Thanks to all of you who wrote me about my Medicare concerns. You will be happy
to know that? I finally contacted my SSDI representative at the Railroad
Retirement Board and he clarified the following information for me.
1.? He recommended that I take Part B now along with Part A that will be
effective Sept 1, 2009.
2.? He said that as long as I have secondary insurance (my COBRA with Blue
Cross), not supplemental, that the COBRA is my primary insurance and the
Medicare will be secondary.
3.? As soon as I turn 65, the Medicare A and B will be my primary and the COBRA
or any other private insurance will be my secondary and my supplemental until
it goes away.
4.? At that time, I will have to select a Part B plan from those that are
available in my area.? I may also want to purchase private insurance for
supplemental benefits.
5.? At that time, I can also sign up for Part D.
5.? The Advantaged Plans are considered to be Part C or Part B and Part D
combined.? They are better than the original Part B and D and cost more as
well, but they include things that would otherwise be picked up with a
supplemental insurance.?
I hope this is not confusing to understand, LOL, and perhaps some of you may
find it helpful.? Thanks again.
Laurie
