C & D I have to sign up for one of those (of course) which I will do through my retirement system (as we did with my wife).

 

[Skoopski]

If you were already currently receiving any form of social security benefits, then yes, it's automatic.

 

[Rick Courtright]

If you were already currently receiving any form of social security benefits, then yes, it's automatic.

Hi,

That's the way it was for me: signed up for SS a couple of months after turning 62. Within six months of turning 65, it took a wheelbarrow to get all the MC offers out of the maibox every day. I chose a supplemental plan that takes your MC payment each month as payment in full of your premium with them, and they took care of everything. I never had any dealings with SS on this until they sent me the MC card in a few weeks.

Rick C

 

[bearman49709]

Its automatic whether you get SS or not, my brother worked until he was 67 and he got the card about three months before he turned 65 back in 2014.

 

[bobski]

im pretty sure you must apply if you want to draw early. wife spent hours on the phone getting it all set up.

 

[Mobuck]

I started on Medicare at age 65 but wasn't drawing anything from SS. I had to go to the area office and present several things like annuity pay and tax returns. Possibly because I hadn't paid squat into SS over the years? It took quite a while for things to get sorted out--good thing I retained insurance coverage after retirement.

 

[ronto]

If you were already currently receiving any form of social security benefits, then yes, it's automatic.

It was automatic when I reached 65 also.

 

[Jimbo357mag]

The big decision is what Medicare supplement plan do you want if any. They used to have Plan A, B, C, D, F etc. You get to pick one and keep it for a year. I went with a plan F which covers everything not covered by Medicare but which is kinda expensive. The way the medical Insurance industry is organized these days you really need something. I never understand the way an insurance company can pay a small amount and that's it but if you have to pay the bill yourself it is enormous.

 

[Bull Barrel]

As I understand it you have a six month window from your birthday to apply. If you wait and the window closes you pay a penalty for every month you wait.

 

[WAYNO]

Interesting, the different perceptions and/or experiences.

I went on Social Security disability when I was 62. Without asking, I received a Medicare card in the mail, effective my next birthday.

When my wife turned 65, she received a Medicare card in the mail, effective the first day of the month she turned 65. And again, we didn't apply or ask. It was automatic.

 

[Ordguy]

My Medicare enrollment was automatic and effective on the 1st day of the month I turned 65. https://www.mymedicare.gov/ to set up account to review your coverage/claims etc.

 

[redhawker]

Thanks for the info everybody. Good to know. It just baffles me, given the replies here, that we had to jump through so many hoops 3 years ago to get my wife on it. I'm glad I won't have to, especially given the current situation. The less face to face with strangers I have to do the better.

 

[Bob Wright]

Yeah, the medical billing system is a puzzle for me. For example I get a statement such as:

"Doctor billed: $955,000.00. Medicare approved: $100.00 Medicare paid: $80.00, the remaining $20.00 is your responsibility."

Bob Wright

 

[Mobuck]

"It was automatic when I reached 65 also."

The only part that was "automatic" for me was the moderately threatening letter demanding that I make an appointment. During that meeting, I was informed of how much it was going to cost me to participate but no real choice as to if I wanted to participate.

 

[bayou5252]

I reached SS full retirement age at 66. At that time, I went to the SS office to apply for full retirement benefits. However, I was (and remain) still full time employed. I have excellent health insurance benefits through my employer.

So, when I went into the SS office to apply for SS pension payments, I was asked to apply for medicare. I explicitly stated that since I have my own private insurance, I did not wish to sign up for any medicare benefits. Not Part A (hospital) nor Part B (doctor's) nor prescription benefits. I wanted to take care of myself and that I felt that I had greater medical choices under my private insurance than under medicare.

The SS CS rep was stumped and said no one had ever told him that before. So, he left the counter to have a consult with his supervisor. After about 15 minutes, the CS rep came back and said that if I wanted to apply for SS pension benefits, then enrollment in medicare Part A was required (at no additional cost over what was paid from salary deductions) but that medicare Part B (for which there is a new and additional monthly charge) could be rejected.

So, I rejected medicare Part B and continue to rely solely on my private employer-based health insurance. Monthly SS retirement benefits get paid regularly.

Bayou

 

[Danjet500]

I reached SS full retirement age at 66. At that time, I went to the SS office to apply for full retirement benefits. However, I was (and remain) still full time employed. I have excellent health insurance benefits through my employer.

So, when I went into the SS office to apply for SS pension payments, I was asked to apply for medicare. I explicitly stated that since I have my own private insurance, I did not wish to sign up for any medicare benefits. Not Part A (hospital) nor Part B (doctor's) nor prescription benefits. I wanted to take care of myself and that I felt that I had greater medical choices under my private insurance than under medicare.

The SS CS rep was stumped and said no one had ever told him that before. So, he left the counter to have a consult with his supervisor. After about 15 minutes, the CS rep came back and said that if I wanted to apply for SS pension benefits, then enrollment in medicare Part A was required (at no additional cost over what was paid from salary deductions) but that medicare Part B (for which there is a new and additional monthly charge) could be rejected.

So, I rejected medicare Part B and continue to rely solely on my private employer-based health insurance. Monthly SS retirement benefits get paid regularly.

Bayou

This is similar to my situation. I retired at 65. I was told you have a 6 month window to enroll for Medicare, 3 months prior and 3 months after your birthdate. When I signed up for my SS I was also prompted to enroll for Medicare. I took the part A but declined any other coverage since I went on my wife's insurance with her employer. I had to make a choice to either accept or decline Part B, C or D. I declined all but I still am covered under Part A. If you don't make a decison, you may have to pay a penalty later when or if you do sign up for it.

 

[DeletedMember275]

I just applied for Medicare a few months ago. Even though I am currently working overseas and cannot use Medicare, I am required to sign up for it. It was fairly painless, although I did have to get a document notarized and mail it in.

 

[Taterman]

This is similar to my situation. I retired at 65. I was told you have a 6 month window to enroll for Medicare, 3 months prior and 3 months after your birthdate. When I signed up for my SS I was also prompted to enroll for Medicare. I took the part A but declined any other coverage since I went on my wife's insurance with her employer. I had to make a choice to either accept or decline Part B, C or D. I declined all but I still am covered under Part A. If you don't make a decison, you may have to pay a penalty later when or if you do sign up for it.

That's what I was told as well.

 

[Paul B]

I have medicare part A but my own health insurance. I pay half the premium (automatic deduction from retirement check) and the government pays the rest. My wife was also covered until she passed. I could drop it now and go with the VA but I've heard too many horror stories to go that route. Plain and simple I'm happy where I'm at.
Paul B.