🩺 Any Medicare TIPS To Share? Are YOU Signing Up THIS YEAR?

[Spring2023]

▶️To reply, click on reply button at bottom of this post. Enter your text. Click reply button again.◀️

*READ comments &/or ADD a comment*

(1) ☹️ What has made it DIFFICULT to use?

(2) 🙃 What has made it EASY to use?

(3) 😉 Anything else YOU want to SHARE with us!

Thanks, Nicole 🩺 (Medicare Forum)

[Spring2023]

*READ comments &/or ADD a comment*

(1) ☹️ What has made it DIFFICULT to use?

(2) 🙃 What has made it EASY to use?

(3) 😉 Anything else YOU want to SHARE with us!

Thanks, Nicole 🩺 (Medicare Forum)

[Spring2023]

🩺 Joining a plan | Medicare.

To JOIN a Medicare health plan, you generally must:

(1) HAVE Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance).

(2) LIVE in the service area of the plan you want to join. 

(3) Be a U.S. CITIZEN or LAWFULLY present in the U.S.

(4) Have your Medicare NUMBER and your Part A and/or Part B coverage start dates.

👉Link to information👈 

🗣A federal government website managed and paid for by the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. 7500 Security Boulevard, Baltimore, MD 21244.

[Spring2023]

(Tuesday 5/30/23)

Finally got a "callback" from LOA (local office of aging).

You get the "very annoying" automated answering system EVERY time. Lol, takes "forever" to get to point of leaving a message.

But GRATEFUL they are OPEN again! 💃🥳

I see them June 13, 2023 10am EST.

I figured ALL the "need to be on my bumper" will be home or at work. Mondays crazy. And before 10am. 😱

Me and my Old Lady (2006 Hyundai Elantra) want to make it to our destination SAFELY. 🙏

Anyway, asked the lady what I needed to bring besides my Part A & B membership card.

A list of my meds with milligrams.

Nicole 🙃

[Spring2023]

PART A AND B MEMBER CARD HAS ARRIVED.

(Thursday 5/25/23)

Well, just came back from my mailbox. Envelope has been in box about a week per Post Office email.

So TOMORROW I am calling my local LOA (local office of aging) IF they are open.

Nicole 🙃

[Spring2023]

(Wednesday 5/17/23)

Received my 3rd email TODAY from MEDICARE. Great that they are providing this. Anyone signed up? 🤔 I would luv to hear about YOUR Medicare Journey. Nicole 🙃

▶️It's just as important to take care of your mental health as it is to take care of your physical health. 

Medicare covers a number of services to support you, including outpatient mental health services like depression screening, individual and group psychotherapy, and family counseling. You may be able to access many of these services via telehealth.

Learn More

Get more tips on caring for your mental health, and information on when to seek professional help.

Sincerely,

The Medicare Team◀️

[Spring2023]

(Monday 5/15/23)

When my cards for MEDICARE Part A and B arrive, I will be able to set up an appointment with LOA (local office of aging).

Those should arrive NEXT month (June).

I would luv to hear about your MEDICARE JOURNEY!

Nicole 🙃

[Spring2023]

3 comments (4/21/23)

Received my CONFIRMATION EMAIL from Medicare Website.

➡️Welcome! Thanks for signing up for Medicare emails.⬅️

Had signed up YESTERDAY when I received the Medicare email from my Retirement Social Security Online Account.

Things are beginning to fall in place....

Nicole 🙃

[GailL1]

@Spring2023 

Don’t forget to assign somebody as your health representative on your Medicare account so if the need ever arises when you can’t communicate to Medicare, they can do it for you 

On another note - on your SSA account you can also assign somebody to be your representative payee if the need ever arises - cause if it does happen, if nobody steps up with all the paperwork, SSA could appoint one for you - most likely an institution.

[Spring2023]

1 comment (4/21/23)

Thanks @GailL1 , my daughter is for my Retirement Social Security. Will do same for Medicare. Lol, my "only" child and on ALL my stuff from bank to will and so on.

Nicole 🙃

[cat0w]

@Spring2023 

You are not alone. I have one daughter too and she is my emergency contact and by my will she takes care of everything if something should happen to me.

[Spring2023]

4 comments (4/20/23)

I just received my 1st EMAIL from MY ONLINE Social Security Account (receiving Retirement Social Security).

So, stuff begins 5 MONTHS before we turn 65 (which I do this September).

➡️THE EMAIL:

What You Should Know about Your Medicare Coverage Now.

NICOLE,

Your Medicare coverage will start soon. Keep an eye out for your "Get Ready for Medicare" package in the mail, which includes your red, white, and blue Medicare card. 

You'll automatically get Medicare when you turn 65. You still need to make decisions now about how you want to get your Medicare coverage. Medicare offers two main ways to get your coverage: Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage.⬅️

Lol, MORE stuff to read...... But so EXCITED to get this info BEFORE my planned EARLY sign-up (3 months early) at my local Office Of Aging this June.

Nicole 🙃

[cat0w]

@Spring2023 

Your reply said, "You'll automatically get Medicare when you turn 65. You still need to make decisions now about how you want to get your Medicare coverage. Medicare offers two main ways to get your coverage: Original Medicare or Medicare Advantage.".

Now you should start receiving information from several insurance companies that offer additional coverage. At the time I was about to be covered by Medicare I was still on my Citys insurance (Retirees Plan). I am a retired firefighter. The insurance was known at that time as Scott and White. I received a letter from Scott and White about their Medicare Advantage plan and when and where meetings would be held to learn more. I attended a meeting and received information about the cost. It turned out I could get their Medicare Advantage plan and the plan I wanted plus the Medicare part would be less than what I was currently paying under my city plan. I have been with Baylor Scott and White now for nine years. 

My total cost for Medicare and my advantage plan have gone down a small amount in each of the last two years.

[GailL1]

@Spring2023 

If you are already receiving your Social Security Retirement, which I thought you said you were *early benefit” , then you shouldn’t have to do anything - you will be signed up automatically and you should get your booklet of “Medicare and You 2023” and your Red white and Blue Medicare card indicating the effective date of your Part A & B coverage. (Normally 1st of your birthday month).

Then you decide how you want to get your Medicare benefit - Traditional, with a Part D plan choice, with or without a MediGAP or the all inclusive MAPD .

You will notice that your Part B premiums will be coming out of your SS Retirement check unless you qualify for one of the Medicare Savings Programs which pay some of the premium cost for low income and asset individuals.

[Spring2023]

1 comment (4/20/23)

Hi @GailL1 , I am NOT waiting for them to "auto" enroll me, I want "control and have questions" = which I will DISCUSS with my Local Office of Aging THIS June.

Lol, been reading about the NIGHTMARES (on this AARP site) and want to "avoid" them as much as possible. 😉

Thanks, Nicole 🙃

---

➡️@GailL1 wrote:

@Spring2023 

If you are already receiving your Social Security Retirement, which I thought you said you were *early benefit” , then you shouldn’t have to do anything - you will be signed up automatically and you should get your booklet of “Medicare and You 2023” and your Red white and Blue Medicare card indicating the effective date of your Part A & B coverage. (Normally 1st of your birthday month).

Then you decide how you want to get your Medicare benefit - Traditional, with a Part D plan choice, with or without a MediGAP or the all inclusive MAPD .

You will notice that your Part B premiums will be coming out of your SS Retirement check unless you qualify for one of the Medicare Savings Programs which pay some of the premium cost for low income and asset individuals.⬅️

---

[GailL1]

@Spring2023 

Do you have your copy of the 2023 Medicare and You booklet?

If you don’t, you can go to this link and download it in any format that you want or order it from Medicare.

Medicare.gov - Getting 2023 Medicare and You Handbook - any format.

Pretty easy to read and gives you all the basics of the program from signing up to picking your plan(s) to what is covered and under which Part.  How to find and pick doctors if you need to know if they accept the Trad. Program by assignment or if they might do balanced billing. 

Handy booklet.

[Spring2023]

1 comment (4/19/23)

How are you handling your dental and eye care? 🤔

This August will be my LAST month at the clinic I have been going to here in Roanoke, Virginia. AWESOME staff since 2018. They DO NOT accept MEDICARE! 😭

I like my 6-month Cleaning and "replacement" glasses as needed.

Nicole 🙃

[GailL1]

What insurance do they accept now from you ?

If Medicaid, you may still get that depending on your income.

See if you qualify for one of the Medicare Savings Programs - if so, Medicaid comes with some of them.

IOW, you would have Medicare supplemented by Medicaid benefits - any aux. benefits would be defined by your state like dental, vision, hearing 

[Spring2023]

1 comment (4/17/23)

I turn 65 this September, when will they (whomever?) MAIL me Medicare stuff?

Lol, I have heard my mailbox will soon be FULL...

I plan on stopping by my local office of aging to sign up EARLY in June.

I am receiving Retirement Social Security.

Thanks, Nicole 🙃

[cat0w]

@Spring2023 

I provided a link to Medicare in my first reply. If a person uses the link, they will find other links that may help them. Here is a good one to start with and download the publication, Medicare and You 2023.

Search Publications | Medicare

[Spring2023]

5 comments (4/12/23)

I will be signing up this year and NOT looking forward to THE STRESS involved.

Lol, I have been reading up about it and already crying....😭 

(I live in Virginia, drawing Retirement Social Security, need to move to Florida to be near to my "only" child).

Thank you, Nicole 🙃

[poppy89]

This is a good place to get different perspectives on the subject of medicare.  I researched for many months before deciding which route to go.  You can talk to just about any insurance agent and they can help you.  I discussed the subject with several and ended up signing with an agent with my bank.  He was the only one that explained why to choose medicare over an advantage plan.  I have regular medicare along with a prescription and medigap policy.  I have never had any problems with the 

---

@Spring2023 wrote:

I will be signing up this year and NOT 

Lol, I have been reading up about it and already crying....😭

(I live in Virginia, drawing Retirement Social Security, need to move to Florida to be near to my "only" child).

Thank you, Nicole 🙂

---

[poppy89]

I have not had any problems using their benefits.  Last year I had a lot of health problems.  I had minimal bills to pay because medicare and medigap paid the largest portion.  The biggest advice I can give you is do not get a Medicare advantage plan.  

I😭‌l‌‌‌‌l‌‌ll‌‌

---

[cat0w]

Have you visited the Medicare web site?

Welcome to Medicare | Medicare

If you think you would want a Medicare Advantage Plan, then you need to check out what is available in your area.

[Spring2023]

1 comment (4/12/23)

Hi @cat0w :

YES, I did ALL the REQUIRED reading.

This TOPIC is asking for FEEDBACK from members:

(1) Who are on Medicare.

(2) Those like myself, who will be on it this year.

A DISCUSSION amongst us about our PERSONAL experiences with Medicare.

Thank you, Nicole 🙃

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➡️@cat0w wrote:

Have you visited the Medicare web site?

Welcome to Medicare | Medicare

If you think you would want a Medicare Advantage Plan, then you need to check out what is available in your area.⬅️

---

[cat0w]

Medicare, what is it? It's another type of insurance but for us old people.

What's Medicare? | Medicare

I started drawing Social Security at age 62 and as I recall when I reached 65 my Medicare card was sent to me, and I started using it. I also signed up for a Medicare Advantage Plan through Baylor Scott and White. You will get what you pay for! 

I take advantage of everything that is available each year, annual checkup, two dental exams and cleaning and eye exam. For my plan I don't pay anything. Anything extra that I ask for may cost.

I do make copays for my prescriptions, but they are very reasonable.

I live in Central Texas. Check out what is available for your area.