topic Re: loss of coverage after early retirement under new rules in Medicare & Insurance

loss of coverage after early retirement under new rules

TW487066 — Sat, 26 Jul 2025 23:10:38 GMT

Good Day,

I am a long time AARP member who got sick after working 40 yrs. and received a dual early retirement judgment and disability from court in 2013 (or 12). I got Medicare at the beginning and have been retired over 10 yrs. I am now 65 yrs. old.

In May, 2023, I was robbed of my Medicare card and Medigap card. I have to wait for the police investigation to end to get my card back, but old providers have honored a copy of it. I can’t get a couple of surgeries I need done without the card….so far.

I’ve been told a recalculation might result in a large increase in my benefit, but I don’t want to risk Medicare. I am retired under old rules where a person can retire at 65, but my birth year requires retirement at 67, if the new law sticks. If they can change retirement from 65 to 67, can I lose Medicare/S.S. in spite of my court judgment? If so, would a recalculation subject me to refiling for Medicare, then being thrown off due to age? I am still disabled.

Due to my economic situation, any attorney I hired would have to agree to work for a % of any settlement/recalculation I received, and those attorneys are rare.

Thanks!

Tina sweepstakes7777@yahoo.com

Re: loss of coverage after early retirement under new rules

GailL1 — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 21:51:30 GMT

@TW487066

Just ask your Medigap insurer to replace your card. You can print your Medicare card from your online Medicare account.

Medicare.gov - Your Medicare Card

You got Medicare because you were declared disabled initially. You are now 65 and your Medicare benefit will not be changed - HOWEVER the rate you pay for your Medigap plan may be lowered. You can also change Medigap plans without underwriting -

Think of it this way. Federal law DOES NOT gives those less than 65 years old too much benefit or protections when it comes to a Medigap plan. States are the ones that give any Medigap protections to those less than 65 years old and some states don’t give any at all. If your state did give you some access to a Medigap plan then you still maybe paying a mint for it.

However, when you turn 65, Federal law gives you some Medigap rights based on the age of 65. You actually get the same rules as if you were 1st signing up for a Medigap plan. You have a new initial enrollment period, no underwriting- you can pick any plan or insurer that your want. Consider it a REDO - see if you can get lower premiums now that you are 65 years old.

Medicare.gov - Medigap: Get Ready To Buy

You will not get a boost or a reduction in your SSDI benefit - SSDI is your whole (Social Security) benefit without any deduction based on whatever age you got it.

Your only added benefit is being able to pick a Medigap plan based on the age of 65 and not your disability.

When you turn your full retirement age, the name of the SS benefit that you are getting wil just change from SSDI to SS Retirement - there will be no change in the actual amount you are receiving - that will just carry on - -

Re: loss of coverage after early retirement under new rules

CBtoo — Mon, 28 Jul 2025 18:32:08 GMT

Besides what Gail said, as you found, when you are 65 you are now under the "usual" medicare rules and plans, not the ones the under 65 disabled group can have/buy. That may well change your rates as well. When you can get medicare (eg at age 65) and when you can retire will full retirement have nothing to do with each other. The rules for getting social security, ages, and percent you get has nothing to do with medicare. You will not lose your social security (although it may be switched from SSD to regular SS - I have not read up on those specific rules).

Your Medicare, if you had it earlier because you are disabled, will need to be switched to regular medicare (either original or advantage plan) when you are 65. Be sure you meet the 6 months guaranteed issue when you turned 65 (eg 3 months before and 3 after) to sign up for what you want (eg original medicare and medigap and D or advantage plan, and D for the plans that don't include that) where you don't have to pass medical underwriting. If you miss that then you have to pass medical underwriting (and there may be other state specific rules so read up on your state).

Remember that if you are getting a supplement (or some advantage plans) you will need to buy D within that time frame too or you will have a life long 10% penalty. Calling Medicare to get your questions answered would make sense.

As Gail said you can print your cards online from Medicare and from your medigap company.