Disability And Age 65

D

Davidg

Member
So, I qualified for social security disability at age 61.5 Which means that I'll be aging into medicare Sept 1, 2016, which, I believe, is my IEP (Initial enrollment period) I have retireee health insurance (expensive) from an ex employer. They also offer a retiree medicare plan which works like an advantage plan part c and includes a drug plan. Part C plans are not well accepted in this area. Dr's dont like them, and many refuse to accept them. I can make it work, but would like to have the option of switching to a Plan G when I turn 65. I can get a plan G now, but it's also expensive. ($350/month + drug plan)
So, assuming that I use the employers advantage plan until age 65, here's my question; When I do turn 65, will I be able to purchase a plan G at the same cost as someone ageing in at 65? Or will the insurance company see that I've been on medicare for 18 months and assume correctly that I've been on disability, and charge an exhorbitant premium? I'm a little confused about what IEP really means. Does the IEP occur once a lifetime? Or in this situation, does it occur twice? Now? at age 63? and again at age 65?
I've been pouring over the medicare.gov website and am unable to find information that addresses this. I live in a state that does require insurers to offer a plan g for those under 65, but lets the market set the cost. I have good coverage until I turn 65 for sure. I'm just trying to plan for when I do turn 65.
Another option might be to decline the part b, and continue with my ex employers retiree insurance for another 1.5 years, then apply for part b when I turn 65, which should trigger an IEP.

I need an expert to clear up my confusion.

Thanks in advance for any guidance here.
 
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If you became eligible for SSDI at age 61.5, then you become eligible for Medicare two years later at age 63.5. There is no federal requirement to sell you a medigap plan under age 65. There are 27 states with their own regulations requiring at least one Medigap plan be offered.

When you reach age 65, you can then take advantage of your "once-in-a-lifetime" federally guaranteed right to buy a medigap policy, even if you’ve been enrolled in Medicare Part B for years. This is the Medigap "Open Enrollment Period" or "Initial Enrollment Period." You get a six-month enrollment period to buy a medigap plan. During that time, insurers can not refuse to sell you any policy available in your state or charge you a higher premium than other people age 65. So, even if you were able to buy medigap insurance before you turned 65, you may now get a greater choice of policies and a lower premium.
 
MBSC said:
If you became eligible for SSDI at age 61.5, then you become eligible for Medicare two years later at age 63.5. There is no federal requirement to sell you a medigap plan under age 65. There are 27 states with their own regulations requiring at least one Medigap plan be offered.

When you reach age 65, you can then take advantage of your "once-in-a-lifetime" federally guaranteed right to buy a medigap policy, even if you’ve been enrolled in Medicare Part B for years. This is the Medigap "Open Enrollment Period" or "Initial Enrollment Period." You get a six-month enrollment period to buy a medigap plan. During that time, insurers can not refuse to sell you any policy available in your state or charge you a higher premium than other people age 65. So, even if you were able to buy medigap insurance before you turned 65, you may now get a greater choice of policies and a lower premium.
Click to expand...

Thank you. Your post is what i understand. I just cannot find that specific wording anywhere on medicare.gov. I've reviewed the application for a plan g supplement, and they specifically ask the question, "have you been enrolled in any medicare plan?". So i was concerned that the answer to that question would trigger a major increase of the premium.
 
The documentation is on CMS.gov. See the link below. It opens as a PDF. Refer to the following on PDF page 39 of 55 (document page 35).

Remember, if you’re already enrolled in Medicare Part B, you’ll get a one-time, 6-month Medigap Open Enrollment Period when you turn 65. At this time you’ll likely have a wider choice of Medigap policies and be able to get a lower premium. During your Medigap Open Enrollment Period, insurance companies can’t refuse to sell you any Medigap policy due to a disability or other health problem, or charge you a higher premium (based on health status) than they charge other people who are 65.
Click to expand...

https://www.cms.gov/Outreach-and-Ed...are-for-People-With-Disabilities-Workbook.pdf
 
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