64 need to look into Medicare

[jym626]

I am watching this thread carefully. I went to lots of presentations last year, but since I am still on DH’s insurance, I am only on Medicare A. I am hoping to stay on his BCBS, especially since right now other than a derm checkup every 6 mos, I just go for an annual PCP and gym physical, neither of which would be covered under medcare. When the time comes I plan to select plan G and then either supplemental under USAA, AARP or BCBS. @calmom are all the options in your state (I will check mine) easily found directly on the individual insurance websites?

[thumper1]

@jym626

It all depends on your Medicare plan. ALL of the plans cover your PCP annual physical.

My plan doesn’t require referrals from my PCP, and my copay per visit is $5. Includes the dermatologist, and any other specialist.

BUT YMMV on this…depending on the plan.

You will get TONS of mail about Medicare plans especially now…during open enrollment period. It’s worse than the unsolicited junk mail from colleges.

[bookworm]

Jym626
Also look at United American. They offer a discount to females. Also, since I didn’t use it too much last year, they lowered my premium.

[jym626]

Will look. Not familiar with them. Wonder if they serve my area.

[bookworm]

I have at least 6 patients with this insurance.

[jym626]

@thumper1 - My understanding is that Medicare covers an annual wellness visit, not a physical. They are not the same. Medicare covers a one time “welcome” preventative visit, which looks to include slightly more, but thereafter it’s JUST a “wellness” check. http://www.communitycare.com/News/Health-Blog-Article?URLName=Medicare-Annual-Wellness-Visit-vs-an-Annual-Physical

Medicare will cover an annual wellness visit, but not an annual physical. “Well,” you might ask “what’s the difference?” During a Medicare annual wellness visit, the provider will measure height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and blood pressure. The provider will also go over your medical history, family medical history, and any potential risk factors for preventable diseases such as Type II diabetes and depression.

An annual physical is a more extensive exam than a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit. In addition to these services, a typical annual physical might also include services such as a vital signs check, lung exam, head and neck exam, abdominal exam, neurological exam, and a check of your reflexes. Any blood work or lab tests that may be part of a physical exam, are also not included under a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit.

https://www.medicare.gov/coverage/preventive-visit-yearly-wellness-exams

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) covers:
A “Welcome to Medicare” preventive visit: You can get this visit only within the first 12 months you have Part B. This visit includes a review of your medical and social history related to your health and education and counseling about preventive services, including these:
Certain screenings, flu and pneumococcal shots, and referrals for other care, if needed.
Height, weight, and blood pressure measurements.
A calculation of your body mass index.
A simple vision test.
A review of your potential risk for depression and your level of safety.
An offer to talk with you about creating advance directives.
A written plan letting you know which screenings, shots, and other preventive services you need. Get details about coverage for screenings, shots, and other preventive services.
This visit is covered one time. You don’t need to have this visit to be covered for yearly “Wellness” visits.

Yearly “Wellness” visits: If you’ve had Part B for longer than 12 months, you can get this visit to develop or update a personalized prevention help plan. This plan is designed to help prevent disease and disability based on your current health and risk factors. Your provider will ask you to fill out a questionnaire, called a “Health Risk Assessment,” as part of this visit. Answering these questions can help you and your provider develop a personalized prevention plan to help you stay healthy and get the most out of your visit. It can also include:
A review of your medical and family history
Developing or updating a list of current providers and prescriptions.
Height, weight, blood pressure, and other routine measurements.
Detection of any cognitive impairment.
Personalized health advice.
A list of risk factors and treatment options for you.
A screening schedule (like a checklist) for appropriate preventive services. Get details about coverage for screenings, shots, and other preventive services.
Advance care planning
This visit is covered once every 12 months.

[jym626]

I got TONS of medicare mail earlier this year, when I was turning 65. So far this enrollment period, thankfully, not so much. But, between the medicare enrollment period and election time, I get tons of phone calls—- they get sent to voicemail. Wish AT&T had nomorobo available. I keep the landline so they don’t get my cellphone #!

[calmom]

I am not getting direct phone calls (that I pick up), but have noticed a huge uptick on calls with no message left, to my former landline number, which now routes directly to Google voice. I’m guessing those are either telemarketers or scammers, though probably political canvassers as well, this being an election year.

[thumper1]

Ive been getting robocalls on my cell phone from an area code close to here…call after call after call…and they leave a message about health insurance and how they can help me.

I have no idea how they got my cell number.

I’ve blocked more than 20 of these numbers.

[shellfell]

I got those same calls on my cell. At first, they had an Iowa location, then they had a NJ location. I would get them for several times a day over several days & then they’d stop. I never answered them. I’m not eligible for Medicare yet, but the voicemail just mentioned health insurance in general.

[Iglooo]

Me. too. I beat you @shellfell. I got one from Australia! They are disingenuous. They say they are Medicare help center.

[MaineLonghorn]

We’re getting lots of those calls for DH.

[oldmom4896]

No calls here but tons of junk mail.

[NYMomof2]

Does anyone know how to get proof of creditable coverage to avoid the delayed enrollment penalty for Medicare B? I am 68 and still working, with good insurance from my employer. When I turned 65, I was married and covered under my ex-husband’s insurance from his employer. About 2 years later, I was divorced and switched to my employer’s insurance. Both are very large companies.

I have been vaguely aware that when the time comes to sign up for part B I would need to demonstrate that I’ve been continuously insured since turning 65. I get yearly notices of creditable coverage from my employer. I called Medicare today to ask about this, and they actually had the information about my coverage through my employer in their system. They didn’t have anything on the earlier coverage.

Does anyone know where I can get the proof? From my ex-husband’s employer, or from the old insurance company? (I’ve read through most of this thread and I haven’t found this discussed.)

[jym626]

There is a form that Medicare can give you (hopefully its downloadable) that you can ask ex H’s HR/benefits dept to fill out/sign for you as proof of credible coverage.

[NYMomof2]

Thank you! I was actually looking for the information on the Medicare site, but didn’t find it.

[NYMomof2]

Thanks very much, jym626. I managed to find the form on the CMS website. It looks straightforward enough.

If anyone else needs the form, it’s CMS-L564.

[bookworm]

Congrats. It Is difficult to
Find the form but tocompltei

U

Y

[Iglooo]

I got my medicare card today! I didn’t apply for it. I guess they knew it was about time.

[thumper1]

@Iglooo

Are you already collecting social security? If you are, your Medicare card just arrives in the mail…poof…because you are already in their system…about 90 days before your 65th birthday.

That’s what happened with me…my Medicare card came…and i was given the option of doing nothing and having parts A and B…or declining part B. Easy peasy.