Medicare

One of Minnie Pearl's much-used jokes was this: "I'm too young for Medicare and too old for men-to-care."

It appears that I'm no longer too young for Medicare. At least, I won't be after April.

Thanks to the discussion and advice in the comment section of the entry where I asked advice for Pat, I'm much better educated. This just goes to show that when you reach out to help someone, you often receive help yourself in the process.

Ma said, "Even though I'm still working I was told to sign up for Medicare a and b as my insurance coverage changes to a different plan with 65 You might want to check on that with Cliff's coverage. I'd previously thought I get the same, but no, Medicare pays first then my work coverage pays 2nd."

Celeste said, "Listen to Ma. SS also advices you to sign up as you will have to wait until open enrollment if you do not sign up by 65th BD. Most employers insurance change when someone is 65. It usually becomes a supplement policy after that."

And Patsy said, "Donna when you are 65 sign up for medicare, I didn't because I had good insurance and was working. I reasoned even if I had to pay a deductible on my insurance it was better than paying insurance cost for medicare. Guess what when I stopped working the medicare charge was larger because I had not enrolled when I was 65."

So I called our insurance; they don't care if I sign up for Medicare or not. As long as Cliff carries this insurance, I am fully covered. So much for having to pay for Part B.

So I said to myself, "Why worry about it then? I'll wait until Cliff retires."

But your comments concerned me, so I went to the Medicare website.

Ah-HA! It looks like I do need to sign up for Medicare in the three-month period before I turn sixty-five. It appears to me that if I sign up for Medicare A, that won't cost me a cent. I'm sure the people at the Social Security office will advise me further; I'll write down all my questions before I visit them.

Thanks to all of you for your advice.