You should receive a blue book and will every year going forward - on the front page it says 'what's new for the year' usually on page 4. Look at the first to see what changes. Going forward you should receive the booklet before October each year.

Read the book cover to cover and check to see if your doctors and drugs are approved for medicare.

BTW - you are entitled to a Medicare-Paid-For Welcome to Medicare physical immediately on the day it kicks in. Take advantage of it and than get you annual physical.

Medicare is not FREE like many people think.

Read all you can on Part "B" and read all you can on supplemental insurance . . . Part B currently costs $104 and is usually deducted right from a social security check if you receive one. Supplemental insurance picks up the costs of drugs and other insurance costs not covered by Medicare.

If you decline Part B and want it at a different date say a year or 2 down the road, you will pay a monthly penalty forever for declining in the first place.

Problems understanding anything about it - look in your community - there is usually a counselor at a local senior center that's up to speed on all aspects of Medicare including selecting a supplemental insurance plan and Medicaid or a state subsidy that picks up costs if you are below a specific economic level.

This info is just the beginning but give me a shout out and I can help with this stuff a little or enough to point you in the right direction.

Best and God Bless

Hanko125, I read that like he received his "MEDICAIDE" card, not "MEDICARE". There is a difference ! Medicaide is free to the person, it is paid for thru the taxpayers, like food stamps and such.

Capt, regardless of what it is, I am glad you are covered also, and hope soon you will be able to do the procedure...
Hugs to you and Hanko
Brenda

Yer Right - My first glance thought it was Medicare - duhhhhhhhhhhh - finally know something about something and got it wrong from the get-go . . . .

Hank -
You have a lifetime membership to the same club most of us are part of. Tis OK. Now we know where to get answers on Medicare...

Hugs,
Dennis

Im a member for now as well....

hey Hanko, when I get my "Medicare" I certainly will get a hold of you. Thank you sir. If I get my SSDI in March, it's going to be 2 years before I get my Medicare.

Because of our "life ending" disability, I was fast tracked for state and federal assistance programs.

FYI: Keep in mind that the 24 month wait for Medicare starts when you start receiving your SSDI payments. Depending on your SSDI payment amount and the state you live in, you may not be eligible to receive Medicaid at that time.

I fell into that category, and found the ACA with its subsidies worked out well for me.

Gary

YAY capt! what a releif off your mind!

hank does have a point. i wish i had hanks info info in 2008! when i got medicare.
at that time they give you "part D" drug coverage that you "chose" a provider & pay each month for on top of the medicare fee.
well, i wasn't on many meds back then so i didn't chose a "part d" and just paid cash for my meds.
this year they "caught up" to me & i'm having to backpay 3 years of NOT HAVING "part d" it...FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!
go figure...i tried to save myself & the country money & now 6 years later it's catching up to me.
so beware; if you have medicare; you MUST pay for part D also, even tho they let you "chose" companies.

ps. if you are eligible for medicaid, it will pay that $104 for medicare & i beleive cover your meds..... each state may be different

hey Gary,

Thanks for the info. That 2 year probationary period is unconstitutional as far as I'm concerned if you have a "life ending" disability. I can probably see the wait for a "normal" retired citizen.

Is "ACA" the Affordable Care Act? Not to worry, since most of my career, I was paid off shore, my monthly from SSDI won't be much based on the 3 highest taxed annual incomes listed on my SSI. Medicare is about $105 or $109 per month and the Feds automatically deduct the amount from your monthly SSDI or SSI.

Yes, Medicaid is run by your state, so each state is different.

Important note: If your SSDI benefit is low, you may still be eligible for SSI and/or Medicaid. Medicaid eligibility will vary from state to state.

I don't understand the waiting periods either. 5 months for SSDI after approval, then 2 years for Medicare. I can only assume they are to insure that a person it truly "permanently" disabled.

BTY: Your SSDI can be reevaluated every so many years (depending on the disability) until you reach retirement age. Mine is every 7 years.

When you reach retirement age the benefit remains the same, but the rules regarding earning extra income changes to retirement benefit rules.

Yes, The ACA is the Affordable Care Act.

I got a $25/$50/$1500, RX=$15/$30/$60/no deductible. I only have to pay $199.00 month.

Gary

To the best of my understanding, you can be elligible for Medicade under the age of 65 without being on SSDI. Medicade can cover 100% on medicle bills as BJ mentioned. Medicare on the other hand only covers 80% if I understand correctly. Speaking of getting SSDI. Very difficult as many baby boomers are trying to get approval to subliment there income because they are unemployed and SSDI is cracking down on approval. Just saying...

Lots of good Medicaid info

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medicaid