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Originally Posted by Lou and Carolyn C.
This Medicare/SS stuff can boggle the mind!! I am retired and my husband is still working (self-employed), we have medical through BC/BS and the premiums are taken out of my monthly annuity, that being said, my husband called SS back in April 2011 to schedule an appointment 3 months prior to his 65th birthday, which is/was Aug 5th, his appt. was scheduled May 9th 2011, and he signed on for Medicare. Received a bill in July 2011 for 3 month payments of $346.20 due by July 25th 2011, just received another bill for same amount to be paid by Oct. 25th 2011, this will continue in this manner (with increases I’m sure) until he retires and signs up for Social Security and starts receiving a monthly check, and then he can choose to have Medicare taken from his SS check on a monthly basis @$115.40(or whatever it is by the time he retires).
I suppose he could have this done on a monthly basis “NOW” if he chooses, by calling SS and asking, not too sure about all this, but it would be much easier on the pocketbook if $115.40 could be paid out of a checking account, for example, instead of $346.20 every 3 months. Has anyone else encountered this same situation?
Next year 2012 I will be turning 65 and will be going through this same process, except since I’m already retired the $115.40(est.) will be coming right off the top of my monthly annuity payment, as well as the BC/BS premiums, which becomes our secondary coverage. I may need to look into a lesser premium health coverage, so the monthly premiums between Medicare & Secondary Coverage equals what is being taken out NOW. So much to think about!!!
The standard Part B premium in 2011 was $115.40 or $346.20 every 3 months, we chose to keep the Prescription Drug through BC/BS as it is equivalent to Medicare Part D.
Part A is Premium Free if you or your spouse paid Medicare taxes while working.
ALL COMMENTS/SUGGESTIONS/RECOMMENDATIONS ARE WELCOME!!
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This does not sound correct so you might want to call SS and recheck. My understanding is that your husband was correct in signing up for Medicare before his 65 birthday. However as long as he had qualifying insurance form his employer(or union) he should have only signed up for part A. Sounds like he signed up for A and B and B is where the premium is coming from.
HOWEVER the governments does not consider COBRA insurance as adequate insurance so you would have to sign up for part B at 65 if you have that. Could be the same type of logic since your husband is not an employee, but is self employed.