[tghoul]

I have medical insurance from my former employer (AT&T). Do I need to take Medicare Part B?

Mrs. tghoul (almost 65)

[BobKat1]

Originally Posted by tghoul

I have medical insurance from my former employer (AT&T). Do I need to take Medicare Part B?

Mrs. tghoul (almost 65)

I'm not sure how AT&T's insurance works, but with my former employer, at age 65 Medicare becomes our primary coverage, and our insurance with my former employer converts to Mecdicare Supplemental coverage. I'm sure there would be someone in AT&T's benefits department who could give you te info you need.

[tghoul]

Thanks BobKat,

I have started to receive all this Medicare information and in one section it said that you did not have to take Part B, so I got all jumbled up in my g-string and was not sure what I needed to do. I am sure you are correct.

Mrs. tghoul

[champion6]

Originally Posted by tghoul

I got all jumbled up in my g-string

Be careful. There isn't a plan anywhere that will cover complications arising from THAT.

[zummy]

I understand that w/n the 1st year your on medicare your entitled to a "welcome to medicare Physical" It is paid w/o regard to your annual deductible. 1st year only. Anyone have this exam?

[Hancle704]

Your AT&T Medical Summary Plan Description should spell out in detail what happens to your coverage when you become Medicare eligible. If it is the same as when I retired from AT&T, your AT&T Plan will become your secondary insurance. Note a secondary plan is not he same as a Medicare Supplement, but you don't pay for it. Also worth noting, if you have a Prescription Plan from AT&T it would be better to keep it than it would be to switch to Medicare D. There is no donut hole in the AT&T Plan.

Of course if Congress changes things we will have to see what companies like AT&T will do to retiree benefits.

[Bryan]

Most company plans require you to take Medicare as your primary health insurance and they then become secondary (if you decide to keep them). Be sure to check with AT&T first but do not tarry too long - time is money in Medicare and your company-sponsored insurance. There are penalties (sometimes) for changing later.

When you first get Medicare, there are some "benefits", a complete physical (one time only) being one of them. There are some others that come on a periodic basis (like breast exams for ladies, a colonostomy, flu shot, shingles shot, etc. They give you a booklet that explains all these one-time and periodic benefits but you have to read it. If you use Medicare on-line, their web site is pretty good about giving you reminders also.

Do not get locked into your company poan becoming your secondary medical insurance. Investigate alternatives. In some cases, you may find supplemental Medicare insurance a better deal. Don't forget your drug paan (Part D) either. Look into alternatives there as well as what you currently have and pick what is best for your situation.

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by Bryan

Do not get locked into your company plan becoming your secondary medical insurance. Investigate alternatives. In some cases, you may find supplemental Medicare insurance a better deal. Don't forget your drug plan (Part D) either. Look into alternatives there as well as what you currently have and pick what is best for your situation.

Just a caution, before you drop your AT&T coverage. If your spouse is covered under your AT&T plan and you drop AT&T, you will lose your spouses coverage and you will have to find new primary coverage for her unless she is turning 65 also.

I would make a list of your questions and concerns and call your AT&T HR area and get the scoop from them. Use the comments in this post as a basis for your questions. You will be safer.

[KayakerNC]

Originally Posted by tghoul

I have medical insurance from my former employer (AT&T). Do I need to take Medicare Part B?

Mrs. tghoul (almost 65)

Definitely sign up for Medicare Part A as soon as you are eligible. You've paid for it and there is no cost to you.
If you decide to delay Medicare Part B, there may be a 10% a year cost penalty for each year you delay. That penalty increase is FOREVER.
Does your current insurance offer a cheaper plan, Standard vs Basic, that might ease the costs, if you pick up Medicare?
I currently have BCBS and Medicare, and have had NO out of pocket costs on my healthcare so far (knock on wood)!

If you are still working, you may be able to delay Medicare with no penalty.

[Don H]

Hi all, Interesting reading on the medicare coverage. I just read an article from the NY Times (from April) that it's getting tough to find doctors who take new patients under medicare or who are still entrolled in it at all. We don't live the TV yet, hope to within a year, but has anyone in The Villages area had trouble finding medical services, be it general practitioner or specialists, under medicare? Thanks....

[llaran]

yes, be sure to check with AT&T to see what type of plan they will provide.

medicare A has no premium, B does. I processed claims for 20 yrs and retirees who did not have B. we extimated medicare would have paid 80% and we just considered the 20% balance that would have been left after the medicare payment, then paid that per their plan language. BECAREFUL!

also, check on rx coverage. do is not good but better than nothing, i guess.

if you are a vet, apply for VA benefits, if only for the rx benefits. The Va have relaxed the requirements.

Good Luck!

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by Don H

Hi all, Interesting reading on the medicare coverage. I just read an article from the NY Times (from April) that it's getting tough to find doctors who take new patients under medicare or who are still entrolled in it at all. We don't live the TV yet, hope to within a year, but has anyone in The Villages area had trouble finding medical services, be it general practitioner or specialists, under medicare? Thanks....

I went on Medicare last December and have had no problems with my current providers and the other providers that I have seen this year.