Any Medicare / Social Security experts here?

[Boomzilla]

I do need some advice on both and having looked at the usual suspects (AARP, etc.) I am still not finding the specific information I need. I was hoping that the "gray mafia" would have a local chapter that I might approach and participate with, but they've shut down all local chapters due to the plague.

If you know the ropes and wouldn't mind sharing some knowledge, please PM me. I'd sure appreciate it. Otherwise, if you can suggest where I might look for non-ordinary info, I'd appreciate that too. The usual information I find is "if you're approaching 65, here's what you need to do." But I missed that window because my wife wanted us to wait, and now it looks like (unless Medicare considers our Blue Cross policy to be "employer provided" - I'm self employed), we may end up with outrageous penalties.

Thanks - Glenn

[klinemj]

Nov 16, 2021 14:27:57 GMT -5 Boomzilla said:

I do need some advice on both and having looked at the usual suspects (AARP, etc.) I am still not finding the specific information I need. I was hoping that the "gray mafia" would have a local chapter that I might approach and participate with, but they've shut down all local chapters due to the plague.

If you know the ropes and wouldn't mind sharing some knowledge, please PM me. I'd sure appreciate it. Otherwise, if you can suggest where I might look for non-ordinary info, I'd appreciate that too. The usual information I find is "if you're approaching 65, here's what you need to do." But I missed that window because my wife wanted us to wait, and now it looks like (unless Medicare considers our Blue Cross policy to be "employer provided" - I'm self employed), we may end up with outrageous penalties.

Thanks - Glenn

I'm not yet close to ready (turning 59 later this month), but my understanding is that people are required to sign up within a certain window. And, if they do not, their costs may be higher. That much is easy to find in various sources.

What, specifically, are you looking for that you can't find?

Mark (PS - it appears that both William Shatner and Joe Willie Namath can help, based on all the TV commercials I see them in lately!)

[klinemj]

Also, not sure if these help:

--->Click here for Part A info<---

-->Click here for Part B penalty info<---

Mark

[repeetavx]

The best money I've spent lately. This is the second year I've used them, and I'm planning on using them next year.



www.themedicarecoach.com/

[cawgijoe]

My understanding is that if you are still working and have health insurance through you or your spouse's employer, you are not penalized for not signing up at 65. You cannot contribute to an HSA if you are on medicare.

www.medicare.gov/basics/get-started-with-medicare/medicare-basics/working-past-65#:~:text=Generally%2C%20if%20you%20have%20job,insurance%20(whichever%20comes%20first).

[Couldbe]

Use the plague/co-vid excuse for your timing error, has worked for several people, I know. One as recent as last week!!!

Good luck,
Mike

[Boomzilla]

Nov 16, 2021 15:00:52 GMT -5 klinemj said:

What, specifically, are you looking for that you can't find? Mark...

Not quite so simple as "enroll late & pay penalties." - If you've been covered by your employer's insurance, the penalties don't apply. And here the briar patch becomes thick: I'm self employed & have maintained my own Blue Cross medical insurance policy since before I turned 65 (and from before my wife turned 65). Does that count as "employer's insurance" for Medicare purposes?

In the next year, I plan to "retire" and discontinue the Blue Cross medical insurance that I've had for decades. Do I need to enroll in Medicare prior to dropping my Blue Cross policy?

Is there a time window that we need to meet for initial Medicare enrollment? When does that window start & stop? I don't anticipate us ever qualifying for Medicaid, so that isn't an issue.

And probably most important of all, my wife has some health issues and currently sees specific doctors who don't accept Medicare. Do I need a supplemental medical insurance policy that will allow her to choose her doctors regardless of whether she's on Medicare or not?

Even those who work in the Medicare field find it complex...

[AudioHTIT]

I’m on both Medicare and Social Security, started both well after I retired and they’ve been smooth and helpful. My only advice is to wait until your ‘full retirement age’ before starting SS, that allows you to continue working and not risk loosing benefits. (for you that’s probably 67?)

[405x5]

No such thing as a Medicare/Social Security expert.

….At least from my own personal experience could I imagine such a thing.
That being said the process is not all that difficult as long as you make your plan around a year or so before you retire. Everyone’s needs are unique and vary greatly. Dental sucks but our medical coverage is cheaper and better thru Medicare than when under the corporate umbrella

[klinemj]

Nov 16, 2021 15:43:21 GMT -5 Boomzilla said:

Nov 16, 2021 15:00:52 GMT -5 klinemj said:

What, specifically, are you looking for that you can't find? Mark...

Not quite so simple as "enroll late & pay penalties." - If you've been covered by your employer's insurance, the penalties don't apply. And here the briar patch becomes thick: I'm self employed & have maintained my own Blue Cross medical insurance policy since before I turned 65 (and from before my wife turned 65). Does that count as "employer's insurance" for Medicare purposes?

In the next year, I plan to "retire" and discontinue the Blue Cross medical insurance that I've had for decades. Do I need to enroll in Medicare prior to dropping my Blue Cross policy?

Is there a time window that we need to meet for initial Medicare enrollment? When does that window start & stop? I don't anticipate us ever qualifying for Medicaid, so that isn't an issue.

And probably most important of all, my wife has some health issues and currently sees specific doctors who don't accept Medicare. Do I need a supplemental medical insurance policy that will allow her to choose her doctors regardless of whether she's on Medicare or not?

Even those who work in the Medicare field find it complex...

I can't speak to this directly, but...
1) I suspect the answer to "does my (self-employment) count as 'employers insurance..." will have a lot of conditions that only someone from the gub-ment can answer. I also suspect it depends a lot on how you have your self-employment set up. If you have a company/LLC that all income goes to and you pay yourself and your insurance out of the business, I suspect that's more likely to count as "covered by your employer". But, I'll search a bit to see what I find now that I know your actual question.
2) Re. your question on supplemental, I am personally planning on having supplemental. I already have a good option from my prior employer for them to have the supplements and it's a great price. I know what my Mom's medicare-only would cover if she didn't have a supplemental, and via that example - I won't go w/o it.

Mark

[klinemj]

This seems to say you should have enrolled UNLESS your "company" had more than 20 employees: -->Click Here for more<--

See the part under "Medicare when working past 65".

If an employer has 20 or more employees, generally you can choose to delay Medicare enrollment, drop your employer coverage for Medicare, or have both Medicare and employer coverage.



If an employer has fewer than 20 employees, generally you will need to enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period.


If you have health coverage through a spouse's employer, you may be able to delay or you may need to enroll at age 65. You can have both Medicare and the employer coverage. What you can do will depend on the employer's rules.

The AARP site also has a "chat now" and a phone call option.

Mark

[Boomzilla]

Mr. Kline is right.

[cgolf]

Nov 16, 2021 14:27:57 GMT -5 Boomzilla said:

I do need some advice on both and having looked at the usual suspects (AARP, etc.) I am still not finding the specific information I need. I was hoping that the "gray mafia" would have a local chapter that I might approach and participate with, but they've shut down all local chapters due to the plague.

If you know the ropes and wouldn't mind sharing some knowledge, please PM me. I'd sure appreciate it. Otherwise, if you can suggest where I might look for non-ordinary info, I'd appreciate that too. The usual information I find is "if you're approaching 65, here's what you need to do." But I missed that window because my wife wanted us to wait, and now it looks like (unless Medicare considers our Blue Cross policy to be "employer provided" - I'm self employed), we may end up with outrageous penalties.

Thanks - Glenn

Our company has an 'expert" that we used to help us navigate the medicare maze. And it is a maze. It's government!! Their expertise is medicare, not SS. I started SS at 67 and didn't wait for 70 because I was concerned about whether it would even be there at 70 or not. As it turned out, it was and still is.

I can send you their names and emails if you want. No charge to you if you use them.

[Boomzilla]

I got straightened out - thanks to all of you who helped (and you DID help).

Cordially - Glenn

[monkumonku]

Nov 18, 2021 1:58:49 GMT -5 Boomzilla said:

I got straightened out - thanks to all of you who helped (and you DID help).

Cordially - Glenn

So how do you stand with respect to obtaining Medicare? Will you be able to avoid the penalties?

[Boomzilla]

Nov 18, 2021 10:40:48 GMT -5 monkumonku said:

Nov 18, 2021 1:58:49 GMT -5 Boomzilla said:

I got straightened out - thanks to all of you who helped (and you DID help).

Cordially - Glenn

So how do you stand with respect to obtaining Medicare? Will you be able to avoid the penalties?

Nope.

[cawgijoe]

Nov 18, 2021 13:59:42 GMT -5 Boomzilla said:

Nov 18, 2021 10:40:48 GMT -5 monkumonku said:

So how do you stand with respect to obtaining Medicare? Will you be able to avoid the penalties?

Nope.

Assuming it's because of the self employment....right?

[novisnick]

If you were to give advice for someone getting near the age, what would it be? Thanks

[monkumonku]

Nov 18, 2021 13:59:42 GMT -5 Boomzilla said:

Nov 18, 2021 10:40:48 GMT -5 monkumonku said:

So how do you stand with respect to obtaining Medicare? Will you be able to avoid the penalties?

Nope.

Sorry to hear that..

[Boomzilla]

Nov 18, 2021 15:51:20 GMT -5 novisnick said:

If you were to give advice for someone getting near the age, what would it be? Thanks

Do NOT miss enrolling for Medicare at age 65! If you do, they tack on a 10% penalty to your Part B coverage forever. And that’s a PER-YEAR penalty for every year you delay. In other words, if you wait until you’re 75 to enroll, then whatever the Part B monthly premium is, you pay TWICE that every month!

Self employed with medical insurance but your company has <20 employees? You still pay the penalties.

So the one thing you MUST do is enroll for (at least) Medicare parts A & B AT AGE 65!