Quote from: supsalemgr on June 04, 2021, 09:40:36 AMI am a great believer in using a professional for guidance with something like this. An independent broker will have several options of carriers. I have seen too many situations where people thought they could do it themself
and end up with a surprise.

A peddler to sort out all the other peddlers?

Quote from: supsalemgr on June 04, 2021, 09:40:36 AMI am a great believer in using a professional for guidance with something like this. An independent broker will have several options of carriers. I have seen too many situations where people thought they could do it themself
and end up with a surprise.

Agree! It is too easy to screw yourself over, in more ways than one can imagine.
It is after all, a govt entity, a faceless bureaucracy with "RULES". Do it Right the first time and there won't be any surprises.

This happened during Ocommie Care BS

They saddled me with AARP medicine, I had no clue, it was a default position Ca uses if you don't make a preference.
I saw no reason to make a selection, I had told them I had VA for all my meds, but some moron getting paid by AARP put me on their list.

AARP actually sent me a bill for a few thousand 3 years later, I returned it signed "Fuck Off Commies".
They didn't find it amusing and called me, I told them I hate commies and again, fuck off and never call me again, I don't use your BS.
This was followed up by demand letters, so I called the state and demanded to know why I was on AARP for my meds, she said, and I quote, It's a default used by the state when people fail to make a choice.

Talk about a scam? I said I have VA as a disabled vet and have no need for their commie BS and to take me off it.
Got one more call from AARP, "Fuck You Commies, Sue Me!

That was the last I heard from anyone.

With the exception of their biannual mailers claiming AARP is here to help seniors.

Quote from: Solar on June 04, 2021, 10:40:33 AMAgree! It is too easy to screw yourself over, in more ways than one can imagine.
It is after all, a govt entity, a faceless bureaucracy with "RULES". Do it Right the first time and there won't be any surprises.

This happened during Ocommie Care BS

They saddled me with AARP medicine, I had no clue, it was a default position Ca uses if you don't make a preference.
I saw no reason to make a selection, I had told them I had VA for all my meds, but some moron getting paid by AARP put me on their list.

AARP actually sent me a bill for a few thousand 3 years later, I returned it signed "Fuck Off Commies".
They didn't find it amusing and called me, I told them I hate commies and again, fuck off and never call me again, I don't use your BS.
This was followed up by demand letters, so I called the state and demanded to know why I was on AARP for my meds, she said, and I quote, It's a default used by the state when people fail to make a choice.

Talk about a scam? I said I have VA as a disabled vet and have no need for their commie BS and to take me off it.
Got one more call from AARP, "Fuck You Commies, Sue Me!

That was the last I heard from anyone.

With the exception of their biannual mailers claiming AARP is here to help seniors.

AARP is just another bunch of leftist commie assholes that I'll have nothing to do with.

If you've just turned the 65 corner there is one useful and good deal from the federal gubberment that is a good deal and well worth the cost. It's called the golden age passport and it gets you into national parks, BLM stuff etc. for free for life. You can send for it for or buy it at national parks for a one time fee of 10 bucks.
If you're in the car and there's an entrance fee, show your pass and the whole car load gets a free ride on you.

Quote from: supsalemgr on June 04, 2021, 09:40:36 AMI am a great believer in using a professional for guidance with something like this. An independent broker will have several options of carriers. I have seen too many situations where people thought they could do it themself
and end up with a surprise.

Well, that's not a bad idea.  My husband has been talking to a financial guy about getting set up for retirement, anyway, so it makes sense to have guidance for this, as well.   

Quote from: Solars Toy on June 04, 2021, 07:15:00 AMFrom the Medicare website.

Getting Medicare is a major milestone. Here's where you can get the information you need, no matter where you are in your Medicare journey. 5 important facts: Some people get Medicare automatically, and some have to sign up. You may have to sign up if you're 65 (or almost 65) and not getting Social Security.

Initial Medicare Enrollment Period: Most people get Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) during this period. It starts 3 months before you turn 65 and ends 3 months after you turn 65. If you're not already collecting Social Security benefits before your Initial Enrollment Period starts, you'll need to sign up

https://www.medicare.gov/blog/are-you-new-to-medicare

I remember they really stressed to us that we needed to make sure we were enrolled during this time frame. I still have a few years to go.  Toy

Oh......  I'm not getting SS, so that's me, then....  I need to sign up and I'm quickly approaching that window.  Thanks, Toy! 

Quote from: dickfoster on June 04, 2021, 11:05:15 AMIf you've just turned the 65 corner there is one useful and good deal from the federal gubberment that is a good deal and well worth the cost. It's called the golden age passport and it gets you into national parks, BLM stuff etc. for free for life. You can send for it for or buy it at national parks for a one time fee of 10 bucks.
If you're in the car and there's an entrance fee, show your pass and the whole car load gets a free ride on you.

I never heard of this!  I'll be all over this!   

Quote from: Grammy on June 04, 2021, 11:15:46 AMWell, that's not a bad idea.  My husband has been talking to a financial guy about getting set up for retirement, anyway, so it makes sense to have guidance for this, as well. 

The financial guy might be a good resource for suggestions. This is part of retirement planning.

Quote from: supsalemgr on June 04, 2021, 11:40:43 AMThe financial guy might be a good resource for suggestions. This is part of retirement planning.

This!! There are some nasty "surprises" for people who have to enroll in Medicare Parts B/D and have substantial income: The premiums are based on your Federal Adjusted Gross Income and can be as much as 3x the base monthly premiums!  Make sure you discuss this with your financial advisor as well.

Quote from: Grammy on June 04, 2021, 05:34:03 AMI ask because I'll hit that milestone this year and I'm told I need to "sign up for Medicare". 

How about I just don't get sick? 

So....  do you contact them or do they contact you, or how does it work?  I'm already getting tons of mail from what I suspect are "Part B" competitors:  Physicians Mutual, Cigna, etc. 

*sigh*  I forgot this was part of the whole "Grammy" gig. 

Raises hand...  October.   I've heard from a few videos, if you have any preexisting conditions, you got 6 months - they have to take you, death bed case or frisky as a filly.

Quote from: VVet69 on June 04, 2021, 04:52:06 PMThis!! There are some nasty "surprises" for people who have to enroll in Medicare Parts B/D and have substantial income: The premiums are based on your Federal Adjusted Gross Income and can be as much as 3x the base monthly premiums!  Make sure you discuss this with your financial advisor as well.

*banging my head on the keyboard*  Oh, brother......     

Quote from: Hoofer on June 04, 2021, 05:35:22 PMRaises hand...  October.  I've heard from a few videos, if you have any preexisting conditions, you got 6 months - they have to take you, death bed case or frisky as a filly.

Maybe I'd be better off to just have my own, privately-funded health savings account.   

Quote from: Grammy on June 04, 2021, 11:18:06 AMOh......  I'm not getting SS, so that's me, then....  I need to sign up and I'm quickly approaching that window.  Thanks, Toy!

You are welcome.  Toy

Quote from: Grammy on June 04, 2021, 05:48:52 PM*banging my head on the keyboard*  Oh, brother......   

Here are the details FYI:

https://www.cms.gov/newsroom/fact-sheets/2021-medicare-parts-b-premiums-and-deductibles

Thanks, VVet69!