Somebody bring me my walker…my Medicare card came today! Even though it won’t be effective until October, I am feeling more elderly than I did when I woke up this morning. I find it interesting that I am automatically signed up for Part A (free to everyone) and Part B (currently $105/month); if I don’t want Part B I have to “opt out”. My guess is that they have quite a few people who would not sign up for Part B on their own, but it is easier to have it than to quit.
There are crazy decisions to be made on several fronts. Do I need “medi-gap” insurance to cover the things Medicare doesn’t? Or do I go with a Medicare Advantage Plan (which means I can’t have medi-gap insurance). The one that makes me go “hmmmm…” the most is the prescription plan. The directions explain that you can either choose drug coverage when you are first eligible for Medicare, or you can add it later. But if you go more than 63 days without coverage, you will pay a late enrollment penalty to join a plan later. And you will pay the penalty for as long as you continue drug coverage! So they suggest that you might want to get drug coverage, even if you don’t take a lot of drugs now, so you won’t be caught without it later. They suggest, too, that you check the formularies for the various Medicare Prescription Drug Plans in your area, make sure the plans cover the drugs you take, and understand the rules or limits that apply.
So here I sit, taking no prescription drugs, having no on-going health issues (I’m not bragging, I’m grateful), trying to figure out which plan would work best for me. Even without the benefit of a crystal ball, I know that my mom reached her early 70’s before cancer entered her world. Daddy, too, avoided health issues until his mid-70’s. The odds of me going along in my typically healthy fashion are very good.
Meanwhile I will continue burning the candle at both ends, wringing every good moment I can out of this life I’m thrilled to be living. Sixty-five is just a number, right? And it won’t be here for four more months!
triggershorse 
To me, Medical insurance needs to be viewed as an investment and not as a cost. I see many folks fall into the trap of seeing it as a cost. When we do that, we get inclined to shave off parts of it and feel we are being ‘cost smart’. Till we come to grief…..
Great post.
Shakti
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I have been very fortunate with my health so far. Each of my husbands had heart issues; the first one died of an aortal aneurism at 49, the second one is on pacemaker #4. Health insurance has definitely been a blessing. In the past I didn’t concern myself too much with the cost — for over 20 years my employer paid in full for a Cadillac plan for us, then I had access to an excellent plan at a reduced cost from my school district. Now, however, I have to consider the limitations of my retirement budget. I know that somewhere down the line I will need very good insurance; it is now time to do my homework and figure out what will be the best. Thanks for the visit and comment. – Fawn
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It’s true enrolling for Medicare can seem daunting. But with a little time and research you’ll find the plan that’s right for you. Would love to help if we can.
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I’m working on it…thanks for the encouraging! – Fawn
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