Ask Larry

Medicare

How Should I Answer The Medicare Question On My Application For Spousal Benefits?

I will reach full retirement shortly and intend to
apply for spousal benefits on line. Currently, I pay for my Medicare benefits manually
by check every 3 months. On the SS application there is a question do I want to enroll
in Medicare part B?. As I already have part B, how shall I answer this question?. I wish
to have the premiums automatically deducted from SS payments. I also want to be careful to avoid being double dipped for Medicare part B payments manually and
automatically. Please advise.

Thank you

Hi,

Posted: 
Friday, August 25, 2017 - 06:26

What's Our Best Plan For Social Security And Medicare?

I am 65 this month, my husband is 55 next month. I entered the work force in the fall of 2009. As of this year I have 31 SS credits out of 40. I was hoping to work to gain a maximum of 40 credits, but I may not be able to. I was informed by my local SS office that I am not eligible for Medicare based on these credit numbers. My husband's salary is much greater than mine. What's the best plan for us regarding SS and Medicare?

Hi,

Posted: 
Wednesday, August 23, 2017 - 06:39

Will My Medicare Premiums Be Automatically Deducted When I Start Drawing Spousal Benefits?

My wife's date of birth is September 10, 1956. My date of birth is March 11, 1950. She wishes to file for her Social Security benefit in September 2018, at age 62. I plan to wait until age 70 to file for my benefit. I am paying my monthly Medicare Part B premium ($134) by bank draft. After she files next year, I would like to file a restricted application for a spousal benefit based on her work record. Will Medicare automatically begin to deduct my Part B premium from my spousal benefit, or do I have a choice in the matter?

Posted: 
Sunday, August 20, 2017 - 07:03

Can I Get Medicare Based On My Husband's Work Credits?

okay Larry, I am just saying that even if you go in person to the SS office, you may still be given the wrong answer. I will be 65 shortly. I quit working one month before the first or my 5 children were born 39 years ago. My husband is considered self employed with under 20 employees and I and our children have/were on his insurance plan through his work.

Posted: 
Tuesday, August 15, 2017 - 06:42

Is It Correct That My Part B Premium Amount Increased?

RE: Medicare part B premium
I am 71 and retired in June 2017. I have been receiving SS since 2012 (at age 66) spousal benefits on the record of my husband who is living. I applied for Medicare Part B in November 2015 because I had read of the hold harmless policy.
My premium was $104.90 - now increased to 108.
In July I switched to my own record for SS benefits and the Medicare Part B will be $134. Is this correct instead of continuing the hold harmless amount of $108?

Hi,

Posted: 
Monday, August 14, 2017 - 06:31

Is It True That My Wife's Medicare Number Will Change When She Starts Receiving Spousal Benefits?

My wife currently receives Medicare coverage under her own social security number. When I began receiving my social security benefit, she also began receiving her spousal benefit. As a result, we were told her Medicare coverage would now be under my Medicare number. Is this correct and if so, how do we make sure she continues her Medicare coverage?

Hi,

Posted: 
Thursday, August 3, 2017 - 05:30

Will My Future COLA Increases Be Used To Cover Higher Part B Premiums?

The current Part B monthly premium for my income level is $134. If I am receiving Social Security & am having a premium of $111 deducted for Part B due to the Hold Harmless provision. Assume the Part B premium remains at $134 next year & the SS COLA increase is enough to exceed the difference between $111 & $134, will the increase in my SS payments go for the increased Part B premium. What I am asking in general is whether increased SS COLA raises, if they occur, bring everyone to paying the same Part B premium?

Hi,

Posted: 
Monday, July 3, 2017 - 10:05

How Is An Employer Notified That An Employee Is Receiving Social Security Medical Coverage?

how does an employer get notified that an employee is receiving social security medical coverage?

Hi,

I'm not sure I understand the crux of your question. Your employer wouldn't necessarily be notified if you have Medicare coverage, but if you have health insurance through an employer and you're also signed up for Medicare, the insurance companies involved would need to know about the other coverage in order to coordinate payment of any claims. In that event, you would most likely need to notify the appropriate insurance companies yourself.

Posted: 
Saturday, June 10, 2017 - 15:28

How Do I Submit A SS-44 Online?

What do I need to do to submit a SS-44 and appropriate documents online?

Hi,

I assume you mean form SSA-44 (https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ssa-44.pdf), the purpose of which is to request a lower Medicare premium amount. I don't believe that you can submit an SSA-44 online. I think you'll need to submit the form and supporting evidence to a Social Security office either in person or by mail.

Best, Jerry

Posted: 
Thursday, June 8, 2017 - 16:19
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