When exactly does Medicare start?

[Tybee]

I turn 65 next month, and I just went into the social security website and found that since I am already taking benefits early, I am automatically signed up for Part A and B. Yesterday I enrolled in the AARP G plan. I have not yet received my card, so I don't have the number yet to sign up for Part D.

My question is, it looks like they start you on March 1, the first day of the month. You don't have to wait until your actual birthday? Is that correct?

Second question--what is the initial Medicare physical? Should I wait 3 weeks and get that, or should I schedule with a new doctor here in advance of that? If I do that, I would use my current insurance, and then billing might be messed up.

But I am nervous not having a doctor here, and am having some issues that require seeing a doctor.

Does anybody know about whether it actually all starts the first day of the month, before you are actually 65?

Thanks!

[catherine]

I am 95% sure it starts on March 1 for you (it did for me, too, as my birthday is also in March). As long as you have or get a Medicare card, it should state the effective date on it, and you simply present that to the doctor's practice and you should be good to go.

I don't know what they mean by "initial Medicare physical."

[iris lilies]

There is no physical required.

But if I remember correctly I didn’t have a “Medicare card” for some time, and I would imagine that Covid has slowed down that government bureaucracy even more.

As for the timing, I won’t answer that because I don’t remember for sure, but my impression is that yeah it starts on the first of the month of your birthday.

[oldhat]

It starts the first day of the month in which your birthday occurs.

I was born June 9, 1955, so I became eligible on June 1, 2020. I only signed up for A, which is required, but since I'm still working I'll be waiting to sign up for B.

I too ran into a glitch getting my card, although I got my confirmation letter quickly. When I finally contacted Social Security about the card, they speculated that it was because they didn't have my apartment number as part of my address. I got it a few weeks later.

[catherine]

I can't recall, but once you've enrolled, can you download the card from mySSA.gov?

[Teacher Terry]

The so called Medicare physical is not a physical but you being asked a bunch of questions in order to determine your cognitive abilities. I don’t participate in that crap.

[pinkytoe]

First day of your birthday month. The "physical" is supposed to be a benefit but as near as I could tell, it provides an opportunity to promote all the standard tests. I suppose it might be a good way to check out a new doctor.

[Gardnr]

Be certain to get a part D plan (prescriptions). There is a penalty for every single month that you don't have the coverage should you decide later down the road you want it. I got Mom's first part D for just $8/month. The penalty will really add up over the years.

[pinkytoe]

We went through nightmare customer service to sign DH up with the required drug coverage. We call it Hellcare instead of Wellcare. $17 bucks a month even though he takes no prescription drugs.

[iris lilies]

I have WellCare coverage.Half the time this year I did not run my prescriptions through it because they’re not very expensive when I get them from my doctor.

I think I did finally move everything to a Walgreens pharmacy though. But who knows if I’m really saving any money.

[Tybee]

Thank you, everybody! When I got home today in the mail there was a letter from Social Security explaining just what you all said, that I start March 1. Catherine, I will look on the social security site to see if there is a card there or at least a number so I can get Part D. Gardner, I tried to sign up for it but without the number on the card, I can't yet. But I will definitely do it asap!

I guess there is a free initial physical but will check more into whether it is optional. At this point, I am 3 weeks away from having the medicare coverage so it's just do I wait until I am on medicare or use my current health insurance , when there is a deductible with that one. That sounds like it could get expensive and maybe I should just make the appointment and wait until after the 1st.

[iris lilies]

Isn’t there a deductible with your plan G?

[Tybee]

Plan G does not pay the deductible--I think plan F does?

If I pay the deductible for the health care I have now through husband's job, then I will also have to pay a deductible when I start Medicare.

" The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $203 in 2021"

The deductible for my husband's job plan is something like a thousand dollars per person.

So if she needs to do tests, and she probably will, then I should wait for Medicare, I guess.

[iris lilies]

Plan G does not pay the deductible--I think plan F does?

If I pay the deductible for the health care I have now through husband's job, then I will also have to pay a deductible when I start Medicare.

" The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $203 in 2021"

The deductible for my husband's job plan is something like a thousand dollars per person.

So if she needs to do tests, and she probably will, then I should wait for Medicare, I guess.

hunh. I have a plan G and I thought I had a deductible I had to pay, but maybe not.

edited to add: it is the Medicare B deductible I am thinking of. i think!

[Gardnr]

More Medicare info:

Medicare (https://www.cancer.org/treatment/finding-and-paying-for-treatment/understanding-health-insurance/government-funded-programs/medicare-medicaid/medicare-coverage-for-cancer-prevention-and-early-detection.html) covers an initial preventive physical exam for all new Medicare beneficiaries. It must be done within one year of enrolling in Medicare. The “Welcome to Medicare” physical includes referrals for preventive services already covered under Medicare, including colorectal cancer screening tests.
If you’ve had Medicare Part B for longer than 12 months, a yearly “wellness” visit is covered without any cost. This visit is used to develop or update a personalized prevention plan to prevent disease and disability. Your provider should discuss a screening schedule (like a checklist) with you for preventive services you should have, including colorectal cancer screening.


What colorectal cancer screening tests does Medicare cover?Medicare covers the following tests, generally starting at age 50:
Fecal occult blood test (FOBT) or fecal immunochemical test (FIT) once every 12 months.
Stool DNA test (Cologuard) every 3 years for people 50 to 85 years old who do not have symptoms of colorectal cancer and who do not have an increased risk of colorectal cancer.
Flexible sigmoidoscopy every 4 years, but not within 10 years of a previous colonoscopy.
Colonoscopy


Once every 2 years for those at high risk (regardless of age)
Once every 10 years for those who are at average risk
4 years after a flexible sigmoidoscopy for those who are at average risk

Double-contrast barium enema if a doctor determines that its screening value is equal to or better than flexible sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy:


Once every 2 years for those who are at high risk
Once every 4 years for those who are at average risk

At this time, Medicare does not cover the cost of virtual colonoscopy (CT colonography).

[Gardnr]

This might help with initial Q/A for what you're getting:

https://boomerbenefits.com/understanding-medicare/

[Tybee]

This might help with initial Q/A for what you're getting:

https://boomerbenefits.com/understanding-medicare/

Thanks, Gardnr, this is great, so clear and helpful.

[Tybee]

hunh. I have a plan G and I thought I had a deductible I had to pay, but maybe not.

edited to add: it is the Medicare B deductible I am thinking of. i think!

Yes, you have to pay the Medicare B deductible with plan G.

I believe F pays it for you, but I am not eligible for F because I was born a year too late to get it.

But with G you do pay that deductible for Medicare B.

[happystuff]

Dh will turn 65 in a couple of months and he finally had a phone "meeting" with a Medicare advisor. Since dh is still working and has insurance through work, he DOES NOT need to sign up (for A or B, let alone any of the supplements) until he actually knows he will no longer be working - NO PENALTY! I need to check on this further, as I was always told "you must sign up right before your 65 birthday or you will suffer penalties".

Anyone else able to confirm the above?

[iris lilies]

Dh will turn 65 in a couple of months and he finally had a phone "meeting" with a Medicare advisor. Since dh is still working and has insurance through work, he DOES NOT need to sign up (for A or B, let alone any of the supplements) until he actually knows he will no longer be working - NO PENALTY! I need to check on this further, as I was always told "you must sign up right before your 65 birthday or you will suffer penalties".

Anyone else able to confirm the above?

No I cannot confirm it. When I was investigating Medicare a couple years ago the penalty was in place if you didn’t sign up, even if you were not using it. It’s possible the rule changed.

Edited to add: it might be part D that generates the penalty if you don’t sign up.

[Tybee]

No I cannot confirm it. When I was investigating Medicare a couple years ago the penalty was in place if you didn’t sign up, even if you were not using it. It’s possible the rule changed.

yes, I can confirm, so long as his employer meets the standard for coverage, which I think is by number? DH's employer sends out a statement each year that says it meets the standard so no penalty.

[happystuff]

yes, I can confirm, so long as his employer meets the standard for coverage, which I think is by number? DH's employer sends out a statement each year that says it meets the standard so no penalty.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! (Can you tell I was a little worried??? LOL) I will ask dh to see if he employer has such a statement.

[iris lilies]

https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-insurance/info-12-2008/ask_ms_medicare_paying_for_the_part_d_late_penalty .html

You must sign up for part D or there’s a penalty. Unless those rules have changed in the last couple of years. Even if you don’t use any other drugs, or you get your drugs in another way, you’ve got to sign up for part D.

[Tybee]

You do not have to sign up for D now if you have the employer coverage that is acceptable. That is what the employer told us and that is what social security rep told us.

[Tybee]

But hey, check again with social security, his employer, and one of those medicare helper people that you can contact.

https://boomerbenefits.com/medicare-while-working/?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=dynamic-search&gclid=Cj0KCQiAieWOBhCYARIsANcOw0wlA66w0uZec_cwlAUQ E05zHbXxwUYn2vtX835aw2OWvAsjZXTGUp0aAnOTEALw_wcB

[happystuff]

https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-insurance/info-12-2008/ask_ms_medicare_paying_for_the_part_d_late_penalty .html

You must sign up for part D or there’s a penalty. Unless those rules have changed in the last couple of years. Even if you don’t use any other drugs, or you get your drugs in another way, you’ve got to sign up for part D.

Thanks for the article. I think this, however, says the same as Tybee mentioned - as long as dh has coverage elsewhere:

The late penalty applies only to people who have missed their personal deadline for signing up for Part D and do not have creditable coverage from elsewhere, such as from a former or current employer or the Veterans Affairs health system. (“Creditable” means that Medicare considers it at least as good as Part D. If you have drug coverage from elsewhere, the plan must inform you whether its creditable or not.)

[happystuff]

Thanks again, everyone, for the quick responses and links! I'm breathing easier and have a direction to go in for confirmation. Whew!!!

[Teacher Terry]

Yes Tybee is correct.

[gimmethesimplelife]

Medicare starts at midnight of the 1st of the month in which you.turn 65. Rob