Guys, I am totally ignorant about Medicare. I turned 64 in October of last year. Do I legally have to enroll? Our company has BCBS. Can they force me off of the company insurance? Do I need to be on both? How does this work? TIA

Thats a million dollar question. Wife just got on it . It’s a nightmare to figure out exactly what u need . Talk to professional. Everyone has opinions an its different for everyone. Don’t cost a penny to talk to a pro.

I just faced the same decision, it is a lot to comprehend. After talking to “The center of aging” that helps decipher this type of thing and talking to as many folks that have faced the same decision. It honestly depends on your current health. If you have a lot of health issues that require constant health care and prescriptions, you’d be better off going with plan “G”, it is a through coverage but is very pricy. If you have normal health stuff, go with “Blue Advantage”. I went with Blue Advantage and it is fantastic!. Zero monthly cost and so far it is better than the BCBS policy Ive had for 40 years. My BP meds went from a $35 COPAY to now is zero. My stomach meds went from $35 copay to 61 cents!!. My annual physical now has a ZERO copay. The only thing that increased is being admitted in the hospital. Blue Advantage has a $120 a day copay for the first 10 days in hospital. But even if I go in the hospital, that copay is offset by what Ive saved in free monthly payments and prescription savings.

Best I can figure is if you are still working and have insurance through a company plan, you don't have to enroll in Medicare. Not til you retire.

This what wife has . Blue advantage. So good so far . Only been couple months into it .

If you have a comparable group work coverage you should be able to keep it. Lots of folks turn 65 and don’t retire and keep their group health coverage. You want to make sure with your HR folks that it is a comparable plan with prescription drug coverage. Blue Cross likely is but always check as well as the rules if you leave the plan. Can you get back in if you leave the plan? Then once you do retire, if you can’t keep your group plan, you should have a Special Enrollment Period to get into original Medicare if you want it. At that point you can go over options with an agent and decide whether you want to stay on original Medicare with or without a supplement or get a Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan. Everyone is different in their needs. Again verify your plan information and requirements with your HR folks. Some folks have group, Union, or government plans that they keep after retirement. It depends on the plan rules. All plans are different so what one company does is not the same as another. Be sure before you drop or keep employer coverage. Sometimes the drug plan portions are not comparable to part D and folks may have problems. Hope this helps. There is basic information on my website if you click the link on my signature or my agency logo at the top of this page.

My Blue Advantage Medicare has a monthly fee deducted from my SS check?

I believe you have to sign up for Medicare Part A at 65. It's free. I did, it has no effect on me still using my current employers insurance. I start the process of selecting the Medicare alphabet insurance later this year as I plan to retire on 12/31. Can't decide which is better, a supplemental or replacement plan.

Blue Advantage doesnt cost anything, what is deducted from our SS is part B. Part A is free, part B is something around $178..The whole thing is very confusing. You cant get Blue Advantage unless your signed up for part B. When you turn 65, you are automatically signed up for Part A and Part B, if you decide you dont want part B, you have to opt out of it. although I dont know why anyone would want to opt out? Whole thing is clear as mud……..

And if you are still working, the part B premium can be a lot higher than $178 because they add an additional premium based on your last years income.

Found out that last year. I did not know about it until I did a timber cut and when I got this years statement they bent me over and did me prison style.

I am definitely following this post - I'll be 60 in June and will have a lot of questions in a couple of years.

It’s not automatic. There are actually penalties for late enrollment. Medicare Advantage is part C and differs from original Medicare parts A, B and D. If you enroll in part C such as Medicare Advantage HMO, you are not on original Medicare. You’re on a private plan. When you age in you have 3 months before tuning 65 the month of your birthday and 3 months after to enroll in original Medicare. If you don’t enroll in parts B and D when initially eligible you could be subject to a late enrollment penalty. What you pay for parts B and D depends on your income. Some folks may pay more because of higher income or IRMAA. There’s an income level chart that shows who is subject to IRMAA increased premiums for parts B and D.

62 here but don't qualify to draw

Here is the link to IRMAA chart so you have as a reference to see costs for parts B and D.

https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/11579-medicare-costs.pdf

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I retired a month after turning 62. Work covered me until I turned 65. I then went on Physicians Mutual. It pays very well. I'm 68 in another month. I've had a neck operation and a knee replacement. I never have to pay any copay's or such. I think most work places will kick you onto medicare, when you turn 65 and still working.

Physicians Mutual has great Medicare Supplement and other products . Feel free to contact me if you want more information.