FAQs
Q: When do I get my Medicare card?
A: If you are not receiving Social Security when you turn 65, you will have to contact the Social Security office in person, by phone or online to request your Medicare card. If you are already receiving Social Security, your Medicare card will be sent to you automatically approximately three months before your 65th birthday.
Q: Do I need supplemental Insurance?
A: As you approach 65, you will begin receiving a great amount of information from various insurance companies advertising many supplemental plans to Medicare. Medicare alone does not cover all your medical expenses. It can be very confusing, overwhelming and time consuming to sort through all this information. HealthCare Solution Benefits (HCSB) can help! Call to schedule a FREE consultation during which our licensed consultants will educate you on your rights, options and entitlements empowering you to make an informed decision on what plan suits you best.
Q: I am healthy, only take one prescription drug, and it is very inexpensive. Can I wait until I need coverage before enrolling in a Medicare Part D drug plan?
A: You must have creditable drug coverage once you go on Medicare. If you choose to wait, when you finally do sign up for a Part D plan you will be fined retroactively for each month that you did not have creditable coverage. The fine will be assessed each month along with your Part D plan premium. There are many Part D plans on the market based on an individuals need. When you turn 65, let HCSB do a health care review and help you select the plan that best suits your needs.
Q: My neighbor just told me he doesn’t have to pay a premium for his Medicare plan. I pay over $130 per month. Can I enroll in a plan that does not charge a premium?
A: There are many Medicare plans on the market today, each with their own pros and cons. The benefit of having many options is that most folks can find a plan that suits their individual needs. One size does not fit all when it comes to health insurance. Some folks have health concerns that need to be covered, others have financial concerns that need to be considered. HCSB can help you sort through your options while empowering you to select the plan that makes the most suitable sense.
Q: My doctor has prescribed a new drug that is not covered by my drug plan. There is no generic version. What can I do?
A: Part D plans each have their own formularies (lists of drugs covered by the plan). These formularies may change yearly. It is possible that your drug may be included on your plan’s formulary for the next calendar year. However, there may be a plan available that already includes your new drug. HCSB can help. During the Annual Enrollment Period (AEP), which runs from October 15 through December 7, we can complete a drug plan review of the wide variety of available plans and identify which plan is the most appropriate for your needs.
Q: I heard a rumor that Plan F and Plan C is being eliminated in 2020. Will I have to pick a new plan?
A: It is true that there are changes slated for Medicare in 2020 and Plan F and C will be eliminated. Plan F and C will only be available to people that were on Medicare prior to 2020. Those already signed up for one of those plans will be grandfathered and will be able to keep their Plan F or Plan C.
Individuals turning 65 in 2020 and later will have other options to consider. Please call us to schedule a FREE consultation.
Q: I am turning 65 this year but I do not intend to retire for another few years. I have a health plan from my employer that includes prescription coverage. Do I have to sign up for Medicare?
A: Yes, you should sign up, but you only need to sign up for Part A since there is usually no cost to you if you or your spouse has worked a minimum of 40 quarters (10 years). As long as you have creditable coverage (coverage that is equal to or better than that which is provided by Medicare) you can defer your enrollment in Parts B and D. Contact HCSB when you are ready to evaluate your options, we can help you navigate through your health insurance options.