I just got my first premium notice from Medicare...

[HouseOfDialysis]

For 3 months, it's $923.20... WTF?

I just was a awarded a seconded job to pay my kid's $700 a month in ABA bills... I was expecting something like $350 or so from Medicare, not over $900. I don't have time for a third job.

[kellyt]

Post transplant I receive Medicare for 36 months.  I pay $346.20.  I started at around $300, but it's increased every year.  I lose my Medicare the end of Oct.   

[HouseOfDialysis]

Every month or every quarter?

[cath-hater]

That doesn't sound right. I live in Southern California and I have Medicare Part A and B. I pay about $350 every 3 months. Like Kellyt said, I started out at about $300, but has increased little by little every year. Have had Medicare since 2002, so a $50 increase over 9 years isn't so bad.

[kellyt]

Yes, I'm sorry, every three months. 

[HouseOfDialysis]

After alternating three calls to SSA, Medicare, and back to SSA, it's an invoice for eight months, going back to February when I started dialysis. But the invoice clearly says QUARTERLY on it for July, August, September. You can assume I was less than thrilled seeing that. My cost is 115.40 per month. They want half of it by the end of the month. Just damn.

[willowtreewren]

I was going to chime in that our first Medicare bill was a whopper because it went back....

I see you got the same whammy. So sorry.

Aleta

[kellyt]

I can't remember if my first bill was more or not.   I was never on dialysis.  I feel for you and hope you are able to get it paid without any problems.   

[cath-hater]

that's right. when i signed up for medicare, they asked me if i wanted to go back. this way, if i had any unpaid bills, medicare would take care of them for me, as long as i pay the premium amounts for those back months. i told them i didn't have any unpaid bills, so going back wasn't gonna do anything for me.

did you have any unpaid bills before signing up with medicare? that would be the only reason why someone would want to pay back months.

[Chris]

I guess it was diffeent back in 1999 on how they did things or my situation was different. I only pay $96 a month for A,B, and D that is taken out of my disability check and I never had to pay Medicare money in order to have Medicare with past medical bills.
 
This just seems odd how things are done.

[Marina]

http://www.medicare.gov/MedicareEligibility/Home.asp?dest=NAV|Home|GeneralEnrollment#TabTop

If you didn’t sign up for Medicare Part B when you first became eligible, you may be able to sign up during the General Enrollment Period. This period runs from January 1 through March 31 of each year. During this time, you can sign up for Medicare Part B at your local Social Security office. If you get benefits from the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), call your local RRB office or 1-877-772-5772. Your Medicare Part B coverage will start on July 1 of the year you sign up.

--->>> Important: The cost of Medicare Part B will go up 10% for each full 12-month period that you could have had Medicare Part B but didn’t take it, except in special cases. You will have to pay this penalty as long as you have Medicare Part B.

      

[rsudock]

Being sick isn't cheap apparently...good grief! I hope you find a way to keep coverage!

xo,
R

[WishIKnew]

damn, just damn...  my most recient Medicare bill is $545.00.  Like someone said, being sick is expensive!

[Annig83]

I know Medicare offers assistance programs for those who are below certain incomes.  I have been unemployed since May of 2010 due to my kidney failure, although I have both Medicaid and Medicare.  My Medicaid pays my Medicare premiums, and I only pay 1-3 dollars for my meds. 
 Maybe if you call and tell them your situation and what is going on they will be able to help out?
If you are already working two jobs to meet your bills you may qualify for assistance?
http://www.medicare.gov/navigation/medicare-basics/medical-and-drug-costs.aspx

Good luck!

[jazzin11]

Yeah, my first Medicare statement was for around $1500...they explained that it was retroactive back around 15 months.  My own deductibles from private insurance during that time were over $20,000, so, naturally I paid the bill.  The $18,000 refund was more than welcome!!  Once you are caught up, the premiums are reasonable.  Let's hope the politicos in Washington DC don't take it away from us like they seem wont to do.

[The Noob]

hubbys first medicare premium we got was for 3 months, it was over $660.00. the social worker got it paid by NKF i think. the private insurance we had at the time had a $6000.00 deductible before they paid anything, except for inpatient.
we thought about aarp or even medicaid at one point, but the insurance specialist said not to. said it would complicate things, and medicaid could and would cut him off at any time for any reason and the "spend down" could be as much as $1000.00 a month. what we would have to pay first. holy cow what a racket.

[HouseOfDialysis]

I'm almost up to date with the original Medicare premium. Now, it's almost time to pay for October-December... HA!

Though, I am proud that I have raised $1000 out of nowhere in three months! Sure, I work 7 days a week and I'm a bit snappish, but bills are getting paid.... Right?

thpppppppppt

[tbarrett2533]

Ron,

there are programs to help people, you just have to look into them
my local DHHS pays my medicare payment and also my private Ins payment

Please look into the program:
the medicaid buy in program for the working disabled (do a google search)

(this is the program that I am in that pays for all of my health ins)

[KarenInWA]

Okay, I just got my first medicare premium, for $892.20.  Thing is, I haven't needed it!  i signed up for it because of my transplant, but I honestly don't need that much of it for the previous months.  What do I do???

I'm trying to not spend too much so I have money to pay my bills while I'm out from work.  I will be getting STD, but still!  It's 100% for the first month only, after that, it is 50%.

KarenInWA