I'm over 65 now and let me tell you, it's an adventure. From watching my features and body change to accepting the aches and pains that come with age to navigating health insurance options.
Yup. Medicare is something we pay for all of our working lives. Well, that and Social Security. Okay... Okay... And all those dang taxes, but I'm off track here.
Once you turn 65, you automatically get Medicare part A which is hospitalization only. Even then, part A pays 80% of the hospital bill. The other part of Medicare is part B. You have to pay for that. It covers doctors visits.
When I signed up for Medicare, I wasn't in need of part B because I'm healthy and I couldn't afford the $180 a month premium. Honest to gosh, I swear that I read in the (thick) handbook that our government allowed us two years to ponder that expense before the penalty applied, so, I opted out of part B.
Now, two years later, I find out that I had misread the two year delay and I now owe a penalty if I want part B.
I decided to apply for Medicaid since I live on a very limited income. I headed to the designated website and began the application.
Needless to say, working to navigate the government online application was a bust. I had made a mistake and couldn't go back to correct it. (I later found out through an insurance agent that she had had the same problem.)
Now what am I going to do?
The saints be praised! I was in Walmart this morning and sitting along the wall behind the cash registers was a gal signing people up for Medicare. It honestly was a blessing. She listened to my woes and completely understood the problems I had. She navigated the state government website and got me signed up for Medicaid. Now all I have to do is wait three weeks to see if I'm accepted.
Listen. Find a reputable insurance agent who knows their way around Medicare and Medicaid. Don't try to apply on your own. Sure, that gal who helped me will get paid when I apply for insurance through any one of the insurance companies she represents, but – hey – that's how she makes a living. And she makes a living out of being extremely helpful.
