This thread is only about and for those that plan or have no other option than to live and die in Thailand.

After some fairly careful consideration I have declined Part B. For myself it makes absolutely no sense financially and logistically. Moreover, the Social Security pamphlet clearly discusses that people living overseas cannot have Medicare Advantage.

We all receive Part A but I doubt I will even use that. Even flying back with an emergency and going to the emergency room can cost tens of thousands. You'll be under observation for any number of days for which that is out of pocket expense. Even after you get checked in you're still paying 20% of whatever the the bill happens to total. Add to this the observation fees / ER, medicine, etc. You won't have Medicare advantage so your ass will be out in the wind here.

It seems more prudent and expedient just to navigate the Thai health care system.

I'm pretty healthy mid 60s and do have a medical savings, I contribute 5k a month as well.

I'd be interested in other opinions but my mind is pretty set in stone

I was supposed to receive tie government insurance SSO but I got scammed out of that by some caveat that was added 6 months before I retired. Such is life. While I would never really want to use that insurance it could come in handy and a serious situation. A loss I don't need to worry about it

Edited May 4May 4 by StarOfLight

It's a personal financial decision.

I'm paying the Part B and have no plans to repatriate.

But so many people eventually do repatriate often re;lated to health.

That 10 percent a year penalty adds up.

If a time comes when I really need the Part B money, then I would cancel it.

If that time comes, there will be fewer penalty years if repatriating.

There is no right or wrong answer to this for everybody.

Edited May 4May 4 by Jingthing

I'm married (15 yrs). There's no way I can afford to repatriate myself with my wife. Moreover, I wouldn't want to deal with the multi year wait now that DCF has been abandoned

This year... about 2425.00 plus 300 out of pocket. That gets you 80% insured. Add the air ticket (2), hotel (?) if going strictly for outpatient services. Just the annual on B over next ten years is likely to be like 30k

I was recently back in April and I downright dislike the place and that was Boca Raton and Orange County CA. Two non shi*holes

Thanks for your input.

Edited May 4May 4 by StarOfLight

I just take it as a worst case scenario situation. I pay that 2K plus per year now so that in the highly unlikely and somewhat illogical event that I'm in an earthquake and require a heart-lung transplant I can have it done under Medicare in the US. And so that my child in the US has my valid Medicare card in hand if I am delivered from the airport to her doorstep.

I'm sure it's not the financially optimal solution, but it's the one that's the least hassle if I'm ever in that situation.

Edited May 4May 4 by retiree

Just now, retiree said:

I just take it as a worst case scenario situation. I pay that 2K plus per year now so that in the highly unlikely and somewhat illogical event that I'm in an earthquake and require a heart-lung transplant I can have it done under Medicare in the US. And so that my child in the US has my valid Medicare card in hand if I am delivered from the airport to her doorstep.

I'm sure it's not the financially optimal solution, but it's the one that's the least hassle if I'm ever in that situation.

Thanks. Having some sort of base to fall back on makes sense if you're going to be paying 2k a year into the ether

I've no home, child. At best a good friend that will probably live another ten years. I'm very welcome there and just visited, but my problems will probably begin after her departs

For me it didn't make sense to take part B as I plan to die here. For the cost of part B I have good insurance here with Thai Life that I'm very happy with. Only advice I would have is to self insure or get reliable insurance. It's much easier to get insurance when you are under 60. When I did the calculations even considering the 10% penalty per year it made sense not to take it.

I’m 74 American and I will die here. However, I pay into all parts of my Medicare plan. Three operations in Pattaya I paid out of pocket. I had everything in English and American dollars (which I had to do myself) and I paid by an American credit card which I took a snapshot of my credit card statement on what I paid the hospital. On my hospital’s website I submitted the paperwork to be reimbursed and I got 90% back. This year I flew to Hawaii to renew my state I.D. and had to go to Kaiser hospital emergency for an intestinal blockage. They operated and there was no cost for the operation and hospital stay (no charge). I paid under a dollar for my two medicines. I’m back in Thailand and I’ll keep paying into all options in my Medicare plan even though I’m going to die here.

19 minutes ago, kawikasudo said:

I’m 74 American and I will die here. However, I pay into all parts of my Medicare plan. Three operations in Pattaya I paid out of pocket. I had everything in English and American dollars (which I had to do myself) and I paid by an American credit card which I took a snapshot of my credit card statement on what I paid the hospital. On my hospital’s website I submitted the paperwork to be reimbursed and I got 90% back. This year I flew to Hawaii to renew my state I.D. and had to go to Kaiser hospital emergency for an intestinal blockage. They operated and there was no cost for the operation and hospital stay (no charge). I paid under a dollar for my two medicines. I’m back in Thailand and I’ll keep paying into all options in my Medicare plan even though I’m going to die here.

Interesting, thanks

On the Thai hospital website in Pattaya (assume BPH) you directly submitted simple payment information and we're reimbursed by medicare? Medicare Advantage maybe... which you should not hold living abroad

I'm a bit lost.

As for you in Hawaii... I understand as you are present in country that accepting Medicare A would be no problem and being hospitalized for it. I'm curious if you were admitted to ER first for observation. Given that you subscribe to all types of Medicare you're obviously going to be covered anyway. I just don't see that as viable for me but I appreciate your input and I'm glad it worked for you

If you went to Kaiser you must be enrolled in Kaiser So this makes me think that you got some sort of connection to the States. It also makes me think that you have Medicare Advantage. Medicare treated the medical procedures in Thailand is some sort of emergency situation. At least that's what it looks like to me.

You're in the Kaiser network so obviously you went there but I'm wondering if you know anything about Queens hospital? How is that service there? Seems like that might be a good place to land with an emergency from Thailand

This is not meant to be a slight but you say you are living and going to die here but you are extremely connected to the States.

Thank you

Edited May 6May 6 by StarOfLight

This isn't a mystery.

If you're an actual expat you are supposed to inform Social Security of your foreign address.

Your Medicare address will be the same. They can't be different.

However, many expats FRAUDELENTY do keep a U.S. address on record with SS.

Thus the Medicare address will also be a U.S. address and then they can enroll in Medicare Advantage (where the plans are based on your specific US zip code).

With Medicare Advantage depending on the specific plan as they are private, you can often be covered for acute emergencies abroad.

Like travel insurance.
For SNOWBIRD types living part time in Mexico, that is legit.

For those living basically full time in Thailand, it is fraud.

People doing that NEVER tell the Advantage insurance companies that they are actully expats because in that case, they would be cut off immediately.

For Snowbirds it kind of makes sense.

An emergency in Mexico would cost the company a lot less than the same thing in the U.S.

Edited May 7May 7 by Jingthing

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

This isn't a mystery.

If you're an actual expat you are supposed to inform Social Security of your foreign address.

Your Medicare address will be the same. They can't be different.

However, many expats FRAUDELENTY do keep a U.S. address on record with SS.

Thus the Medicare address will also be a U.S. address and then they can enroll in Medicare Advantage (where the plans are based on your specific US zip code).

With Medicare Advantage depending on the specific plan as they are private, you can often be covered for acute emergencies abroad.

Like travel insurance.
For SNOWBIRD types living part time in Mexico, that is legit.

For those living basically full time in Thailand, it is fraud.

People doing that NEVER tell the Advantage insurance companies that they are actully expats because in that case, they would be cut off immediately.

Understood.

Despite this guy 'living' in Thailand I think he's well connected enough to be able to have all that Medicare set up. Here's why... He was in Hawaii has to have somewhere to stay. I presume that is a home or family's residence. He is still somehow connected well enough to stay in a Kaiser HMO. For myself I probably wouldn't have submitted the insurance and it's really interesting that he stated that you can do so through a portal on the hospital website.

It does look kind of shonky but I think given his probable residence, probably set up all that Medicare stuff in the States, is connected to Kaiser HMO Network which that's probably where and how he was reimbursed. I'm also guessing and it's just a guess that he's not been out here all that long.

He's extremely well insured and that's great for him. Nevertheless, I think that he was paid out by Medicare and Kaiser or maybe just Kaiser? So, I'm not at all certain that paying all that money into Medicare for him especially being out here is any benefit whatsoever. Of course, he can always run back to Hawaii if he needs something and that's the benefit ultimately

It's pretty borderline and I wouldn't have submitted for reimbursement overseas, but glad it worked for him and it's working for him

Edit

In the Medicare booklet that I received here in Thailand It's specifically stays that people overseas are not allowed/privileged to take advantage of Medicare Advantage. Specifically

Edited May 7May 7 by StarOfLight

I personally don't think it's borderline.

I think for actual expats it is indeed fraud when you make a claim based on a rule you're not following.

But weirdly, I've never heard of any enforcement around this issue.

Another thing I'm curious about is that I do know that the Advantage companies will drop you if you tell them you're an expat regardless of their being a US address on record, it seems to me for large claims abroad they would be doing some investigation if its legit, and also if you did get a claim and they later learn you were lying, do they demand the money back or worse?

Be clear I think expats should by policy be able to use Medicare abroad, but we're not, so I'm curious about how so many people are getting away with this apparent loophole.

It's huge in Mexico and Panama.

It's almost as if they know and don't want to enforce the rules.

I dropped out of health insurance in Thailand when I was 65. The annual cost was sky rocketing as I got older. I'm 81 now, with no serious medical conditions. I walk 90 minutes daily, watch what I eat and I've drastically reduced my booze intake. I've instructed my wife that if I get a life threatening medical condition to by pass the hospital at all cost. Get a doctor that will give me the appropiate pain killers and let me die peacefully in our home.

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

I personally don't think it's borderline.

I think for actual expats it is indeed fraud when you make a claim based on a rule you're not following.

But weirdly, I've never heard of any enforcement around this issue.

Another thing I'm curious about is that I do know that the Advantage companies will drop you if you tell them you're an expat regardless of their being a US address on record, it seems to me for large claims abroad they would be doing some investigation if its legit, and also if you did get a claim and they later learn you were lying, do they demand the money back or worse?

Be clear I think expats should by policy be able to use Medicare abroad, but we're not, so I'm curious about how so many people are getting away with this apparent loophole.

It's huge in Mexico and Panama.

It's almost as if they know and don't want to enforce the rules.

Maybe it's just overwhelming like so much other government nonsense to fix. Medicine is so broken and it seems like the cheaters are always the winners.

Something else... Maybe they just risk it because there's nothing to lose? You're never going to use any Medicare BC or D. Medicare A is a long shot at best using it in the States. Sign up for the whole damn thing and why not

For myself I simply don't have 500 a month nor would I pay to drop on B and Medicare Advantage. $6,000 a year would go very far towards my medical care in Thailand if needed. That's 60,000 plus interest over 10 years ... pretty much covering two heart transplants lol

I totally agree that expatriates should be able to use Medicare... obviously. Even if they set up specific hospitals, accredited. Even if they required forms and reimbursement. Even if it's only part A hospital only.

I know too many people that abuse the system back in states and out here. Bull<deleted> disability claims, bull<deleted> medical claims, fudged residency, all the illegals getting medical care.

On my last trip back I found out that the Iranian community is abusing Medi-Cal to get free upper blephoplasties. This is a totally cosmetic procedure and it's old people, housewives that are taking advantage of this.

The whole thing is a scam. I'm glad I'm out here because it's going to break I just hope I'm prepared.

Edited May 7May 7 by StarOfLight

21 minutes ago, NONG CHOK said:

I dropped out of health insurance in Thailand when I was 65. The annual cost was sky rocketing as I got older. I'm 81 now, with no serious medical conditions. I walk 90 minutes daily, watch what I eat and I've drastically reduced my booze intake. I've instructed my wife that if I get a life threatening medical condition to by pass the hospital at all cost. Get a doctor that will give me the appropiate pain killers and let me die peacefully in our home.

That sounds kinda depressing you're only 81.

Yeah, I could definitely cut back on the booze, but the lab test always look okay

Perhaps you've no money for the hospital? I'm not judging just stating.

I never looked into tie insurance because it always just looked like a scam. The older you get the closer you are to being dropped and paying more annually for the privilege of doing so

I married at 50 wife was 32. I plan to leave her something but I'm not going to die early to leave her more money to live on when I'm gone. I figure if I match her current salary for the rest of her life that's plenty obligation for someone I married at 32.

Anyway thanks for your input this is about Medicare.

On 5/4/2026 at 10:32 PM, Jingthing said:

It's a personal financial decision.

I'm paying the Part B and have no plans to repatriate.

But so many people eventually do repatriate often re;lated to health.

That 10 percent a year penalty adds up.

If a time comes when I really need the Part B money, then I would cancel it.

If that time comes, there will be fewer penalty years if repatriating.

There is no right or wrong answer to this for everybody.

Even though I been living in Thailand for 22 years. I keep a Hawaii phone number $30 a month and I have a Thai Iphone that supports two sim cards which is my Hawaii phone and my Thai phone. I have a permanent address in Hawaii. I file my taxes using my Hawaii address and Hawaii State I.D. When I filed for reimbursement from a Thai hospital I list it as emergency while traveling abroad. I talked to the Kaiser hospital staff when I was there and they were ok with it. I’m not the first person that is born, raised and retired in Hawai’i then went to another country.

1 hour ago, kawikasudo said:

Even though I been living in Thailand for 22 years. I keep a Hawaii phone number $30 a month and I have a Thai Iphone that supports two sim cards which is my Hawaii phone and my Thai phone. I have a permanent address in Hawaii. I file my taxes using my Hawaii address and Hawaii State I.D. When I filed for reimbursement from a Thai hospital I list it as emergency while traveling abroad. I talked to the Kaiser hospital staff when I was there and they were ok with it. I’m not the first person that is born, raised and retired in Hawai’i then went to another country.

Try this buddy.

Call your Medicare Advantage insurance company right now on your US phone.

Tell.them you live full.time in Thailand.

They'll cancel you on the spot.

You've been comitting fraud 100 percent.

Very lucrative fraud as you've made big claims.

Edited May 7May 7 by Jingthing

Expanding on my previous comments about using Medicare Advantage when you're actually living abroad as "fraud" I can understand that is a very strong word.

Do you have a better way to describe it?

Now there are different levels of fraud. I think that it is a fraudelent action to pose as a US resident as I do for various US financial accounts because there is a known history of people having problems when they are honest. I do this but I don't receive any financial benefit from doing so other than keeping my accounts open.

So just like there are "white" lies perhaps that is "white" fraud.

But if you're making financial gains surely that is quite a bit more of a significant journey into the land of fraud? Or am I wrong? I don't think so.

Especially as is almost always the case the people doing this have full awareness of what they're doing and take pains to not reveal to the insurers that they are actually living abroad. If it was really legit, why would they know they need to deceive the insurers?

To expand on this, when you're dealing with a broker promoting this sort of fraud (helping you pick the best plans for you in your zip code for this purpose) they will strongly advise clients to NEVER tell the insurers that they are actually expats (and thus ineligible for even having Medicare Advantage at all).

I get why people do this. There are brokers and retire abroad promoters on youtube etc. who actively push this. In some locations in Mexico and Panama it's easy to feel "everybody does it" so it's really OK as there are even clinics that specialize in such Medicare claims (which are legit for snowbirds, but not expats). Not here to give morality lectures but rather to openly face what is going on with this.

www.expatinsurance.com/medicare

A reference --

There Are NO Medicare Advantage Plans for Expats

No CMS-approved Medicare Advantage plans exist for Americans living permanently abroad. Despite what some brokers may claim, there is no legal way to maintain Medicare Advantage coverage while residing full-time in another country.

Edited May 7May 7 by Jingthing

Well y'all know I'm going crap out here, hopefully not too soon. 25+ years, and cancelled Plan B shortly after I had it, less than 1 year, knowing I'll never use it.

Quick average of $150 a month for 23 yrs = ~$41.4k / ฿1.33M, and don't think I can get that sick. Medical cost so far over 23 years, past 3.5 year only ones that hurt ...

100k ... 25 yrs of almost yearly check ups (private)

50k ... hemorrhoid (private)

30k ... endo/colonoscopy (govt) ... pre Oct 2022

210k ... stents (2) (govt) post Oct 2022

93k ... cataract (private) this week

90k... cataract (private) within next 6 months

60k ... tooth implant, (private) sometime in future

฿633k ... round up to ฿700k, missed a crown, and misc.

So about half what Plan B would have cost, aside from 20% that Plan A wouldn't cover. Of course, doesn't include flights and or hotels, or GP & specialist cost to even get seen and schedule anything to get done.

Yea, I'm staying put, @ 71 years young, and liking my Thai options.

Thankfully all those minor expenses came out of pocket money, and never had to touch my med oops fund. So way ahead on the medical Plan B, and probably private insurance premium curve.

Personal choice of course to roll the dice as I have. Know your family history, and get a check up every once in a while. Quite revealing, and may avoid some issues, or clue you in, maybe time to get some insurance.

For us Yanks, if curious, closest US hospital that I know of that takes Medicare, is Guam. A small, low populated island, so there's that, good or bad, and haven't a clue which. Not all docs accept Medicare there, 2 hospitals do.

Closest doesn't mean fastest to get there vs west coast or HNL, but, due to low population, may actually be seen quicker. Something to consider for expensive elective surgery.

BE SAFE

Edited May 7May 7 by KhunLA

31 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Well y'all know I'm going crap out here, hopefully not too soon. 25+ years, and cancelled Plan B shortly after I had it, less than 1 year, knowing I'll never use it.

Quick average of $150 a month for 23 yrs = ~$41.4k / ฿1.33M, and don't think I can get that sick. Medical cost so far over 23 years, past 3.5 year only ones that hurt ...

100k ... 25 yrs of almost yearly check ups (private)

50k ... hemorrhoid (private)

30k ... endo/colonoscopy (govt) ... pre Oct 2022

210k ... stents (2) (govt) post Oct 2022

93k ... cataract (private) this week

90k... cataract (private) within next 6 months

60k ... tooth implant, (private) sometime in future

฿633k ... round up to ฿700k, missed a crown, and misc.

So about half what Plan B would have cost, aside from 20% that Plan A wouldn't cover. Of course, doesn't include flights and or hotels, or GP & specialist cost to even get seen and schedule anything to get done.

Yea, I'm staying put, @ 71 years young, and liking my Thai options.

Thankfully all those minor expenses came out of pocket money, and never had to touch my med oops fund. So way ahead on the medical Plan B, and probably private insurance premium curve.

Personal choice of course to roll the dice as I have. Know your family history, and get a check up every once in a while. Quite revealing, and may avoid some issues, or clue you in, maybe time to get some insurance.

For us Yanks, if curious, closest US hospital that I know of that takes Medicare, is Guam. A small, low populated island, so there's that, good or bad, and haven't a clue which. Not all docs accept Medicare there, 2 hospitals do.

Closest doesn't mean fastest to get there vs west coast or HNL, but, due to low population, may actually be seen quicker. Something to consider for expensive elective surgery.

BE SAFE

Thanks for that 👍👍 That's exactly the kind of response I was looking for. I'm super appreciate it.

Yeah, B just doesn't make sense If you live and die here. Actually A doesn't make sense either, but it's free 555. I think the people that carry B have some back of their mind plan to return to States. Maybe it's a full-on plan 😂

I've not calculated it fully and there's no I telling where Medicare costs are headed beyond the stratosphere but a 10% penalty let's say is $40 a month (it's 20 now) That's 500 bucks roughly year. Let's say you're back for 15 years before you croak. That's an additional 7,500 over lifetime.

Currently, it costs 2400 a year to hold B. So, my drunken back of the napkin math says not paying for plan B for 3 years covers a penalty for 15 years. After that your money ahead even if you return home and take B. Anyone?

On another note... Guam. I'd not really considered Guam as a possible emergency vector as Hawaii has top health care.

I'm curious about Guam. I'm wondering whether the actual flight time is less in Hawaii. I've heard it's pricey for what it is but it's got to be less expensive than Hawaii. Anyone?

It would be great if someone had an emergency medical escape plan plotted out.

53 minutes ago, StarOfLight said:

Thanks for that 👍👍 That's exactly the kind of response I was looking for. I'm super appreciate it.

Yeah, B just doesn't make sense If you live and die here. Actually A doesn't make sense either, but it's free 555. I think the people that carry B have some back of their mind plan to return to States. Maybe it's a full-on plan 😂

I've not calculated it fully and there's no I telling where Medicare costs are headed beyond the stratosphere but a 10% penalty let's say is $40 a month (it's 20 now) That's 500 bucks roughly year. Let's say you're back for 15 years before you croak. That's an additional 7,500 over lifetime.

Currently, it costs 2400 a year to hold B. So, my drunken back of the napkin math says not paying for plan B for 3 years covers a penalty for 15 years. After that your money ahead even if you return home and take B. Anyone?

On another note... Guam. I'd not really considered Guam as a possible emergency vector as Hawaii has top health care.

I'm curious about Guam. I'm wondering whether the actual flight time is less in Hawaii. I've heard it's pricey for what it is but it's got to be less expensive than Hawaii. Anyone?

It would be great if someone had an emergency medical escape plan plotted out.

An emergency would probably be a cardiac issue, or stroke, neither which can wait at best 12-16 hrs before arriving to a hospital. Depending on your state, would you even be allowed on a flight.

From TH, Medicare really is only for something elective, something that can wait 24 hrs. Then you could always fake an emergency to ER, and hope they fall for it, and any luck get admitted.

Would also need to be something expensive to have done in TH, as one way flight isn't cheap. Also need support or hotels if they deem you as outpatient, instead of admitting you.

I retired at 45, but couple years after, approved for SS disability, hence having Medicare for 23 yrs. If retiring at 65 or 66 (company or SS age), then having Plan A, and paying for B wouldn't be too crazy, and actually the way to go.

TBH, if I retired at 65/66, I probably wouldn't have bothered retiring in TH. Really wouldn't see the point or advantage for myself. Any health issues or surprises, and Medicare would be best & cheapest way to resolve. Just pick a city to retire to, that access would be easiest. Hosp & docs available per capita, certainly not a huge metro.

10 hours ago, KhunLA said:

An emergency would probably be a cardiac issue, or stroke, neither which can wait at best 12-16 hrs before arriving to a hospital. Depending on your state, would you even be allowed on a flight.

From TH, Medicare really is only for something elective, something that can wait 24 hrs. Then you could always fake an emergency to ER, and hope they fall for it, and any luck get admitted.

Would also need to be something expensive to have done in TH, as one way flight isn't cheap. Also need support or hotels if they deem you as outpatient, instead of admitting you.

I retired at 45, but couple years after, approved for SS disability, hence having Medicare for 23 yrs. If retiring at 65 or 66 (company or SS age), then having Plan A, and paying for B wouldn't be too crazy, and actually the way to go.

TBH, if I retired at 65/66, I probably wouldn't have bothered retiring in TH. Really wouldn't see the point or advantage for myself. Any health issues or surprises, and Medicare would be best & cheapest way to resolve. Just pick a city to retire to, that access would be easiest. Hosp & docs available per capita, certainly not a huge metro.

I agree with all your points.

You've had some health issues and gained some wisdom from the experiences.

I do disagree with buying plan B, no matter the age if you truly have roots here and even if you'd considered going back put the notion absolutely to rest.

You've made me think a little harder about actually using Medicare A. Yeah, it'd be semi emergency and yeah you'd have to fake the ER. My best friend's sister is a Medicare specialist/consultant. She mentioned when you go in the ER about going in your observation. That's not paid by Medicare A. If you are somehow rejected and directed to outpatient services you're on the hook for all those expenses. Will check you in the hospital but being under observation it could be days before they make a decision.

2400++ year. That's open heart surgery by the time I hit 80.

Like you said if you have an emergency it's an emergency and you're not getting on any plane, flying the Hawaii and making a runner for a hospital.

I also retired early. PT at 36, FT at 42. I needed to make a lot of sacrifices because obviously I didn't have a big fat bank account like what would have at 65, but I've had few regrets very few...

The guys that come over here and retire at 65 I think why bother? Thailand already finished. We're just riding out our old age. Double especially if they're not in stellar health and can't put a backpack on and travel through Myanmar, Lao, Vietnam, Cambodia, go snorkeling and remote Indonesia... Like that. 'Young' enough to find an attractive wife or gf.

I think the vast majority of those that come over here to retire at 60 plus will simply stay a decade maybe more but will end up back in States. Probably just coming out for 3-6 months would be better anyway although I find the flights getting very long as I age

👍

Edited May 8May 8 by StarOfLight
awkwardly worded speech to text sorry

Interesting discussion. A few things to keep in mind. You need to plan ahead if you want to start part B you have the 10 % penalty but also you can only sign up during your sign up period. From memory it would be 3 to 15 months before the coverage would start. With insurance vs. self pay you have a card that the hospital can check if you can pay, without that the care you receive if any may not be good. How do people who self insure cover that situation if no one is around to help you and you are unconscious? I would rather die at home too, but that causes problems vs. hospital death. The police have to be involved, and an autopsy done IIRC.

5 hours ago, walt1 said:

Interesting discussion. A few things to keep in mind. You need to plan ahead if you want to start part B you have the 10 % penalty but also you can only sign up during your sign up period. From memory it would be 3 to 15 months before the coverage would start. With insurance vs. self pay you have a card that the hospital can check if you can pay, without that the care you receive if any may not be good. How do people who self insure cover that situation if no one is around to help you and you are unconscious? I would rather die at home too, but that causes problems vs. hospital death. The police have to be involved, and an autopsy done IIRC.

I think most on this thread married.

I think we're all pretty aware of what it will take to get back into Medicare B. Thanks.

I can't for the life of me think of where I would want to live and could afford to live in US let alone afford it for myself and my wife. My friend in California will be working until he dies given the taxes in that God forsake and state.