- Thread starter LindseyKaufman
- Start date
Let's talk health insurance!
Medicare part A is free (hospitalization), you can waive part B as you won't have a need for it. It may be better to have part A and never need it, than need it and not have it.
Is part A automatic? Do I have to opt in? I just did the new sign in for the website and says my DR phone doesn't work for sign-in options. Pain in the butt. I don't have another phone. Then after 3 tried it locked me out for a few hours. Will try again today. I just get so confused about all the stuff. Anyhow, at least I have the free Senesa insurance here.
True, but Part B is also automatic unless you opt out by calling or signing what they send you........You can call SS at 1 (800) 772-1213. But you need Magic Jack or similar to reach them.............
Bingo! I know I'll never need it,(Veteran with free VA Care) but I just went with the flow.
Medicare coverage when living abroad - Medicare Interactive
Decisions about Medicare enrollment can be complicated if you live outside the United States. Living outside the U.S. means you do not live in […]
www.medicareinteractive.org
As you have pointed out before Medicare is a maze and IS confusing. Make the wrong choice and you go bye bye.
This might help a bit re "part B".
Jan, there is one thing you should know about Part B.
Even though it is optional (or was when I reached that age), if you decide later that you do want it, there is a penalty attatched. It isn't imposed if you can prove that you had equivalent insurance in place.
If you will never return to the US, it won't happen to you, but you should know about the possibility.
Even though it is optional (or was when I reached that age), if you decide later that you do want it, there is a penalty attatched. It isn't imposed if you can prove that you had equivalent insurance in place.
If you will never return to the US, it won't happen to you, but you should know about the possibility.
The standard part B premium right now is $175/mo. If you don't enroll now and want it later, you'll have to pay a 10% penalty for every year you didn't have it. So, if 10 years later you decide you want it, you'll pay 100% more(double) every month. It's not a one-time penalty. You really need to carefully think about it.
It may be different now but when I turned 65 they sent a form explaining Medicare and there was a box to check and mail back if you did not want it. If I were you I would call and inquire before you turn 65................... I just found this at the bottom. So it looks like they will deduct it from SS as with me.
You'll automatically get Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) when you turn 65. You'll still need to make important decisions about your coverage, like whether you need to add drug coverage
Bingo!
And that is exactly why I opted in. I've paid premiums for almost 4 years now and never used it. But none of us know what the future holds so it's there in case of an emergency.
I didn't opt in because my former employer is contractually required to pay for my health insurance for the rest of my life. That coverage is free and much better than Part B.
Since Part A is free, hospital coverage is no longer included except for emergency hospitalization out of the US and coverage of the thousand dollar deductible for first hospitalization each year.
I won't be returning to USA. I have no place to return to. So I guess I have to call and take care of this. Always something. A big pain in my buttox. Thanks all for all the info.
Someone may correct me on this because my memory is faulty as an old fart, but I thought you don't have to call anyone on the initial sign up. All you have to do is decline part B. You'll probably get 47 warnings about it, but I'm almost positive that's how it went for me, except for course I accepted it.
Have you received your medicare enrollment package yet?
https://www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/sign-up/ready-to-sign-up-for-part-a-part-b