Looking for Info on Medicare

Hi MP:
The more you dive into information on this subject,the more angered you'll become. There was recently another cut in medicare. Pathetically, benefits for our elderly and our children are the first targets our state goes after,when they want to lower the deficit.Its disturbing,that they continue to go after those who are less able to defend themselves,or have no voice at all. we not only need to be concerned about our parents,but less we forget,we all will eventually be in their shoes.Our politicians don't think twice,as they will be receiving a handsome pension,for the remainder of their lives.Now that I've got that off my back,I'll tell you,that if your dad and mom,are receiving a pension,and they have a good health Insurance,they would be better off,refraining from using medicare for anything.The reason I say this, is because if they rely on medicare,then when they pass away,medicare will absorb what ever amount they claim they paid out to your parents,from their Estate.If your folks are anything like my mother,They most likely don't want their assets tied up in probate,for years. My mother doesn't want what little inheritance she wishes to leave us kids,dissolved by the state. If for some reason,your parents lose their pension or insurance and have absorbed all their savings,then would be the time to ask for assistance from medicare. I have an elderly mother,and this is the info I received. Maybe someone who works for the state can enlighten us with more info .I hope this helped.I wish you the best. J. M

I asked my boss who is very familiar with these circumstances..Here is her advice...

2 months before your dad turns 65 go with him (he may need your support to understand what they may tell him) to the social security office, to activate Medi-care Part A. He will get information about the exact amount of his social security checks and how he will want to recieve his checks via direct deposit or manual and where he should get his check sent. He will need the following items Social security card, ID card, bank statement and direct deposit information(if that is the route he wants to do)..
In regards to medi-care part B have the social security office automatically deduct his premium out of his social secuirty checks so he doesnt have to worry about paying it on his own.

On your dads HMO you should make it their primary insurance because that insurance covers/includes your moms benefits and the medi-care make it their secondary insurance.

I hope this helps you....

Hi MP.

Okay so here is the scoop. First, your father is in what we call the initial enrollment period. He can file for Medicare anytime 3 months before age 65, the month of age 65 or 3 months after age 65 and not get hit with any penalties. Filing anytime after that can cause a penalty to be assesed. 10% more for every year he didnt take it when he should have, and he would have to wait for the General Enrollment period which falls every year in Jan, Feb and Mar, but wont have the insurance until July of that year, so its in his best interest to file in his Initial period. Typically the cost for Part B is 96.40 a month, but based on new Medicare Laws, he may have to pay a little more, but it depends on his overall income. You are correct, his Part a Hospital should be free as long as he is insured for benefits. He does have the option of staying with this company for the added supplement, but there are cheaper Medigaps out there. Supplements, like Secure horizons, Kaiser, Blue Cross/Blue Shield etc... Of course, your mother or your sister would not be covered. Do not mistake Medi-Cal/Medicaid with Medicare, they are two totally different insurances. Medi-cal/Medicaid is state funded and state run while Medicare if federal. Medicare now offers Medicare Part D which covers some prescription medicines. You should speak to his pharmacist about Part D. Since your father is now Retired, any other type of insurance he gets is secondary to Medicare. Medicare is his primary provider and Medicare coveres 80% of the approved cost for Hospitalization (part a) and doctors visits (part b). Supplements usually cover the rest. Oh by the way I work for Social Security so this is how I know this. If you have any other questions, let me know and i will try and answer them for you. We have a great website that you can go into and look up information on Medicare. SSA.gov

Hope this info helped. I know there are a lot of people out there that have their own opinion on the subject and have had their on experiences, but its always a good idea to go straight to the source. :0)

V

Hi M P, I am a financial advisor, if you Dad and Mom want to come in and talk about a plan I would be glad to meet with them. My office is in Manhattan Beach. If you are close call me, ###-###-####. There are alot of moving parts in a retirement plan as you can see.
otherwise make an appointment with the social security
or go online. I won't charge them a fee. one hour for free. D.

I'm not sure where you live but there is a wonderful man that will meet with Seniors and help guide them through this mess. I met with him for myself and for my 90 year old mom and he truly made the whole thing much clearer. His name is Forrest Barker and he meets with Seniors by appointment at the Burbank Joslyn Adult Center at 1301 W. Olive Avenue in Burbank, ###-###-####. You can call the center and make the appointment for your Dad and go with him or he could go alone. He's definitely still young enough to understand it all but 2 listening helps alot. The Social Security office is just across the street from Joslyn if you have more questions. Good Luck, they sure try to make it difficult for all of us to understand.

Hi...

First I too provide child care and have been successfully in business almost 25 years!..
Your Dad needs to go and sign up..and he should do it NOW. If he waits it will cost more. I'm sure he is entitled to Social Security...or perhaps he is already getting it..but you can only get Medicare at 65 and I think it's wonderful. My husband is older than I....and he has Secure Horizons and his medical coverage is far better than mine. He is basically healthy...but had a bout with Prostate Cancer. He is fully cured and his hospital bills et al were fully covered except perhaps for a small 100.00 co pay. His meidcations are covered...blood pressure etc. He should go down and speak with them. They are very nice..and he does not want to miss the benefits. The cost is relatively small..about 80.00 a month..so check it out.
Good Luck to you
V.

Here's some info on some dental and medical benefits program. There is a great prescription program if your dad or anyone you know pays more than $90 on prescription.

www.mybenefitsplus.com/M.

I don't have the answers, BUT! Both my father and Father in law have medicare. and you need to have supplemental insurance. My dad did lots of research, my father in law none, and the coverage they get is very different. I'd schedule an appt w/ what ever gov't agency helps w/ those decisions. I know it is crazy the amount of work it takes to figure it all out.

My husband turns 65 in August and I am two years behind and we are in exactly the same position as your parents. My husband also will be getting a supplemental insurance package from the company he retired from and I will be getting coverage on that plan also and yes, it is only slightly cheaper than before he hit Medicare. The cost will be reduced significantly when your Mom also reaches 65. The one caution we received from his place of retirement was to be sure NOT to sign up for any prescription plan (Plan D) because that would impact his ability to enroll in the company-sponsored plan (Kaiser, in our case). There are several "senior" organizations (check in your local community) in the area that can answer questions about Medicare and there may be someone at the Company where your father worked (a Benefits person) who can answer questions. There have been a couple of free seminars offered in the newspaper for anyone entering Medicare and although it may include sitting through a sales pitch or two, there may be some valuable information available. AARP is also a wonderful source of information and they have a website. All of the paperwork is intimidating and it looks really confusing at first, but it sounds like you are on the right track. And congratulations to your Dad!!! We've found that retirement is truly wonderful.

I am not an expert but I have taken care of my mother-in-law's doctor's visits and billing. As a general rule, once you are eligible for Medicare the existing insurance becomes the secondary carrier that pays after Medicare. The other thing is that you need to make sure you sign up in the right time frame because if you wait then the monthly payments increase. Good luck.