RL088 – How to get ready for Medicare open enrollment.
Today on the Retirement Lifestyle Show, Roshan Loungani, Erik Olson, and Adrian Nicholson talk about Medicare's open enrollment. They go through the ten commonly asked questions about Medicare enrollment and how you can avoid the lifetime penalties of late enrollment.
[02:35] Medicare Open Enrollment
[03:01] When Should You Sign Up for Medicare?
[06:50] The Medicare Late Enrollment Penalty
[09:29] Can You Keep Your Doctor After Getting a Medicare Plan?
[15:05] Medicare and Early or Late Retirement
[18:10] COBRA and Medicare
[21:30] How Much Does Medicare Cost?
[24:43] What's Covered and What's Not Covered on Medicare?
[26:28] The Current Medicare Coverage for Long-term Care
[29:45] The Difference Between Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare
[36:55] The Medicare Medical Savings Account
Resources (PDF downloads):
For more links and the full show notes keep scrolling down!
Roshan Loungani can be reached at roshan.loungani@aretewealth.com or at 202-536-4468.
Erik Olson can be reached at erik.olson@aretewealth.com or 815-940-4652.
Adrian Nicholson can be reached at adrian.nicholson@aretewealth.com or at 703-915-8905.
For links to your favorite platform like Spotify, iTunes and so on go here:
Select episodes, like this one, can be found on YouTube:
Follow Us At:
Podcast Website: https://www.retirementlifestyleshow.com https://www.retirewithroshan.com https://youtu.be/hKVzI87v0tA https://twitter.com/RoshanLoungani https://www.linkedin.com/in/roshanloungani/ https://www.facebook.com/retirewithroshan/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/financialerik/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/adrian-nicholson-74b82b13b/ #retirementlifestylepodcast #fire #podcast #FI #Retire #retirewithroshan
Full Show Notes:
Medicare Open Enrollment
Medicare is the health insurance program for adults 65 and older. Once you hit 65, you enjoy a seven-month period (three months before and after your birth month) when you can sign up for Medicare. The good news is that you don't have to settle on one plan for the rest of your life. If you're dissatisfied with the Medicare plan you choose, a window opens where you can make changes to your coverage each year. This window is what is called Medicare enrollment and runs from October 15 through December 7. During this time, you can join, switch, or drop a plan. Moreover, even if you're happy with the plan you're currently on, you might want to confirm whether it's the best fitting plan for next year.
The Medicare Late Enrollment Penalty
Three months before you celebrate your 65th birthday, you'll receive information in the mail about your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period (IEP). And as earlier said, you have a 7-month window to enroll in the program or risk penalties that last your whole life. So, if you don't have another form of creditable health coverage past your 65th birthday, you may be looking at some penalties. For example, in Part A of Medicare, you'll pay a 10% premium increase penalty that lasts twice the number of years you went without coverage. So, if you went without coverage for two after your 65th birthday, you'd have to pay the penalty plus your regular premium for four years.
COBRA and Medicare
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) is a federal law that requires employers to offer health care continuation to covered employees, their spouses, and their dependents after a qualifying event. For the most part, COBRA works best for people who have recently left their job. The COBRA law stipulates that you're able to stay with your former employer's health plan for 18 to 36 months even if you're no longer employed. Furthermore, most people with Medicare use COBRA to supplement their coverage and help pay for more services. In some special situations, people who use COBRA and Medicare together can save some money. However, if you turn 65 and become eligible for Medicare while still on COBRA, your COBRA coverage will end.
Resources (PDF downloads):
All opinions expressed by podcast hosts and guests are solely their own. While based on information that they believe is reliable, neither Arete Wealth nor its affiliates warrant its completeness or accuracy, nor do their opinions reflect the opinion of Arete Wealth. This podcast is for general informational purposes only, and should not be regarded as specific advice or recommendations for any individual. Before making any decisions, consult a professional.
Commentaires