USA newly enrolled Medicare question

[BobTH]

I recently turned 65  on October 4th, 2017 and I have been collecting social security for a year now. I went to the online social security site that also has medicare information and the site verifies that when I turned 65 that I was enrolled automatically in Medicare. It show me as enrolled. Now, I have not received anything in the mail telling me this, no card, no information what so ever. My question is: is this the norm? If anyone of you became of age while living in Thailand, and were enrolled did you get a card or any correspondence in the mail? I plan to enroll in Medicare part B but I am going to wait until the first of the new year and enroll in January which is the last month I can and not be penalized. I have talked to the Medicare people at the Philippines US Embassy about this already. Just wondering if anyone can tell me if I should have received a Medicare Card or any other information. Thanks in advance.

[ubonjoe]

I received a letter here a few months before my 65th birthday informing me I would be eligible and giving me an opportunity to enroll in part B. It also included a card for part A effective the first day of the month I turned 65.

Is your registered address for here or the states?

[Sheryl]

I filled out a form to enroll in Part A and subsequently got a card in the mail.

 

I think if you use it in the US they will ask to see your Medicare card so should request one.

[BobTH]

Thanks Joe and Sheryl. I think there has been some problem with my address and that is why everything is not going like it should. I will send them a letter and try to get it corrected. When I tried to contact Social Security in the Philippines to start collecting it, they did not respond so I applied online at the US website and that worked. I also got a couple of forms asking for my correct address and the letter said to send it back to a USA address which I did and never heard a thing back. So I think I need to contact the Philippines office to straighten it out. Thanks again. 

[Blue bruce]

You can contact the social Security offive in the states directly via Skype. 

 

You should have a medicarecard when you visit a doctor in the states.

Also a VPN Works on there 800 number in the U.S. 

[BobTH]

As a follow up I received my Medicare card in the mail here yesterday November 21, 2017, I turned 65 on October 4 so I would say that was late for some reason, but why I do not know. I sent 2 emails to the Medicare office at the embassy in Manila first telling them I hadn't received anything and then updating them and telling them it came yesterday. I have heard nothing back from them, as was the case when I was trying to apply for Social Security. I have talked to them on the phone after waiting for 30 minutes but they do not seem to want to reply to my emails. Anyway I have the card and thanks for all of your comments.

[steven2018]

If you are living overseas, why are you enrolled in Part B Medicare? Unless you are planning on returning to the States in the future and want to avoid the yearly penalty. If you are planning on returning to the States, then it might be wise to enroll in Part D (drug plan) if you delay that enrollment you can also be penalized

[BobTH]

12 hours ago, steven2018 said:

If you are living overseas, why are you enrolled in Part B Medicare? Unless you are planning on returning to the States in the future and want to avoid the yearly penalty. If you are planning on returning to the States, then it might be wise to enroll in Part D (drug plan) if you delay that enrollment you can also be penalized

I will apply for part B because at this time I am not sure where I will be in the next few years and if I have major health problems I can always to back for treatment. I am also still considering Part D.

[oldcarguy]

What is the price range for Part B and Part D,

 

Is there one plan that seems better than the others ?  

Does it matter what state you live in ?

 

I would like to have the least hassle possible if I ever get real sick , and not have some paper pusher decide if I am sick enough for treatment ,

 

I do not mind paying more as just one day hospital stay would pay the  extra cost.....

 

thanks for your thoughts

[steven2018]

My numbers may be off - Per month Part B $109, Part D varies around $30+ (these numbers are the buy in cost without the yearly penalty). A hospital stay under original Medicare is around $1800 on day one, and that covers days 1 to 60(?). I doubt that Medicare will accept a foreign doctor diagnosis, and may require a diagnosis from a doctor in the US. Good luck finding a doctor in the US that takes standalone original Medicare by itself

 

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[Langsuan Man]

28 minutes ago, steven2018 said:

(these numbers are the buy in cost without the yearly penalty).

Retirees, especially those facing Required Minimum Distributions after 70 1/2, need to be aware of this chart:

source: https://www.medicareinteractive.org/get-answers/how-original-medicare-works/original-medicare-cost-overview/what-you-pay-for-part-b-if-your-income-is-high

[Pib]

1 hour ago, steven2018 said:

My numbers may be off - Per month Part B $109, Part D varies around $30+ (these numbers are the buy in cost without the yearly penalty). A hospital stay under original Medicare is around $1800 on day one, and that covers days 1 to 60(?). I doubt that Medicare will accept a foreign doctor diagnosis, and may require a diagnosis from a doctor in the US. Good luck finding a doctor in the US that takes standalone original Medicare by itself

 

The folks who still get Medicare Part B for $109/mo that's because they have been protected under the Hold Harmless rule for several years due to no or very low Social Security COLA increases.  But those folks protected under the Hold Harmless rule are in for a surprise for their 2018 Part B premiums.   Since the SS COLA for 2018 is a 2% increase that means the Hold Harmless rule is not in effect and for some people their entire 2% SS pension increase could easily end up going to their new Part B premium cost which is remaining at $134 for 2018....same as for 2017. 

 

More info below from a post I made in a related thread.  Per the Social Security Administration most people will be paying around $130 in 2018 (that's an average amount) who had been protected under the Hold Harmless rule with most other folks paying the standard/current $134/mo premium  like if your are just starting Part B.  And of course higher income and other folks do pay more like in shown in LSM's post above.

 

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Medicare Part B premium for 2018 to be $134...same as $134 for 2017.  See this Medicare webpage. 

 

And here's the Medicare webpage for the 17 Nov 17 news announcement regarding 2018 premiums.

 

So, for those folks who have paying significantly less than $134/month due to being protected under the Hold Harmless rule, I expect most/all of your 2% Social Security increase will go towards your new Part B premium amount. 

 

A few snapshots/partial quotes from above weblinks.

 

 

  Quote

The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $134 for 2018, the same amount as in 2017. Some beneficiaries who were held harmless against Part B premium increases in prior years will have a Part B premium increase in 2018, but the premium increase will be offset by the increase in their Social Security benefits next year.

[steven2018]

Haven't received the notice from Medicare yet, however due to the 2% COLA (as mentioned) and the projected 2018 premium of $134 (or less) the net result should be a 'wash'.

 

For those planning to use Medicare to return to ths States if major health issues come up, it could be difficult and expensive (original Medicare Part B only covers 80% of the medical cost) unless you are enrolled in a Medicare Supplement Plan or Medicare Advantage Plan (Medicare Part C).

 

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[Sheryl]

Ah, if only there were a Medicare Advantage plan that covers care outside the US!!!

[Pib]

1 hour ago, steven2018 said:

Haven't received the notice from Medicare yet, however due to the 2% COLA (as mentioned) and the projected 2018 premium of $134 (or less) the net result should be a 'wash'.

 

Yeap in your case that's true and for others who were paying significantly less that $134 due to the Hold Harmless rule protecting them in past years.   However, for folks who were already enrolled in Medicare Part B in 2017 paying $134/mo they will get to see the entire 2% COLA increase in the SS pension since their Part B premium will remain unchanged.

 

 

[joealx]

17 hours ago, steven2018 said:

If you are living overseas, why are you enrolled in Part B Medicare? Unless you are planning on returning to the States in the future and want to avoid the yearly penalty. If you are planning on returning to the States, then it might be wise to enroll in Part D (drug plan) if you delay that enrollment you can also be penalized

In my insurance plan,a federal govt. plan, it waives coinsurance and deductibles, even overseas, if you have Medicare A/B.

[BobTH]

On 11/22/2017 at 7:29 PM, steven2018 said:

If you are living overseas, why are you enrolled in Part B Medicare? Unless you are planning on returning to the States in the future and want to avoid the yearly penalty. If you are planning on returning to the States, then it might be wise to enroll in Part D (drug plan) if you delay that enrollment you can also be penalized

 also, it is my understanding from all I have researched that if you live out of the country you can't enroll in Medicare Part D, a Medicare Advantage program or Medigap plan. 

[BobTH]

Here is a new link I found very informative.... Most People With Medicare Part B Will Pay Higher Premiums in 2018

 

https://www.thestreet.com/story/14404346/1/most-people-with-medicare-part-b-will-pay-higher-premiums-in-2018.html?puc=yahoo&cm_ven=YAHOO&yptr=yahoo