Turning 65 this year, been on disability for many years. I want to go to Medicare, cancel my Federal Health Benefits (BC/BS). However, my wife, who is under 65 but disabled was told that even though my insurance would no longer be available to her she could not sign up for Medicare until the year she turns 65. I read on line that she gets a "Special Session" for Medicare because the insurance is no longer available to her. Is this true, or did she just get a rookie at SSA office? Don't know where to turn.
Medicare Information and Discussions
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Medicare special open sessions
- Thread starter lpittman1
- Start date
pittman,
You have a lot going on here. 1st to answer your question, a person may enroll into Medicare when they turn 65 or after 24 months of disability. There is a special election with Medicare when you lose your insurance, but that election is not for joining Medicare. The election is for signing up with a Medicare insurance plan if you already have Medicare. Finally, you may want to look hard before dropping your BCBS Federal. Most people I have met with that coverage have elected to keep it along with Medicare. Especially, since your wife will be losing her health coverage.
Hope that helps.
You have a lot going on here. 1st to answer your question, a person may enroll into Medicare when they turn 65 or after 24 months of disability. There is a special election with Medicare when you lose your insurance, but that election is not for joining Medicare. The election is for signing up with a Medicare insurance plan if you already have Medicare. Finally, you may want to look hard before dropping your BCBS Federal. Most people I have met with that coverage have elected to keep it along with Medicare. Especially, since your wife will be losing her health coverage.
Hope that helps.
mattspits said:
Thanks.
Very confusing, makes it hard to take medicare. They won't let her sign up for medicare until she's 65. They said she could sign up in January, but it wouldn't be effective until her 65th birthday although she had medicare when she was first found to be disabled. Now, they are charging her a penalty for not signing up? Now I will pay a penalty because I can't afford both and I can't drop Federal because of my spouse. Very hard to comprehend the logic. Thanks for the info and the thought.