Medicare Early with SS Disability?
My medicare goes into effect February. I’ve read your medicare beware articles. I’ve decided to go with Part D and Part G. I believe it’s more beneficial to pay a little more to get one with Community Pricing or Issue Age Pricing as I will be 63 when my medicare goes into effect due to disability. I’m guessing this is a better pricing option, instead of one that goes up with age, correct? The options I’m seeing with this type of pricing are Cigna, Transamerica, Everence, or AARP United. My question is, why are there 2 different Cigna’s at 2 different prices, and what are you getting for the price difference. I cannot get a quote online as I’m under 65, and I’m having a hard time getting them on the phone.
Terry Says
This was so complex I had to turn to Medicare expert Thomas Dillon of JT Medicare Solutions (800-227-1012) Please note: I get nothing out of my referrals to Thom, but he is truly an expert as you’ll see from his answer below, which I am reprinting in full!
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Terry, Medicare is complicated and it has a lot of rules.
When you enter Medicare Before age 65.. and you are only able to do this for 1 reason: Social Security disability for 24 months, automatically enrolls you into Medicare after 24 months.
But the Rules for Medicare Supplements change.
Being a Social Security disability recipient for 24 months does not guarantee acceptance into a Medicare Supplement.
Most Medicare Supplement providers won’t even quote you a rate.. and those that do.. might charge significantly higher rates than for people turning 65.
If you are under 65 and trying to get a Supplement.. the insurance companies already know you are disabled.. so yes they can turn down your application.
I can’t get the online quotes to even give me a Quote on under 65.
But I’ve seen them.. instead of $140 or $150 for a woman turning 65.. the monthly rates start at $450 or $550.. a month!
Now,.. these people are on Social Security disability.. (it’s the only way to get into Medicare before age 65).. so their income is usually lower..
Lower income and higher rates.. don’t work well together.
So I usually discuss this with the person.. and then transition the conversation to Medicare Advantage Plans…The Medicare Advantage Plans.. DO have to accept them.
With a caveat.
When the person turns 65.. they WILL be given Guaranteed Acceptance into a supplement.
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They will be able to get a Medicare Supplement at the same rate as everyone else!
They will have a choice.. try and get a Medicare Supplement company to give them a rate.. and pay the higher amounts.. now —
or
Get on an Advantage Plan until they turn 65.. and then switch to the Supplement at the lower/Normal rates.
It’s always about the $$…
Oh and finding an Insurance Company that will even issue a PRE-65 policy.
Medicare has a lot of rules.. and it’s complicated.
I hope this helps.
Thom
