[Castaway]

Planning for Medicare coverage - some questions

by Castaway on Mon May 19, 2014 8:15 pm

Hello,

I am looking into the not so distant future for Medicare Part A & B plus a Part D coverage. From what I understand, I will receive Part A, but how can I postpone enrolling in Part B and D.

I am 62 and will be 63 this year. Revlimid and dexamethasone are my current drugs. At this point, I am on my wife's insurance where she works at a local hospital. The cost for both of us is zero. With that insurance we have Express Scripts for pharmacy/drugs. My cost on the Revlimid is $20.00 and $5.00 for the dexamethasone. Hate to lose that.

My wife is now 60 and plans on working until 65 or 66. Maybe part time to keep the insurance if possible.

Can I stay on her insurance and pharmacy plan after I hit 65 without a penalty? Also, due to the fact that I have cancer, will insurance companies refuse coverage for me when the time comes to purchase a plan?

There is so much to learn about coverages and out of pocket expenses. I am trying to learn as much as I can now and then stay on top of it so I don't have any big surprises later.

It's unfortunate that we all have to deal with this cancer but also deal with the insurance and all that goes with it.

God Bless, George

[2010 mm diagnosis]

Re: Planning for Medicare coverage - some questions

by 2010 mm diagnosis on Mon May 19, 2014 10:09 pm

I don't claim to be an expert but I can tell my situation, which may help you.

Medicare is available to you at age 65 or earlier if you have been on Social Security Disability for 24 months. Prior to Medicare, I was on my employer retiree plan. I don't think I had a choice except to start Medicare, parts A & B. It was required by my insurance carrier. I was 62 at the time. I retained my retiree insurance as a secondary carrier to Medicare on A & B plus it provided my drug (Par D) coverage. My wife is also covered under my retiree plan.

So I suggest finding out if your wife's plan requires you to get Medicare parts A & B.

The other thing I suggest is to go online to http://www.medicare.gov for details of your options offered by Medicare. Medicare also sent me a complete Medicare Guide in the mail, which I found helpful.

Good luck. It's complicated the first time, but, after all, it's government provided.

[Castaway]

Re: Planning for Medicare coverage - some questions

by Castaway on Tue May 20, 2014 12:10 pm

Thank you for all the info.

I will definitely look into my wife's insurance as to the parts A&B and will look into getting the Medicare guide.

I am sure that other folks have been down this same road and I am not the first, but as far as having internal cancer, would some insurance carriers that are shown on the Medicare site not cover me?

Thank You, George