This is the latest in an occasional series of blog posts commenting on impending retirement.
I knew this day was coming. Finally, I took the leap.
Health insurance providers have been bombarding me with reminders that my date with Medicare destiny is approaching. I’d been setting those mailings aside. Today, however, I decided to do the inevitable.
I made my initial application for Medicare.
There’s good news to report. The website is surprisingly easy to navigate. I called up Medicare.gov and went to the link that connected me to the application process. I filled out several pages of questions. I previewed them. I printed them out. I received an email alert from Medicare telling me my application had been received. I was informed that I could get the “status” of my application after five business days.
I’ll do so at the end of the week.
I turn 65 in December. I’ll be qualified to receive the so-called “free” health coverage provided by the federal government. Of course, I don’t consider it a freebie. I consider it a prepaid benefit, just as my veterans benefit was paid by my service in the U.S. Army for two years from 1968 until 1970.
I’m trying like the dickens to keep it as simple as possible. I’m not yet sure how many “parts” I’ll sign up for. I’m not even sure I understand what all the parts — Part A, B, C, D … whatever — actually mean.
I was advised by someone in the know that since I had signed up with the Veterans Administration health care system, I likely might not need to enroll in many Medicare supplemental programs. I’ll try to keep it simple as this application process moves forward.
This is a curiously exciting time in my life. My wife and I are living a good life these days. We’re both free of much of the daily pressure of working full time every day. I’m working at two part-time jobs that give me plenty of time to spend on this blog, which I’m enjoying immensely.
Our sons are successful. Our health is good.
What’s more, I’ve now begun the process of joining a federal health program that once had as many critics as, say, the Affordable Care Act. It’s working well now.
Count me in.
Congratulations! I wish I could say that I was old enough to receive Medicare. It’ll happen for me in about 4 years. My wife has been receiving Medicare for about 2 years now and with really affordable supplemental insurance, she pays for nothing at the doctor’s office. No co-pay, no deductible, nothing. There are some really good deals out there. With the deduction from Social Security and her premium, it costs about $220 a month, give or take. We are comfortable with that.
Now, for me, we have a different story. I have retirement insurance provided by my former employer at a monthly rate that I am almost embarrassed to admit to. Let’s just say that it has a deductible that is comfortable and I pay less than 3 hours of my former pay rate a month. I have been really lucky in that respect. It lasts until Medicare kicks in.
Now let’s talk Veteran’s benefits. As a result of procrastination, I have no medical benefits. I always had good medical from my job at a refinery, so I didn’t apply until about 2 years ago. I was informed that I made too much money. Didn’t matter that I served 4 years in the Navy, my income precluded me from medical benefits. Had I applied anytime before this was legislated away from me, I would have these benefits no matter what. If I am able to show income under that level for a year, I once again become eligible and these benefits cannot be taken away ever again.
When I found this out, needless to say, I was pissed. The guy I was talking to at the Veteran’s Administration was pissed too. He pointed out that this was promised to me upon my enlistment and now it has become a lie. I don’t know which party or entity enacted this legislation, but I myself tend to blame it on that far-reaching package of benefits known as Reagonomics. This fairy tale has provided, because of its failures, the justification for cutting benefits that should never be touched. I could go on and on, but I am now operating in a fashion that will reflect a qualifying income at the end of this year. I shouldn’t have to do that.
Once again, congratulations on your longevity. I’ll be there soon enough.
This new phase of life is cool in an odd, unexplainable sort of way. Thanks for your comments.