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Signing up for Medicare A and B

We want to give you some help when you are Signing up for Medicare A and B.  This can be a stressful time for some people with all the mail and calls they receive.

• Medicare A and B will begin the first of the month someone turns 65 years old.
• If you receive social security payments for at least 4 months before the month you turn 65, you will get Medicare A and B automatically.  Those not receiving payments will need to sign up for A and B online or at the local social security office.
  • If you have not been receiving Social Security payments for the 4 months before you turn 65, you will need to sign up for both A and B.  You will not get it automatically.
  • Here is the link for those that need to sign up  CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR MEDICARE ONLINE  The online enrollment is simple and only takes about 15 to 20 minutes
  • Please Note:  If you are past the age of 65 and want to sign up for Medicare part B, it cannot be done online.  You must go to the local social security office to sign up.  We suggest that you call the office first to make an appointment.

• Signing up for Medicare A and B – Medicare billing for part B

  • If you are already receiving Social Security payments, the part B premium will be deducted from your SS payments.
  • If you currently do not not receive Social Security payments, you will be billed quarterly for part B.  Medicare will allow you to pay the premium automatically if you fill out a form to set it up.

Signing up for Medicare A and B – Who should enroll in Medicare Part B

• If someone is working and receiving health benefits through work or if they receive health benefits through a working spouse, they do not need to sign up for part B of Medicare. (Assuming they will continue to get work benefits)
• If either they or the spouse they get benefits through stops actively working, they need to sign up for Medicare Part B.  Note: Those with groups of less than 20 employees may need to sign up for part B when they turn 65 regardless of work status.
  • Retiring is a special election for Medicare Part B.  You will need to take a completed Employment verification form to the Social Security office to sign up for B.  The effective date will be the first of the month after you retire.
  • If you are still actively working but no longer receive coverage, that is also considered a special election to sign up for Medicare Part B.
  • You have an 8 month window to sign up for Part B.  The 8 months start from the date you either retire or lose coverage
  • If you fail to sign up for part B under either of the scenarios above, it will result in a  Part B penalty  The penalty is 10% of part B premium for every 12 months you did not have part B. If you delayed part B enrollment and missed your special election period, you should sign up during the Medicare Part B general enrollment period.  The general enrollment is  from Jan 1 through March 31  to sign up for a July 1 start date. Those that miss the general enrollment will need to wait for the next general enrollment to sign up unless they qualify for a special election period,
• click here for employment verification form.

• According to Medicare, someone employed by a group with less than 20 employees needs to sign up for both Medicare A and B at age 65.  This is true even if you have health coverage from work and are still working.  In reality, I have had a number of people who work in groups less than 20 delay part B.  Those people have not paid a penalty when they enrolled in B later down the road.  They also did not have any issue with the special election to enroll in B.  Regardless, the Medicare rule says they should enroll when turning 65.  It is up to you how you choose to proceed in this situation.

• Those with Medicare A and/or B are advised not to contribute to an HSA account. If you are selected for an audit, you may be receive a penalty.  This means your contributions are included in your taxable income. You will also pay a 10% penalty on the contribution.

Medicare Employer Information Form

Medicare Part A Coverage –

Are you working and Medicare eligible with insurance either through your own or your spouse’s employer?  If this is the case, you should consider taking Medicare Part A (hospital Insurance).  In most instances, there is no cost to you for the extra coverage Part A provides.  We have included a link at the bottom of the page with the Medicare Employer Information Form.  This form helps both you and your employer start your Medicare Part A coverage.

Should you take Medicare Part B coverage?

Before you sign up for Part B coverage there a few things you need to be aware of.  First of all, Part B is medical insurance, this coverage is not free and you will be charged a monthly premium.  You also need to know; when you are Medicare eligible your employer insurance may change to some extent. Check with your human resources department or benefit coordinator so they can explain any changes in coverage or concerns you have. You will also need to double check insurance information with the Social Security Administration and Medicare.

Health insurance is very important to us all.  You don’t want to make mistakes with your healthcare coverage, as that could be costly.  Each person has different needs, therefore it is entirely up to you to decide what coverage is best for you.  You also have to decide if the costs will be reasonable with regard to your coverage needs.

Primary and Secondary Insurance –

In fact, if you have primary insurance coverage with your employer, most likely you do not need Part B. If you are not satisfied with the coverage your employer provides, you may want to think about Part B coverage.  If you choose to add Medicare Part B to your employer insurance you need to find out which insurance will be primary and which one secondary.  Primary insurers will pay your approved medical claims first.

Secondary insurance will normally pay the part of your expenses left over after the primary has paid.  The amount secondary insurers pay can be either all or some of the unpaid balance. This amount may be the remaining 20% of the doctors fee after primary has paid.  If you are not enrolled in a primary insurance plan, but only a secondary plan, you will have little to no coverage.  When employer insurance becomes secondary you may be better off if you take Medicare both Parts A and B.

Enrollment Period

Medicare offers a Special Enrollment Period without penalty when you first qualify for coverage.  You may enroll in Medicare, without penalty, at any time while you have group health coverage. This enrollment period is also good for eight months after you lose your group health coverage or you (or your spouse) stop working, whichever comes first.

Sometimes your employee coverage will automatically move into a Medicare Advantage Plan (private health plan).  If you have health coverage from either a union, a current or a former employer when you become Medicare eligible.  You can keep the Medicare  Advantage Plan or switch to either Original Medicare or a different Medicare Advantage Plan.  You should know that if you switch plans, Your employer or union could lessen or even terminate your health benefits or the benefits of your dependents.  Discuss any healthcare plan changes you may want with your employer or union to make sure your coverage is safe.

Click the link below for the employer medicare Forms.

Employer Medicare Forms

What is Medicare?

This blog will attempt to answer “what is Medicare?” by  providing a basic understanding of the Medicare program and how it works. In addition, it will detail the other parts of Medicare such as C and D.  First of all lets start with the official definition:   Medicare is the federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older. It is also for certain younger people with disabilities and with End-Stage Renal Disease.  Most people are eligible for Medicare at age 65.

Medicare is made up of four components which can cause confusion.  Original Medicare (Red, White and Blue care with a Medicare ID on it) is Medical coverage with parts A and B.    This is what provides basic medical coverage for those on the program.   Medicare Part C is different than Original Medicare.   Part C is a Medicare Advantage Plan and is something a member can enroll in if they want.  Medicare Part C replaces Medicare A and B for those that enroll in it.   Another part of Medicare is part D which is prescription drug coverage (Also called a PDP). You can enroll in Medicare part D using a stand alone drug plan or access Medicare part D through the drug benefits on an Advantage plan.

Medicare Part A (Hospital Coverage)

Medicare Part B (Medical Coverage)

Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans)

Medicare Part D (prescription drug coverage)

Medicare Eligibility

Medicare Eligibility is available to anyone turning 65, disabled prior to the age of 65 or with ESRD.  People turning age 65 need to have 40 quarters of working credits or have a spouse with 40 quarters. You must also be a U.S resident or be legally in the U.S. for 5 concecutive years.  The CMS website has a lot of very detailed information on this topic.   Click for CMS details on Medicare A and B enrollment

Steps for Medicare eligible people

Currently enrolled in Medicare: Click here to check your enrollment 

Medicare Eligibility: Other Resources

Sign up for Medicare after age 65 ( Medicare general enrollment period)

Medicare Part D Rx income penalty

Medicare A and B Benefits

Medicare A and B Benefits become available to most people when they turn 65.   Other people become eligible due to a state disability after 2 years.   Most people are automatically enrolled in Part A and pay no premium for it.  In fact, the majority of people (if they are drawing social security payments) are enrolled in part B.  In most cases, there is a cost of 104.90 a month for each person who is enrolled.  Some people pay more for part B, this amount is based on their income.  In some instances if you qualify for assistance, there will be a lower cost to no cost for Part B coverage.  This is also based on your income level.    You must apply through your state for this assistance in order to qualify for it. Read more

We receive a lot of questions about original Medicare, Medicare Supplement, Medicare Advantage and Medicare part D plans.  A Q and A of the more common questions has been provided below.

Question:  When does my original Medicare A and B plan start?

Answer: Generally, Medicare A and B starts the first of the month you turn 65.  It never starts on the day you turn 65 unless your birth day happens to be on the 1st.  Example:  Bob is 65 on July 18th 2013.  His Medicare A and B will start on July 1, 2013

Question:  Do I need to sign up for Medicare A and B

Answer:  If you are currently taking Social Security payments, you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare A and B.  If you are not taking Social Security payments, you need to call the social security office and sign up for part B of Medicare or enroll online.

Question: How will I be billed for Medicare?

Answer: If you have elected Social Security payments, the part B premium will be taken out of your check automatically.  If you have not elected Social Security, you will be billed quarterly.

Question: How much is Medicare A and B?

Answer:  Part A cost nothing if you or a spouse worked at least 40 quarters (10 years) and contributed toward payroll taxes.  Part B cost $104 per person (will go up in 2014) and increases for those earning higher incomes.

Question: Do I have to enroll in Part B?

Answer: No, you do not need to enroll in part B of Medicare but you will pay a 10% penalty for every year you are eligible and do not enroll.  The exception to this is if you are actively working  and receiving health benefits through your employer.

Question: Do I need part B if my employer gives me retiree benefits?

Answer:  Its a trick question.  If you are retired and getting retiree benefits, you do not have to enroll in part B BUT, you will still have a penalty if you need to enroll in part B down the road. (for example: The employer drops your retiree coverage)  The only valid waiver to the penalty is if you are getting benefits and are actively working.

Question: Does Medicare A and B give me drug coverage?

Answer:  No, Medicare A and B is for medical only.  Drug coverage needs to be purchased through a Part D plan offered by a private insurance company.

Question: What levels of coverage do Medicare A and B provide?

Answer: Generally speaking, Medicare Part A provides hospital coverage and Medicare Part B provides coverage for physicians, testing and other outpatient care.  For a full summary click the link MEDICARE A AND B BENEFITS

Question: How do people cover the things that Original Medicare does not cover?

Answer: They can purchase a Medicare Supplement plan (Also called Medigap) and a part D rx plan or they can purchase a Medicare Advantage plan (MAPD plan). Some people stay on A and B only and simply purchase a stand along Rx plan. (More often they take a supplement or MAPD plan however)

Review our MEDICARE FOR DUMMIES blog for additional information

The majority of people turning 65 will be signing up for Medicare A and B. (Also called original Medicare)  Those that are receiving Social Security payments will be signed up automatically while those that have not elected Social Security will need to call the local social security office.  There is an easier way to sign up that most people are not utilizing.

Read more

The original Medicare A and B benefits are updated every January.  The benefits do not change drastically from year to year but they usually increase slightly . The changes are made areas such as the Medicare Part A Inpatient Hospital Deductible, daily skilled nursing home copy, annual Medicare part B deductible, etc….. Read more

Crowe & Associates will holding a number of seminars for Untied Health Care Medicare Advantage plans  and AARP branded Medicare supplement plans.  The meetings will run from 10:30 am to 12:00 and will provide a review of the Medicare offerings by United Healthcare for 2013.  The review will include basic information on Medicare A and B and, reviews of the United products and the enrollment rules for 2013.

THIS IS AN OLD POST PLEASE CLICK HERE FOR OUR CURRENT SCHEDULE OF MEETINGS

The sessions will be presented by Edward Crowe and Paul Smith of Crowe & Associates. There will be ample opportunity to ask questions before and after the presentation.  The meeting dates, locations and times are listed below.  You must call or email in order to reserve a seat at one of the meetings.  

You may call one of two numbers 860-992-4494,  203-241-7261 or email [email protected] to reserve your seat.

Location:  304 Federal Road,  Suite 107,  Brookfield, CT 06804

Dates:  Tuesday, October 2, 2012  –  Tuesday, October 9, 2012 – Tuesday, October 16, 2012 – Tuesday, October 23, 2012 – Tuesday, October 30, 2012 – Tuesday,  November 6, 2012 – Tuesday, November 13, 2012 – Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Time:  All meetings are from 10:30 am to 12:00 noon

Location: Danbury Library (170 Main Street, Danbury, CT 06810)

Dates: Tuesday, October 2, 2012  –  Tuesday, October 9, 2012 – Tuesday, October 16, 2012 – Tuesday, October 23, 2012 – Tuesday, October 30, 2012 – Tuesday,  November 6, 2012 – Tuesday, November 13, 2012 – Tuesday, December 4, 2012

Time:  All meetings are from 10:30 am to 12:00 noon

Call or email to reserve you seat(s) today!