On Medicare Part A (not B) and husband's (62) work insurance, layed of now what?

[dp8086]

  I'm (69) on premium free medicare  part A (not part B) and my husband's work insurance. My husband was let go and will need to get insurance soon. He is 62.

Can we get an ACA plan that covers us both (and not get Part B for me)?. 

What happens when he applies for Social security later? I assume we lose the ACA insurance, right?

Thanks!

Karen

[WebWiseWoman]

Hello, dp,

One other point to consider is after finding if he qualifies for ACA, if he does not, check the COBRA (Continuation of Health Coverage - for his job health plan) premium vs your Medicare Part B premium. Based on both your health history and current experience, COBRA may be less expensive and tide you over until he reaches 65 and qualifies for Medicare.

I did not consider this before I signed up for Part B which is astronomical, imho, and will forever regret that.

Also, when he finds new employment, he should be able to cancel COBRA.

Good luck with his job hunt (remind of the resources available through AARP to help we 60+ employees).

btw, I'll write again that I was always under the impression ACA meant health care costs were going to be brought into reasonable costs, not that it had anything to do with subsidizing those of us who worked with average 2% annual wage raises while health care costs rose 4.2% to 4.7% on average from 2012 to 2022. Just sayin'

[GailL1 · Accepted solution]

Your husband can get an ACA plan but not you since you are eligible for Medicare - you just need to sign up for Part B and then pick how you want to get your Medicare - Traditional or Medicare Advantage and then get a prescription drug plan.  This action by you is time sensitive -  

You can be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period so that your new Medicare plan can start right away at the beginning of the next month after you apply.  

Since you are eligible for Medicare, the government will not subsidize the premiums for any ACA plan for you - Your husband can keep the ACA plan until he is eligible for Medicare at age 65.  

[GailL1]

@dp8086 

The suggestion made by @WebWiseWoman about COBRA might be a solution IF the premiums aren’t too high since most of the time an employer does not help with the premium cost.  AND as long as the employer meets the conditions as specified by Medicare and state law.

Medicare.gov - COBRA COVERAGE

Based on the age of the husband (62) - and COBRA;s time period of coverage - it might not be feasible.  But he may get other coverage from his next employer too.

IF you and your husband do decide to get COBRA  just make sure you know how it works with Medicare.  (see the Medicare link above).

[LG322302]

That's why Medicare is such a scam.  Over priced, no choices, no options and it doesn't pay for anything. If those 65 and older were allowed to sign up for the aca or medicare and the government contributed toward the aca subsidy whatever they would pay toward Medicare, you would have the option of choosing whichever works best for you and maybe stand a chance of actually being able to afford care when you need it.

[DirkB349973]

My experience with Medicare is different than yours. My Medicare + supplemental + drug plan is cheaper and has better coverage than the high deductible plan I had before retirement. I'm very satisfied with Medicare.

[LG322302]

I'm glad you were able to find something that worked for you. I'm not actually on Medicare. There's no way I can afford it. Employer health care isn't great--too high a deductible. I've given up even seeing doctors because I can't afford to cover it. Now we had an aca plan a few years ago that was great. Low premium (with subsidy), low deductible, doctor copays not dependent on the deductible, limited out of pocket,  $0 generic prescriptions.  I'd go back to that in a heartbeat if I had a choice.