I began collecting Social Security at 62, and so on my 65th birthday I was enrolled automatically in parts A&B. Sonya enrolled immediately at 65 (our birthdays are within two weeks of each other), and we retried from the state system at 65. Having worked in the public sector we were limited in our choices of advantage programs. You will likely also be limited by your pension system (if you have one) and/or your location (all insurance companies are not operating everywhere, and many times its different from county to county).
In the year before you become eligible, you may want to purchase a larger mailbox…. There is no junk mail like that sent out by Medicare Advantage Plans…
Sonya and I had many questions, and our options were limited by our retirement system… Pay attention to deadlines, open periods, and ask lots of questions… Best option? Find someone in your area whose run the gauntlet and survived…
For us we settled on United Health Care Advantage Complete, and couldn’t be happier…
Just went through this in August with Laura, but with a twist. I am fortunate in that my union covers most costs of optical, dental and prescriptions. So for us, Medicare advantage is a bit of a waste. We enrolled her in original Medicare, ultimately. We found out, by accident, that my existing health plan reverted to MA when she turned 65. At the time, she was seeing a pulmonologist for what ultimately was diagnosed as early stage emphysema, but she is ok. The pulmonologist did not accept MA. WHAT THE HECK!? I called NYC Office of Labor Relations to switch my health plan so she could be enrolled in original Medicare. Apparently, there is a once in a lifetime allowance to change health plans outside the open enrollment period, in my case, November. We lucked out and received new cards within 2 weeks and everything jived. Albeit now I have to pay a bit more in copays, not an issue. One thing everyone should realize that I found out through this ordeal is that MA is regional in network. So if you need care outside the network, you pay out of pocket. This didn’t work for us because we are traveling more now and if I need a doctors care, other than emergency, original Medicare is in network nationwide, not limited to the region you live in. Hope this helps. It certainly was an eye opener for us!
2023 Raptor Azure Gray Metallic, LUX, Blue Leather, Carbon Fiber, Beadlock Capable Wheels, Keyless Entry (REMOVED)
