I got my Medicare card today, I'm not 65 yet, but I got it!

I turn 65 more than 90 days from now... but the literature tells me "Welcome to Medicaure"!

Then it goes on to talk about part A and part B and how part A is free and I have to pay for part B.

I'm not the stupidest person posting on the DU, but I might be pretty stupid. I thought all this went into effect on my 65th birthday... not now. What gives?

Of course, I will figure out the part B part, (I take medications costing me less than $15 a month so it's no big thing until I have some new need for expensive medicine.)

Any advice, private message or public message is welcome here. Do I actually have hospital coverage as of today and can give up my insurance? Does this notice just come 3+ months before taking effect?

Can I go to the hospital tonight and pay less than my co-pay from my current insurance?

Is this a Democratic plot to get me to vote against any Republican, (not that I already wouldn''t)?

What is all this literature about that I have to read soon? Anyone got the "cliff notes" version about all this material?

Why do Americans like me have to read 100+ pages of material to figure this out? In England, or France, where I used to live and work, I just had to register, and if I didn't,I was covered when I broke my leg anyway, if I just signed the forms in the hospital, and was covered if I died, anyway, without signing.

unless you are on disability in which case the rules are different. The effective date should be on the card. The part b does not pay for RX. It pays for dr visits and fees, in or out of the hospital, lab fees etc. Unless you or a spouse is still working and you are covered under an employee plan, it would probably be a mistake to opt out of the part b. The RX plan is called part d. Be careful in not signing up for an RX plan - if you don't it can cost you $$ down the road. For questions call 1 800 medicare.

you're actually dealing with an insurance company. Depending on the state you reside it could be CIGNA, BCBS, AETNA, Palmetto,
Cahaba. Cigna just sold their Medicare contract to BCBS who is being sued and investigated by the Department of Justice for price fixing
and antitrust violations. They all bid for federal Medicare contracts on a continuing basis. The Federal Government does not actually have people in their employee that administer Medicare. One carrier may be better at doing their job than the other.
CIGNA's Part B states are Kentucky, North Carolina, Idaho and Ohio. BCBS of South Carolina will be taking over from them.

I didn't realize that a corporation under investigation by the DOJ would be able to buy a contract outright.
http://ducknetweb.blogspot.com/2011/03/department-of-justice-investigating.html
http://www.justice.gov/usao/iln/pr/chicago/2011/pr0224_01.pdf

So, how about thanking your lucky stars, voting Democrat and maybe using your good fortune to spread the truth about medicare to any less informed voting friends you might have. Not meaning to snark at you, but just need for you to keep it in perspective. There is an entire cohort of individuals that are being aged out of the job market without the means to retire and with no health coverage at all. I am devastated realizing that some of my friends will likely die prematurely for that reason.

That said, you might get the best advice on medicare coverages and plans in the Seniors forum, as I believe there are posts there. Good luck.

Yes, the "cliff notes" were helpful. And thanks for the advice!

I think Medicare shouldn't start their letters to people 3+ months early with "welcome to Medicare"..as if I am already ON Medicare!!! That's just plain misleading.

your birth month. The date is right on the card. The Part B premium will be deducted from your social security payment, if you're receiving Social Security. You'll probably want to get a supplement that covers the 20% not covered by Medicare. About $100 or so per month, depending on the plan. You can add Part D, if you feel the need.

I went on Medicare last year. Where I was paying $900/mo for individual health insurance, I now pay $220, and almost everything is done with no co-pay whatever, since I have the supplement. It's a very, very good thing, is Medicare.