Medicare is going to suck the life out of us yet!!

[paddbear0000]

I just got my approval letter for my medicare last week (yes, I know, I procrastinated in applying). The letter said my monthly premiums would be $96.40, and that they would be sending me a bill for the first 3 month period shortly. I got that today. The bill is for $674.80!!!! Now I may suck at math, but I can c6rtainly multiply 96.20 by 3 on a calculator. That equals $288.60, not $674.80!! WTF???!!! I haven't even shown the card to anyone yet! We don't have that kind of money, but we don't qualify for any assistance programs either because of my husband's salary. What do we do?

[Romona]

I had gotten a similiar bill. They were billing me for things I didn't want.

[paddbear0000]

Like what? When i call them, maybe I won't get any surprises.

[Romona]

They billed me for part B. I didn't want part B since I was covered by 2 insurance policies. I don't remember what else they charged me for.

[kellyt]

My guess is that they are going back to the month that you were eligible and they will pick up any charges from there.  That's why they are billing you for those months.  Again, that's my guess.   

After transplant in Nov I didn't get my first bill for Medicare until late December and they included in the billing the month of Nov., which was fine with me because they picked up differences Humana didn't pay for.  Call and ask.

[Jean]

Isnt there some sort of penalty if you dont apply on time? Or is that just for the old people? I dont know. Let us know when you call them tho.

[kellyt]

That I don't know, Jean.  I know that the day I got into a regular room after transplant was the day my Social Worker came in and started the paperwork for me.  I just wanted to sleep.  I didn't even care at that point.  Then I remembered that when I got married in 1998 I never contacted the SS office to change my name on my card, even though my voter's registration and everything else was under Talbert.

So, only weeks after being discharged did I have to go the SS office (I was more terrified of being there than anywhere else at that time because there were some strange folks there.  Mother's changing there baby's dirty diaper in the LOBBY!)  I ran in and ran out and I still didn't get any help.  So finally I made some calls and then everything via the mail.  Once that was complete I was on Medicare.  So actually I not have gotten my first bill until January.     Anyway, I get billed now for three months at a time.  It's just under $300 for three months.

[Jean]

As an old folk, I pay about $96.00 a month now. Thats nearly $300.00 for 3 months, huh?  Would they let you make payments? Thats a big lump to swallow, all at once. And dont you dare use your Vegas money. LOL

[paddbear0000]

Haha! What Vegas money?!

[KT0930]

Padda, I think Jean is right about applying late and that may be where the large sum is coming from. If you apply late or let your coverage lapse (as I did one time) they stick you with a higher rate. The monthly premium you were quoted was based on if you had applied on time.

At least that's how I understand it. Then again, this is the government and they can't get anything right, so maybe they just messed up. Good luck getting it figured out!

[Zach]

When it come to hemodialysis, Medicare is a bargain.

[Jean]

No kiddding!!!! What would we do without it. The price is right as they say. Medicare and scan covered my entire hospital bill for 5 days, except for $200.00 and $75.00 for the ambulance.

[paddbear0000]

Padda, I think Jean is right about applying late and that may be where the large sum is coming from. If you apply late or let your coverage lapse (as I did one time) they stick you with a higher rate. The monthly premium you were quoted was based on if you had applied on time.

At least that's how I understand it. Then again, this is the government and they can't get anything right, so maybe they just messed up. Good luck getting it figured out!

The amount I was quoted was in my letter of approval 2 weeks ago! And no one at the SS office said there was a difference if you applied late. I vote on 'it's the govenment and they messed it up' option!

When it come to hemodialysis, Medicare is a bargain.

No kidding!! i have used over $100,000 of my insurance this year and i've only been on dialysis for 5 months.