2012 Medicare Premiums and Deductibles

2012 Medicare Premiums and Deductibles

Question:  What are my Medicare premiums and deductibles for 2012?

Answer:  Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2012 Medicare premiums and deductibles the end of October, 2011. These figures were not listed in the initial publication of CMS “Medicare and You 2012. Following is a summary of 2012 Medicare premiums and deductibles:

                                           

                                          2012                     2011

Part A Deductible        $1156/Event               $1132/Event

Hospital Days

61-90                    $289/Day                   $283/Day

Hospital Days         

91 & After            $578/Day                    $566/Day

Skilled Nursing

          Facility            $144.50/Day               $141.50/Day

Part B Deductible      $140/Year                    $162/Year

If you have a Medicare Supplement, the Supplement will automatically adjust coverage to reflect the 2012 amounts.

                                    2012                           2011 

Part B Premium       $99.90/month            $115.40/month

Most people who became eligible for Medicare in 2009 or before have been paying $96.40 per month for their Medicare Part B premium 2009 - 2011. Most that became eligible for Medicare in 2010 paid $110.50 per month in 2010 and 2011. Those who became eligible this year(2011)have paid $115.40 per month . All of these people will pay $99.90 per month in 2012, an increase for some, a decrease for others.

People with incomes above $85,000/year may pay a higher premium for their Medicare Part B as well as their Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan coverage. 

Most people pay no premium for Medicare Part A based on their or their spouse’s work credits. For those who must pay a premium for Part A, there has been an increase for the 2012 Part A premium as well.

For complete information about 2012 premiums and deductibles as well as premiums for those with higher incomes or those who must pay a Part A premium, follow this link: http://www.cms.gov/apps/media/press/factsheet.asp?Counter=4140

For answers to your Medicare Questions or to request a quote on a Texas Medicare Supplement or Part D Drug Plan visit www.MedicareAnswersfromConnie.com .

VA Benefits without Medicare After Age 65

VA Benefits without Medicare After Age 65

Question: I am a veteran about to turn 65. I am on Social Security and make 780.00 a month. I go to the VA for medical. Am I required to sign up for Medicare or can I just use the VA?

Answer:  You may continue to just use the VA. You are not required to sign up for Medicare, BUT…  You will receive Medicare Part A premium free, so long as you have earned enough work credits, and because you are receiving Social Security, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B. You may contact Social Security and decline Medicare Part B. If you choose to do this, should you ever decide you want or need Part B, you may only apply during general enrollment, January through March of each year, and Part B will not begin until July of that year. You will also be assessed a premium penalty based on the length of time you have gone without Part B coverage. 

While you don’t have to, I advise you to, enroll in Medicare Part B. There is a very good possibility, based on your income, that you would qualify for extra help through Social Security paying your Part B premium. Whatever you decide, you will need to contact Social Security – 1-800-772-1213. Here is a link to a Medicare Publication about who pays first when you have other health insurance and Medicare   http://www.medicare.gov/publications/pubs/pdf/02179.pdf

Medicare Began July 1, 1966

On Facebook, Medicare Answers From Connie Posted:  Medicare recently had a birthday. When did Medicare begin?

ANSWER:  President Lyndon Johnson signed Medicare in to law on July 30, 1965. Medicare was implemented the following year on July 1, 1966.

Medicare Part B Enrollment

Medicare Part B Enrollment

Question: Do I need to enroll in Medicare Part B when I turn 65? 

Answer:  Maybe.

If you have elected early Social Security retirement or have been on Social Security disability for less than 2 years you SHOULD be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B at age 65. In this case the premium will be deducted monthly from your Social Security check. You still need to verify with Social Security that you are in fact enrolled in Medicare Part B because mistakes can happen. 

If you were born after 1943, your full retirement age is later than age 65. Here is a link for more information about retirement age: http://www.socialsecurity.gov/retire2/agereduction.htm . You very likely may not be receiving Social Security.

If you are not receiving Social Security you will need to contact them and enroll in Medicare Part B – IF YOU NEED IT.

If you are employed by a company with 20 or more employees or are covered under an employed spouse and have health insurance through the employer’s group health plan, you may not need to enroll in Medicare Part B. This group insurance typically is PRIMARY to Medicare. Check with your HR department or the insurance company. When you leave this employer health plan you will have 8 months to enroll in Medicare Part B without a penalty.

If you are employed by a company with less than 20 employees or are covered under an employed spouse and have health insurance through the employer’s group health plan, you will need to enroll in Medicare Part B or receive a penalty should you enroll at a later time.

This group insurance typically is SECONDARY to Medicare. In many cases you will have better benefits at a lower cost if you drop the employer group health plan and use original Medicare with a Medicare Supplement. Social Security will bill you quarterly for the Medicare Part B premiums.

Should you fail to enroll in Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period (3 months prior to and 3 months after your 65^th birthday) or during your special enrollment period after leaving qualified group health coverage (within 8 months after coverage ends) you may only enroll in Medicare Part B during annual enrollment (January through March each year) and your part B coverage will begin the following July. You will also be assessed a premium penalty based on the length of time you have been eligible but without Medicare Part B.

It is VERY important to make sure your Medicare coverage is correct. At age 65 you will receive an approval letter and a Medicare card whether you enroll in Medicare Part B or not (in most cases). Most people get Medicare Part A automatically at age 65 without premium. Check your approval letter for accuracy of coverage and check your Medicare card for accuracy. Make corrections immediately.

For answers to your Medicare Questions or to request a quote on a Texas Medicare Supplement or Part D Drug Plan visit www.MedicareAnswersfromConnie.com .



Medicare and Social Security Disability at Age 65

Medicare and Social Security Disability at Age 65

Question:  I am on Social Security disability. I turn 65 in September. Do I need to do anything and is anything going to change in my disability status?

Answer:  If you have been on disability longer than 25 months, you may be aware that while you can get Medicare in the 25^th month, you can only get a Plan A Medicare Supplement in Texas. If it’s been less than 24 months, congratulations, you can now get Medicare! Once you reach age 65, all Medicare Supplement plans are available to you. If you are interested in getting a Medicare Supplement, you need to apply within six months before or after your 65^th birthday to be in the guarantee issue period. This is your initial enrollment period and after this time you would be required to meet certain underwriting health criteria to qualify. Given your disability, you may not be able to get a Supplement outside this period. 

Your Social Security Disability will stay the same. Because your birth year is 1946, you do not reach full retirement age until you are 66. At that time your status will change with Social Security from disability benefits to retirement benefits but you do not have to do anything and benefits will not change. It’s just bookkeeping with Social Security! Also at age 66(full retirement age) there is not a limit on the amount of income you can earn in addition to your retirement benefits.

Here is a link to Social Security that provides details on allowable earnings prior to and after retirement age:  http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10003.html . Scroll through the page a little, the information you need is down a little!

Medicare, Social Security and the Congressional Deficit Reduction Plan

Medicare, Social Security and the Congressional Deficit Reduction Plan

Question:  What are the proposals Congress is making to cut Medicare and Social Security?

Answer:  Congress is looking at cuts in Medicare and Social Security as part of the deficit reduction plan. Details are veiled but basically involve greater cost sharing on the part of you, the beneficiary. Cost sharing is a popular concept in insurance that simply means you pay more out of your pocket for your care. You can get more information and find out what you can do to take action to prevent Medicare and Social Security cuts by calling 1-866-869-1923, M-F 8-4  CDT. You will talk to an operator, who will guide you through the latest developments and then connect you directly to one of your representatives' offices.

Medicare, Tricare for Life and Dental, Vision and Hearing Aid Benefits

Medicare, Tricare for Life and Coverage for Dental, Vision and Hearing Aids

Question:  Does Medicare cover dental care? vision? hearing aids? The person in question is on Medicare A&B with Tricare for Life as the supplement, and is also on Social Security disability.

Answer:  Medicare does not cover routine dental, vision or hearing aids. Here is a link to details:  http://blog.medicareanswersfromconnie.com/2011/03/medicare-coverage-for-dental-and-vision.html

Tricare for Life does provide some dental coverage; there are also some provisions for obtaining hearing aids. Here is a link to the Tricare For Life Handbook: 

http://www.tricare.mil/mybenefit/ProfileFilter.do;jsessionid=TvcL2V0SMv6TQpXGvzCyCf0yZWvB2dF2RchgpxqJTfWr1f0Zk8cJ!-1473747591?puri=%2Fhome%2Foverview%2FPlans%2FLearnAboutPlansAndCosts%2FTRICAREForLife

I think you’ll find the entire handbook helpful but be sure to check out Page 17 (hearing aids) and Page 21(provisions for dental care).

If the disability is service related, there is a very good possibility there are additional benefits available through the VA. Contact the VA to learn what benefits are available. Here’s a link to numbers for the VA:  https://iris.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1703 

For answers to your Medicare Questions or to request quotes on a Medicare Supplement or Part D Drug plan visit www.MedicareAnswersfromConnie.com.

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