Medicare

Medicare is health insurance for people age 65 or older, under 65 with certain disabilities, and any age with End-Stage Renal Disease. Medicare has four different parts: Part A, B, C, and D. If we can help you with a Medicare concern or question, please contact April Evans of my Greenville office at (864) 232-1141 or Brent Troxell of my Spartanburg office at (864) 582-6422.

Medicare's website can give you personalized information about your health care claims, your Part B deductible status, your Medicare health or prescription plan, and your eligibility information.


Medicare FAQs

When can I enroll in Medicare?

I am over 65 and I didn’t enroll in Medicare Part B during my Initial Enrollment Period. Can I still enroll?

I don’t like my current provider for my Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Can I switch providers, and if so, when?

Generally if you join a Medicare Prescription Drug Plan, you can only change plans under certain circumstances. You can choose to switch your current plan between the dates of November 15 thru December 31 of every year.

Enrollment is generally for the calendar year. In certain cases, such as if you move or enter a nursing home, you can switch your plan at other times.

If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, you can change plans at any time.

 

If I retire at the age of 62 will I be eligible for Medicare at that time?

No. Medicare benefits do not begin until a person is age 65. If you retire at age 62, you may be able to continue to have medical insurance coverage through your employer. If not, you may purchase coverage from a private insurance company until you turn age 65 and become eligible for Medicare. The exception is for those who have been receiving Social Security disability benefits for 24 months or longer – there is no age limit for such individuals.

 

Medicare Part D

Prescription Drug Coverage

I’m sure you’ve been bombarded with information regarding this complex plan. I’m hoping the following information will help you make sense of your particular situation within the new Medicare Part D drug plan.

Enrollment and Coverage

You may sign up for enrollment when you first become eligible for Medicare (three months before the month you turn age 65 until three months after you turn age 65). If you get Medicare due to a disability, you can join from three months before to three months after your 25th month of cash disability payments. If you don't sign up when you are first eligible, you may pay a penalty. If you didn't join when you were first eligible, your next opportunity to join will be from November 15, 2008 to December 31, 2008 in order to have your coverage begin January 1, 2009.

Eligibility

Do you currently have Medicare? If yes, then you are eligible for Part D. If you are not currently enrolled in Medicare, then you are not eligible for Part D.

Costs

This is where it can get confusing. Each plan has its own premium, deductible and co-payment scale. In South Carolina, there are 45 different plans to choose from, so you can find the medicines you need with a cost that works best for you and your budget. You should have received information on all available plans in the mail. If not, please call 1-800-MEDICARE

There is also extra help for people with limited income and resources. If you qualify for extra help, Medicare will pay for almost all of your prescription drug costs. You can apply or get more information about the extra help by calling Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) or visiting the U.S. Social Security Administration on the web.

Help

From sorting through the basic information to finding the right plan for you and enrolling, there are many places you can go for help as you sort through this decision.