Blue Medicare SupplementSM FAQ
1. Who is eligible for Medicare?
Generally, Medicare is available for people age 65 or older, younger people with disabilities and people with End Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant). Medicare has two parts, Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medicare Insurance). You are eligible for premium-free Part A if you are age 65 or older and you or your spouse worked and paid Medicare taxes for at least 10 years. You can get Part A at age 65 without having to pay premiums if:
- You are receiving retirement benefits from Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board.
- You are eligible to receive Social Security or Railroad benefits but you have not yet filed for them.
- You or your spouse had Medicare-covered government employment.
If you (or your spouse) did not pay Medicare taxes while you worked, and you are age 65 or older and a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, you may be able to buy Part A if you are under age 65, you can get Part A without having to pay premiums if:
- You have been entitled to Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board disability benefits for 24 months. ( Note : If you have Lou Gehrig's disease, your Medicare benefits begin the first month you get disability benefits.)
- You are a kidney dialysis or kidney transplant patient.
While most people do not have to pay a premium for Part A, everyone must pay for Part B if they want it. The monthly Part B premium in 2007 is $93.50. This monthly premium is deducted from your Social Security, Railroad Retirement, or Civil Service Retirement check. If you do not get any of these payments, Medicare sends you a bill for your Part B premium every 3 months.
If you have questions about eligibility for Medicare Part A or Part B, or if you want to apply for Medicare, call the Social Security Administration or visit their website http://www.medicare.gov/. The toll free number is 800-772-1213. The TTY-TTD number for the hearing impaired is 800-325-0778.
2. I want to add Part B to my Medicare. When can I do that?
You can sign up for Medicare Part B:
1) When you first enroll in Medicare (your Initial Enrollment Period). Your Initial Enrollment Period starts 3 months before you turn age 65 and lasts for 7 months.
2) January 1 - March 31 of each year (your General Enrollment Period). If you enroll in Part B during a General Enrollment Period, it will be effective July 1 of the year in which you apply. Your Medicare Part B premium may go up 10 percent for each 12 month period that you could have had Medicare Part B, but did not take it.
3) If you didn't take Medicare Part B when you were first eligible because you or your spouse were working and had group health plan coverage through your or your spouse's employer or union, you can sign up for Medicare Part B during a Special Enrollment Period.
You can sign up:
- anytime you are still covered by the employer or union group health plan through your or your spouse's current or active employment, or
- during the 8 months following the month the employer or union group health plan coverage ends, or
- when the employment ends (whichever is first).
You should contact the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to add Medicare Part B.
3. What is the purpose of Blue Medicare Supplement℠ Coverage?
Blue Medicare Supplement℠ Coverage is designed to cover medical services that are either not covered by Medicare Part A and Part B or have coverage limitations.
5. Who is eligible for Blue Medicare Supplement℠ coverage?
You cannot be turned down for Blue Medicare Supplement℠ coverage if :
- Age 65 or older or under 65 and eligible for Medicare due to disability
- You enroll within 6 months of enrolling in Medicare Part B
- You are not covered by certain Medicaid programs
- You are a resident of North Carolina
5. When is the best time to enroll in a Blue Medicare Supplement℠ plan?
There are significant advantages to enrolling in Blue Medicare Supplement℠ coverage within the first six months of enrolling in Medicare Part B. When you enroll, you lock in your entry age rate forever. Rate adjustments will be made only due to medical inflation or overall claims experience.
6. Are there waiting periods associated with Blue Medicare Supplement℠ coverage?
By enrolling early, you may be eligible for Blue Medicare Supplement℠ coverage without medical underwriting and waiting periods for pre-existing conditions. If you wait until after the deadline to enroll, you may be subject to waiting periods.
7. What are pre-existing conditions?
Pre-existing conditions are considered to be medical conditions for which medical advice was given or treatment was recommended by or received from a physician within six months before the effective date of coverage.
