Medicare Questions

[BrokenBladder]

First let me start by saying that I have been receiving SSD and medicare since 2005. When I finally got approved I went ahead and took medicare which cost $78.80 per month even though my husband had me on his policy through work. Well now a couple of things have changed. My husbands policy is going through some extreme changes starting in February. There will be a $2,000 deductible per person AND the rates will be going up alot. My first question is can I drop myself from that policy since right now medicare is my secondary company? Second question is I was under the impression that once you got medicare it was locked in at that premium but I just got my statement telling me that my medicare will go up to $96.60 starting in Janurary. My final question is about medicare part D. I've had my prescription coverage through my husband but if I change that then I will need to sign up for it. Does anyone have any ideas? I'm lost...........:confused:

[GOLDEN DENNIS]

First of all, I am no expert by any means. I have a situation as to insurance just like yours. I believe that you can drop from your hubby's policy any time you want to (unless there are restrictions as to only certain times of the year when you can make changes ala government employer group insurance). Then medicare becomes your primary and you have no secondary insurance what so ever. Your medicare premiums are adjusted annually. Lastly, there is a time frame from the time that you drop your hubby's prescription insurance where you have to enroll in part D (medicare prescription coverage) and if you do so in that time frame, you will not face a penalty. Naturally, I am unable to remember what that time frame is, but it may be only 30 days, so be careful on that one. SS should be able to answer that, or you can tackle the booklet that they recently sent out.

Good luck to you,

Dennis

[cferro514]

Hi Lisa,
This is a link to the Medicare site and Part D coverage. Please read everything carefully before making changes in your coverage. You may want to ask your DH provider about Medicare being made your primary coverage, and the other insurance as secondary.
http://www.medicare.gov/medicarereform/drugbenefit.asp

[cindybear]

Hi there,
The only way that medicare will be primary is when the company has less workers in the company then 50..( my husbands company only employs 18 ) thats how I know..Secondly, If you get precriptions and have ALOT or expensive scripts ALL the Drug policies have a DONUT hole after spending about 3 thousand of everybodies money They pay 75% and you pay 25%..Then after 3 thou or could be 36 hundred or less (depends on your policy ) Then everybody has a DONUT hole that they have to pay all by them selves..thats 3 thousand dollars , Thats all of them, I just checked it out, I wanted to find a smaller donut hole..There isn't one !!! Reason. Cause I'm at my limit, in about 3 hundred dollars...So my scripts will be paid by my self for a couple of months then it will be 2 dollars and 5 dollars....And yes, my premium went up on my part b to 147 a month....Because of my hubbies w-2 statement..So yes, I feel ya " hugs, Cindy

[Peter B]

Cindy,

Hello. I know you from the CP site. I've been on Part A and B for almost a year. Are you sure that you pay for part B? I don't. I'm wondering if a mistake was made and I'm going to be hit with a "you owe us for all the coverage you had and didn't pay for" type of scenario.

Pete

[cindybear]

yes, i was paying 93.00 , then they decided to look on my husbands w-2 s for the last year. And noted that it stated he made over 350 big ones..( but he really didn't ) . So they put it upon themselves to make my premiums from 93 dollars to 147 a month...My husband is paying for a business, and his accountant has put what he pays on the business each month as his wages. but they are not his wages...they are suppose to be his shares of what the business is worth..What each share is worth..he owns alot....I think he has done my husband wrong and so has my husband,,we have a new accountant. This year...And this one may be speaking with our attorney about other issues...My husband only made 63 thousand,,He refuses to take out of the business until it is paid...But the didn't look at the mans wages...Oh well. It's done...and only 50 dollars a month...nothing compared to that donut hole I'm going to half to pay..Wow, that stinks...Hugs, Cindy

[Boopers]

I agree. Cindy is right. Mine also went up this year because my husband made more this year. It isn't fair, but what can you do?
I am like Lisa. My husband has me covered under his insurance and Medicare is secondary. My scripts are through his insurance. They pay 85 percent and I pay 15 percent.
Take care all,
Linda