When you turn 65 you may think getting Original Medicare is straightforward. Before you enroll in Medicare, however, you should know these three weird things:

Weird Fact #1: You may be signed up for “optional” Medicare Part B automatically

You may recall that Medicare is broken in two parts: A) Hospital Coverage an B) Doctor Coverage. Part B is optional because it usually costs additional money. But if you’re eligible for Medicare you will be automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B. This means that you will have to disenroll from Part B if you don’t want it.

Before deciding to disenroll from Medicare Part B you should consider a few things:

    • 1) Most people will want Part B. The monthly premium cost of Part B should save you a lot of money in doctor bills.

2) You need to be enrolled in both Part A and B to enroll in Medigap or Medicare Advantage

3) If you can’t afford the Medicare Part B premium, Medicare may be able to help you pay for it

4) If you initially disenroll from Part B but decide to enroll later you are subject to a penalty

It is our opinion that unless you have job-based insurance you will want to keep Part B. It is weird, however, that you are automatically signed up for an “optional” benefit.

Weird Fact #2: You must Enroll to Disenroll

If you want Medicare Advantage instead of Original Medicare you must enroll to disenroll. Here are the steps: You must first be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and B, apply for an MA plan, then you will be automatically disenrolled from Original Medicare. It’s not the most efficient set up in the world but, bottom line, if you want Medicare Advantage you must first sign up for Original Medicare. Learn if Medicare Advantage is right for you.

Weird Medicare Fact #3: You pay for blood

This gory fact is true. Most people think once they hit 65 Medicare covers everything, but it doesn’t. There are many “out of pocket” costs including the first 3 pints of blood for a transfusion. This isn’t the only thing Medicare doesn’t cover. Here’s a brief list of items that aren’t covered under Original Medicare:

    • 1) Foreign emergency care

2) 20% cost for doctor’s office care

3) Extended days in the hospital

4) Extended days of skilled Nursing

5) Your Part A and Part B deductible

To cover much of what Original Medicare leaves out, including an extra 365 hospitalization days, look into Medigap plans. These plan fill in all the “gaps” (including the blood) that are not covered by Medicare. Click here to see how much a Medigap Plan F could save you in one year.

For further questions contact Senior65.com or go here to get an instant Medigap quote.