I'm 64 I will be 65 on November 02, 2007. Should I apply for Medicare supplemental health insurance now ?

Question

This whole Medicare supplemental insurance is so confusing. The companies try to make it that way I'm just not sure if there is a valid reason to apply now or to wait and save eleven months of premiums. Please help me the insurance companies don't even answer the phone.

Answer 1

It's too soon for you to apply, since you need to be close to, or older than, age 65. When you do apply, send your application to the insurer you've selected at least 2 months before your 65th birthday. You can request an effective date on or near your birthday.

Here's a helpful guide published by CMS that explains Medicare Supplement policies; refer to pages 11, 29-31, 74 and 99:

http://www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/10050.pdf

Answer 2

I sign people up every day for supplemental insurance. I can tell you what you need to know e-mail me and I'll give you my number. 3 months prior to turning 65, the month you turn 65, and 3 months after you turn 65 you are what is called "open enrollment". What this means is that no matter what your health is, an Insurance Co. must cover you. What you want is called a Plan F (in most states), or J in a few. Same coverage, just different letters depending on the state and co you choose.

I work for the leading co. in supplemental insurance for seniors on Medicare. This is what we do. All supplemental plans are regulated by Medicare so they are all the same coverage from company to company. The only thing that differs is the price, usually only a couple dollars a month higher or lower between companies. The other main difference is the level of customer service you get from your company. The company I work for believes in good old fashioned customer service, so if any of my clients get a bill that was not taken care of directly, I handle the paperwork to get it paid. If they have questions about Medicare, they call me not an 800# in Malaysia! My clients would never switch, oh ya and we pay the bills in a timely manner. No co-pays, deductibles or money out of your pocket as long as it is a Medicare approved treatment. (most doctor and hospital visits are).

Make sure your medicare card shows that you are enrolled in A & B effective November 1, 2007. I would sign up the 1st of October. It usually only takes about 2 weeks to get your policy and card from the insurance co., and then you are ready to go Nov 1, 2007. You can sign up for a supplement 6 months ahead of time, but your coverage doesn't begin and you don't pay for it until you are eligible for Medicare on Nov 1, 2007.

If you let me know what state you are in, I'll get the name of someone in that state to give you quotes, and help you understand everything prior to October.

Answer 3

Have you tried calling the Senior Linkage line? Do they have one in your area? Medicare is very expensive(should not be IMHO!). Do you have existing insurance now? If so, is it meeting your needs? If so..I would wait. There are so many Medicare plans to choose from...it is a nightmare to weed through all of them. Plus you have to choose a separate drug plan, i have seen those be anywhere from free to $75+. I am eligible for Medicare in November also, they told me that a few months before that date...they are going to send me info on the process. I live in Minnesota and the plans are different from state to state. You should also call your local and state Dept of Human Services to see if you are at an income level where they will help you pay your Medicare premiums. There are Federal and in some states, county programs that will help u pay your premiums. Some of the Medicare plans have the drug plan kind of bundled in. You could talk to your pharmacy about what drug plans are best to cover your prescription needs. Medicare, to me is a nightmare. Should not cost so much! Good Luck!

Answer 4

According to the Medicare website, you have to be 65 before you're eligible for coverage so it doesn't sound like you have to worry until November. That is unless you have a disability or have a specific kidney disease.

From the Medicare website:

Who is Eligible for Medicare?

Generally, you are eligible for Medicare if you or your spouse worked for at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment and you are 65 years or older and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. If you aren’t yet 65, you might also qualify for coverage if you have a disability or with End-Stage Renal disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant).

Answer 5

specific because of the fact Medicare covers purely 80% of the fees and from time to time it may pay under that, so which you will desire to pay the the rest stability your self. in case you get a Medicare supplement or Medi-hollow coverage, it alternatives up something that Medicare does not pay. I many times costs $a hundred twenty five or $a hundred and fifty a month. once you're a low earnings senior you may prepare for Medicaid which additionally alternatives up what Medicare does not.

Answer 6

I would wait until November, but it shouldn't stop you from doing your homework. AARP has some good secondary policies. Start a folder of all possible prospective policies and start listing good/bad etc of each and every one. Remember to find out which policies will cover skilled nursing (nursing home), acute rehab stays, etc. Most policies won't cover what Medicare won't. (i.e., skilled nursing for custodial care). It is very confusing but ask someone you trust to help out or talk to a friend or neighbor who has a supplemental policy to find out which companies offer good coverage. I agree with you that this is very confusing, as is our healthcare system, but don't even get me on my bandwagon about that!!!! I always say I'm going to run for public office to fix our healthcare system LOL -- it needs a MAJOR overhaul --- yet not one of the pols will touch it with a ten foot pole!!!

Answer 7

You better check with medicare as I think you will have to be just about 66 before you can get medicare

Answer 8

Im really not sure - but I wanted to stop by and say happy early birthday! Ill be 36 on November 1st!!

Scorpios RULE!!