Medicare and Social Security

[nnuut]

No PROBLEM you can keep your Health Care!:nuts:

Americans lose health choices
Obamacare would give that right to bureaucrats

By Kent Masterson Brown | Monday, March 28, 2011

The Constitution grants only to Congress the power to legislate. There is no greater threat to our delicate system of government than when federal courts allow unelected bureaucrats to make up their own laws. Yet last week, U.S. Judge Rosemary Collyer did just that.
The ruling has ominous implications for Obamacare, enacted one year ago but not yet in full effect: This decision would allow the “health reform” law to become even more Orwellian than it already is, without any action from Congress.
In a case where I served as chief attorney for the plaintiffs, Collyer allowed to stand three internal rules of the Social Security Administration that make receipt of Social Security retirement benefits contingent upon enrollment in Medicare. Plus, a person who withdraws from Medicare would not only have to give up Social Security retirement benefits, but repay all benefits previously received.
All the plaintiffs had paid into Social Security and Medicare throughout their working lives. They were eligible for both programs, but they didn’t want to enroll in Medicare because they had their own savings and health-insurance programs that they preferred.
Three of the plaintiffs had Federal Employee Health Benefits, and two of them had health-savings accounts. Two plaintiffs have ample savings and high-deductible health-insurance policies. None of the plaintiffs sought to get any of their Medicare taxes back; they simply don’t want to enroll in Medicare — but do desire their Social Security retirement benefits.
Thanks to Collyer’s ruling, though, the plaintiffs are now forced into Medicare and will have to give up their private health plans and health savings accounts. (The ruling still allows private “Medi- Gap” coverage to supplement Medicare.) Indeed, all seniors now must enroll in Medicare, Part A, whether they want it or not. If they don’t, their Social Security retirement benefits will be taken from them.
http://www.bostonherald.com/news/opinion/op_ed/view.bg?articleid=1326502&format=text

 

[Zebra]

well there is no charge for medicare Part A, so I see no problem with that; however, Part B is a different story. I kept my Federal BCBS health insurance and most of you know it is expensive, but good. Technically it has all the coverage Part B would provide; my problem is - will the Gov. make me by part B when I already have PPO BCBS?

 

[alevin]

that was my question after reading the above. I thought we could keep our health insurance into retirement but that it would become secondary payer behind medicare? By the time I retire this will likely all be different anyway due to gov deficit relative to GDP.

 

[SkyPilot]

well there is no charge for medicare Part A, so I see no problem with that; however, Part B is a different story. I kept my Federal BCBS health insurance and most of you know it is expensive, but good. Technically it has all the coverage Part B would provide; my problem is - will the Gov. make me by part B when I already have PPO BCBS?

You may enroll in part B, but are not compelled to.

http://www.opm.gov/insure/health/medicare/medicare02.asphttp://blogs.federaltimes.com/federal-retirement/?s=medicare+part+b++buy

 

[Family]

alevin

that was my question after reading the above. I thought we could keep our health insurance into retirement but that it would become secondary payer behind medicare? By the time I retire this will likely all be different anyway due to gov deficit relative to GDP.

At this time you can keep your Federal Health Ins. AND enroll in Medicare. MOST but not all pay secondary to Medicare, if you see a Medicare provider. If your provider does not accept Medicare (fairly rare), then your Federal Health Plan pays first. If you want your Social Security you MUST accept enrollment in Medicare. It is automatic when you reach 65 if you are already recieving SS.

 

[SkyPilot]

alevin

that was my question after reading the above. I thought we could keep our health insurance into retirement but that it would become secondary payer behind medicare? By the time I retire this will likely all be different anyway due to gov deficit relative to GDP.

At this time you can keep your Federal Health Ins. AND enroll in Medicare. MOST but not all pay secondary to Medicare, if you see a Medicare provider. If your provider does not accept Medicare (fairly rare), then your Federal Health Plan pays first. If you want your Social Security you MUST accept enrollment in Medicare. It is automatic when you reach 65 if you are already recieving SS.

Dick Armey's claim about Medicare and Social Security is only partially true:

"beneficiaries collecting Social Security will lose those payments if they drop Medicare Part A — so long as they were enrolled in both programs in the first place"

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-m...rmeys-claim-about-medicare-and-social-securi/

 

[nnuut]

So if I chose to drop out of Medicare I lose my Social Security, I don't see the connection between the two programs! I pay Medicare and FEHB and Medicare is primary. Works well no co-payments or doctor visit charges.

BUT TAKING MY SSA IS RIDICULOUS!
YOU WILL HAVE TO TAKE OBAMACARE
THAT'S THE PLAN!​

 

[SkyPilot]

So if I chose to drop out of Medicare I lose my Social Security, I don't see the connection between the two programs! I pay Medicare and FEHB and Medicare is primary. Works well no co-payments or doctor visit charges.

BUT TAKING MY SSA IS RIDICULOUS!
YOU WILL HAVE TO TAKE OBAMACARE
THAT'S THE PLAN!​

Funny that you can drop SS and still have Medicare, but if you opt out of socialized medicine you are robbed of your entitlement. This goes back to the Clinton years evidently...

 

[Frixxxx]

Associated Press

Report: Premium hikes for top Medicare drug plans
By RICARDO ALONSO-ZALDIVAR
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Millions of seniors enrolled in some of the most popular Medicare prescription drug plans face double-digit premium hikes next year if they don't shop for a better deal, says a private firm that analyzes the highly competitive market.
Seven of the top 10 prescription plans are raising their premiums by 11 percent to 23 percent, according to a report this week by Avalere Health.

 

[Warrenlm]

Did the upstream assumptions get corrected? Med A is free, assuming you are young enough that you paid the Part A tax. No reason not to accept it at 65. No loss of Social Security benefits if electing to decline Part B and remain with FEHB as primary insurer, but watch that WEP. Boy, the surcharges on Part B premiums are stiff if income exceeds their limits.

Of surprise to many FEHB retirees, and their physicians, is the law that reduces the physician and other services fees paid by FEHB companies to Medicare Part B levels at a patient age of 65, even though the patient has not elected Part B. The FEHB insurance company pays one fee the day before the patient is 65, the physician's contract rate for preferred providers, and then a lower fee after the patient turns 65. Surprise, happy birthday!

 

[nnuut]

I didn't want damn Medicare when I turned 65 they basically force you to join or pay the price! It really only pays 80% unless you stay in the hospital too long (no for God's sake) then you pay everything, look it up!
Medicare costs at a glance | Medicare.gov
[h=4]Hospital inpatient stay[/h]You pay:

• Days 1–60: $1,156 deductible for each benefit period.
• Days 61–90: $289 coinsurance per day of each benefit period.
• Days 91 and beyond: $578 coinsurance per each "lifetime reserve day" after day 90 for each benefit period (up to 60 days over your lifetime).
• Beyond lifetime reserve days: all costs.

 

[Elgallo]

Just turned 65 and am dealing with this issue now.

As was stated Part B seems unecessary if we have a FHBP, but if it's true you loose SS, is it really an option? Don't ya just love being drug around by your balls by the potiticians!

So I assume we all just bite the leather strap and pay for both even though it appears we don't need it.

So as a retired Federal employee ask yourself this question: is the Gubmint "really" picking up 70% of your health care in retirement like you were lead to beleive in those retirement seminars they gave us? I personally think not.

 

[nnuut]

They force you, but I found that you can save a little by taking the lower option of some of the FEHB. I save over $100 a month taking BCBS Basic Family instead of Standard Family, no deductibles, copays and has paid everything so far. Costs $10 more for a Dr's visit and $5 more for perscriptions for the Wife but mine make up for that.

 

[Frixxxx]

Retirement Planner: Special Extra Earnings for Military Service

For those of you with Active Duty Military time, Ensure you're getting your full benefit.

V/R,

Frixxxx

 

[SkyPilot]

Just turned 65 and am dealing with this issue now.

As was stated Part B seems unecessary if we have a FHBP, but if it's true you loose SS, is it really an option? Don't ya just love being drug around by your balls by the potiticians!

So I assume we all just bite the leather strap and pay for both even though it appears we don't need it.

So as a retired Federal employee ask yourself this question: is the Gubmint "really" picking up 70% of your health care in retirement like you were lead to beleive in those retirement seminars they gave us? I personally think not.

I do not beleive that if you drop Part B you lose SS, but rather Part A. Bail on Medicare Part A and you'll lose Social Security | BenefitsPro

http://www.politifact.com/truth-o-m...rmeys-claim-about-medicare-and-social-securi/

 

[nnuut]

I do not beleive that if you drop Part B you lose SS, but rather Part A. Bail on Medicare Part A and you'll lose Social Security | BenefitsPro

PolitiFact | Dick Armey's claim about Medicare and Social Security is only partially true

Think twice before not getting part A and B, I have it it cost about $100 a month I also have BCBS basic. Haven't paid a dime so far what Medicare doesn't pay for BCBS does that included 3 nights in a hospital and 3 ultrasounds, a total of 5 MRIs, and 2 CT scans. With all that they didn't find a thing wrong with me.

 

[SkyPilot]

Nnuut, does not BCBS cover what Part B covers anyway?

 

[nnuut]

Nnuut, does not BCBS cover what Part B covers anyway?

Yes but only the part Medicare doesn't pay, doctors can't charge me any more than Medicare authorizes. I pay nothing for doctor's and specialist's visits, no coinsurance copays etc. BCBS pays prescription drugs unless you have part "D". The wife is younger and BCBS covers her 100%, but with copays etc. when she gets 65 she will use both like I do.
I really can't remember but I don't think BCBS would pay all of the part B if you didn't have it from Medicare probably none.

 

[alevin]

There's a lot of good information on feds, Medicare A,B,C,D, doctor-Medicare-FEHB twists and turns over at FederalSoup.com-its a forum connected to that FederalDaily newsletter that hits my work email practically every day. I've learned a lot from reading those threads in that forum. they don't talk about active management of tsp funds, so think its okay to mention that site here. they are focused more on information sharing on the administrative side of being a fed or soon-to-be fed retiree.

 

[SkyPilot]

Okay then, it seems that Part B (about $100 per month) is probably worth it, even with BCBS. Especially considering that as we age, one incident or event can easily exceed the cost of the premium. Now, I need to look closer at part D and begin to consider if it is a benefit we will need to consider.