Must I Sign Up for Medicare? (Vanity)

[Kenny]

Don’t know, sorry. Just thought that might help.

[browniexyz]

You need to check out www.thefundforpersonalliberty.org. If you don’t sign up for Medicare, the gov. won’t give you your Social Security benefits. That’s the truth. THere’s a federal lawsuit over it NOW in DC.

[browniexyz]

There is NO LAW requiring you to sign up for Medicare—it is a voluntary program, entirely. However, you won’t get your Social Security benefits if you don’t—and that’s NOT a law, either, but it is how the gov FORCES you into Medicare! For verification purposes, check out the pleadings in Hall v. Sebelius, currently pending in federal court in DC.

[browniexyz]

Wow — you really think “Medicare costs nothing?” Have you ever looked at your paycheck stub, where more than 2% of every check goes to the Medicare program? What planet are you from?

[FreedomGuru]

Many correct comments already given, but from my personal experience. Your current commercial insurance may require you to apply for Medicare since you are eligible. If the need for hospitalization occurs, they could deny payments until you do apply for Medicare. I had a long hospitalization and had to apply for Medicare due to an ongoing condition and disablity my insurance would not cover all the costs anymore and I am pre-Medicare age. And Medicare can be very slow, for me even with a cut and dried condition that is listed with Medicare it took 4 months for approval. And its great that you are healthy but things happen in the blink of an eye, especially for old folks :-)

[presently no screen name]

if you travel in a group - get the health insurance they offer.

Sounds like good advice! THANKS.

[Gandalf_The_Gray]

I never understood, if one has coverage why do they require the 65 yr old crowd to drop it and take Medicare?

You do not have to sign up for Medicare at 65, however if you wait until the next "open enrolment" period, the premium goes up. The longer you wait the higher the premium rises. In fact the pressure to sign up for Medicare usually arises from your current insurance carrier dropping you at 65. If your employer still carries you on your companies insurance program, you can sign up for Medicare as a supplemental coverage (until you retire) and lock in the lower premiums.

Regards,
GtG

[WVNan]

My insurance was the same way, Roccus. My employee insurance turned into a supplemental when I “retired” (I’m still working), and Medicare became the primary. My supplemental family policy is $113 a month now, but will increase significantly in Jan. I have no idea what my Medicare premiums are. I think they deduct them from any claims that are made. I never use enough medical care to cover the deductible. So, I’ve got a bad deal all around. Doesn’t pay to be healthy.