Michigan Question

[insurance0707]

Do any Michigan agents know of a plan available to someone age 66 that just has Part A of Medicare, this is a GM retiree and he didn't enroll in Part B of Medicare when he should have. He didn't think it was worth the money. Now that he's lost his benefits he can't find a plan. He now has enrolled in Part B of Medicare but it won't take effect until June or July of 2009.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[patch36]

Why does it not take effect for 6 months?

 

[insurance0707]

When you don't sign up for Part B of Medicare when you're first eligible, then you have to wait until January to enroll in Part B but it won't be effective until July, 7 months later. I don't know why they do that. I guess just added punishment for not enrolling when they should have. Not to mention they have to pay some kind of penalty on top of that.

 

[jdeasy]

When you don't sign up for Part B of Medicare when you're first eligible, then you have to wait until January to enroll in Part B but it won't be effective until July, 7 months later. I don't know why they do that. I guess just added punishment for not enrolling when they should have. Not to mention they have to pay some kind of penalty on top of that.

They have a 10% per year penalty if they just didn't take it. It cannot be picked up until the beginning of the next fiscal year, July 1.

However, that doesn't apply if he had coverage. When did he lose his GM coverage?

 

[Russ]

Do any Michigan agents know of a plan available to someone age 66 that just has Part A of Medicare, this is a GM retiree and he didn't enroll in Part B of Medicare when he should have. He didn't think it was worth the money. Now that he's lost his benefits he can't find a plan. He now has enrolled in Part B of Medicare but it won't take effect until June or July of 2009.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks!

I just wrote a lady that is over 65, a med-supp(OE) and PDP, to be effective January 1st, 2009, that has/had group coverage through her job and part A of Medicare. She wanted to go ahead and get off of the group coverage effective January 1st, 2009 and get Medicare part B. I called Social Security to verify her part B would go into effect January 1st, 2009(they said yes...without penalty). Social Security sent her a couple of forms that she had her employer help fill out, requesting a January 1st, 2009 effective date.

The GM retiree has/had creditable coverage and he should fall into the same situation as the lady I wrote.

 

[insurance0707]

He lost his GM health coverage 1-1-09, most GM retiree's that I've spoken to all knew that they had to have Part B of Medicare and had enrolled. For some reason, this person declined, he didn't think it was worth the cost. Do you think he might qualify due to having group coverage?

 

[Russ]

He lost his GM health coverage 1-1-09, most GM retiree's that I've spoken to all knew that they had to have Part B of Medicare and had enrolled. For some reason, this person declined, he didn't think it was worth the cost. Do you think he might qualify due to having group coverage?

I think so. I doubt it would go into effect now until February 1st, 2009.

 

[jdeasy]

He lost his GM health coverage 1-1-09, most GM retiree's that I've spoken to all knew that they had to have Part B of Medicare and had enrolled. For some reason, this person declined, he didn't think it was worth the cost. Do you think he might qualify due to having group coverage?

Yes, he has 63 days from the loss of creditable coverage. He can pick up part B for $96.40/mo unless he makes more than $85,000/yr. The earliest it can start now is Feb.1. He could then buy a med sup, an MA plan and or a PDP.

 

[patch36]

Thats what I meant. He lost credible coverage and doesnt have to wait. He should be able to get it Feb 1, as I understand the rules.