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
