how do i counsel this client on her Part B problem?

[selfgen]

I've been doing Medicare insurance for over 25 years. For most of that time, paying Part B premiums was not an issue for my clients because the vast majority of my clients were retired and/or receiving Social Security benefits, so the premium was automatically deducted.
But it's different now. I wised up and started marketing to T65, which was a demographic that I just ignored for years; I stayed very busy mostly just working referrals from my clients. That worked great for me back when I was married and raising four kids. I wasnt working nearly as much as I do nowadays.
My kids are grown, most of them young adults, so now I have a lot more time to work and I am loving it! Nowadays I am always prospecting and I work T65 leads quite a lot.
So, I have noticed that i have several clients who are on Medicare but are not receiving Social Security benefits. These clients have to pay their Part B premiums themselves and I currently have a couple of clients who have fallen way behind on their payments. I have a client who recently received an invoice for over $1200 for her Part B premium...And she hasn't got the money to pay it. Now she may lose her Medicare benefits. I don't know what she was thinking would happen. Maybe she thought the Part beekeeper would take care of everything.(OMG I can't believe I just made that cringy joke. sorry)
But seriously, I havent had to deal with this before. Does anyone know how I should counsel her? How long does Medicare wait before dropping someone? Do they allow payment plans? If someone at least makes a monthly payment going forward, will that at least prevent them from being dropped? Does anyone know how Medicare works with people who are delinquent with their premiums?

 

[ValeRosso]

If someone is that broke, they should qualify for a MSP will pay Part B premiums. As long as they arent asset-rich. Refer her to the Medicaid office.

Medicare doesnt do payment plans. I think its 3-4 months delinquency until it will be cancelled.

 

[WinoBlues]

If someone is that broke, they should qualify for a MSP will pay Part B premiums. As long as they arent asset-rich. Refer her to the Medicaid office.

Medicare doesnt do payment plans. I think its 3-4 months delinquency until it will be cancelled.

If a person is canceled or never paid it can they reinstate?

 

[Fisher]

Give her 800-772-1213 and tell her to plead her case and good luck. Delinquent payments are not your wheelhouse.

 

[kak6407]

If a person is canceled or never paid it can they reinstate?

they can but have to wait until GEP and then will get a late enrollment penalty tacked on to their premium

 

[rmhaire]

But seriously, I havent had to deal with this before. Does anyone know how I should counsel her? How long does Medicare wait before dropping someone? Do they allow payment plans? If someone at least makes a monthly payment going forward, will that at least prevent them from being dropped? Does anyone know how Medicare works with people who are delinquent with their premiums?

I get a few of these every year working in the business market.

Medicare doesn't play when it comes to part B premiums. They'll drop you like a hot potato. And no to the payment plans.

Sometimes, a partial payment can extend her for a month but that's rare and really depends on exactly when that payment hits to avoid termination.

The good news is that if she's dropped she can reapply in January with a Feb effective date. There may or not be a LEP. I've seen it both ways.

More good news is that she'll get a complete do-over. She can apply for a supplement with no health questions. Just look for a company that doesn't ask if she's had part B before.