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sioux4noff

Sep 26, 2011, 10:24 AM

Post #1 of 23 (2958 views)

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Social Security and Medicare

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My husband began receiving Social Securoty at age 62. He is now approaching his 65th birthday and will be Medicare-eligible.
From what I understand , he does not have to pay to get part A Medicare. But the Part B has a cost.
Since we live in Mexico full time, it doesn't seem to make sense to sign up for Part B or any of the other supplemental coverages.
My question is, if we do decide to return to the US and he wants Part B, will there be a penalty for not having it previously?Or do they somehow waive the penalty because you didn't have Part B because it was of no use to you?
I also need to call our health insurance provider and inquire about how our insurance meshes with Medicare, and again if being out of the US makes a difference to them.
Any light you can shed on this would be most appreciated.

karenanron

Sep 26, 2011, 10:33 AM

Post #2 of 23 (2947 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] Social Security and Medicare

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I"m in the same boat and everthing I've read says there will be a penalty. I turned 65 last March and just sigened up for part A

RickS

Sep 26, 2011, 10:44 AM

Post #3 of 23 (2936 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] Social Security and Medicare

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"...and he wants Part B, will there be a penalty for not having it previously?"

You can bet your sweet bippies there is a penalty.

"...the cost of Medicare Part B will go up 10% for each 12-month period that you could have had Medicare Part B but didn't take it. You will have to pay this extra amount as long as you have Medicare Part B."

That's not just 10% more but an accumulative 10%! So, if one decides to not take Part B for, say, 5 years after 65, and then wants to get into Part B, the cost to do so will the 50% (10% times 5 years) more than the then current monthly charge for Part B. At today's rate, which is currently somewhere around $115/mo, that means that one would have to pay $172.50 per month instead of $115. And it will always be 50% more than 'normal'.

The preceding quote and more info can be found at:

http://www.medicare.gov/MedicareEligibility/home.asp?dest=NAV|Home|Resources|SurchargeCalcQuestions|ResourcesOverview&version=default&browser=Firefox|6|WinXP&language=English

P.S. This subject has been discussed a lot in previous Posts here. Just do a search to find out more info.

(This post was edited by RickS on Sep 26, 2011, 10:47 AM)

Brian

Sep 26, 2011, 10:49 AM

Post #4 of 23 (2931 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] Social Security and Medicare

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Take a look at this earlier message thread. My wife and I were government employees and she did not participate in Social Security. She was not eligible to enroll in Medicare while we were living in Mexico. I developed a medical condition which forced a return to the USA. At age 68, she applied for Part B and was told she would have to pay a higher monthly premium. I pointed out a loophole for ex-government workers and, after a review, she didn't have to pay the penalty:

http://www.mexconnect.com/...ring=Medicare;#66446

morgaine7

Sep 26, 2011, 11:32 AM

Post #5 of 23 (2912 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] Social Security and Medicare

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US Foreign Benefits Unit staff visited La Paz in August and held a meeting for SS/Medicare-eligible folks. My understanding is that there is a 10% monthly penalty if we don't sign up for Part B when first eligible but decide to do so later. Apparently, for those entitled to Social Security, there's no exemption for living out of the country at the time of initial eligibility.

Other interesting info from the meeting:

* Beneficiaries with US addresses on file with SSA are enrolled in Part B automatically. If they don't want it, they have to opt out in advance to avoid having the Part B premiums withheld from their SS. Those of us with Mexico addresses on file with SSA will be "invited" to join Part B a few months before our 65th birthdays and must opt in.

* Beginning in January 2013, the SSA will no longer issue checks. All payments will be by direct deposit.

I'd advise calling the nearest FBU to confirm all this, but that's what I have in my notes.

Like your husband, I took SS at 62 and will turn 65 in 2012. I'm still undecided about Part B, mainly because I can't afford both it and my current insurance (which covers me worldwide including Mexico and the US).

Kate

(This post was edited by morgaine7 on Sep 26, 2011, 11:59 AM)

Brian

Sep 26, 2011, 11:51 AM

Post #6 of 23 (2903 views)

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Re: [morgaine7] Social Security and Medicare

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"Apparently there's no exemption for living out of the country at the time of initial eligibility. "

There is indeed an exemption for some individuals living outside the United States. Read this from the Medicare FAQ:

"(3) If you are a U.S. citizen, over age 65, are NOT eligible for social security benefits and lived in a foreign country when you turned age 65, you must reside in the U.S. in order to file for Part B. You are first eligible to enroll in Part B the month you return to the U.S. to establish U.S. residence. If you enroll in Part B when you return to the U.S. to establish residence, you will not have to pay higher premiums"

morgaine7

Sep 26, 2011, 12:00 PM

Post #7 of 23 (2894 views)

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Re: [Brian] Social Security and Medicare

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Thank you for the correction. I edited my earlier post accordingly.

Kate

RickS

Sep 26, 2011, 12:13 PM

Post #8 of 23 (2883 views)

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Re: [Brian] Social Security and Medicare

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But as you pointed out, this exemption ONLY applies if you were NOT eligible for Social Security.... i.e. some kind of government employee or could otherwise opt out of SS for some reason. Most folks will fail this 'test' and therefore WILL have to pay the 10% cumulative penalty if opting into Part B at a later date.

sioux4noff

Sep 26, 2011, 12:17 PM

Post #9 of 23 (2879 views)

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Re: [morgaine7] Social Security and Medicare

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Thank you everyone for the help.

magicEgg

Sep 26, 2011, 11:16 PM

Post #10 of 23 (2802 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] Social Security and Medicare

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I"m in the same boat and everthing I've read says there will be a penalty. I turned 65 last March and just sigened up for part A
lucky dress
monalisa dress

stevebrtx

Sep 27, 2011, 3:05 PM

Post #11 of 23 (2712 views)

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Re: [magicEgg] Social Security and Medicare

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Ok, my story, it is what it is. I was drawing my wife's survivor benefits until I turned 66 (my retirement age). I applied for my full SSI and received it, minus $100 thank you, they had automatically enrolled me in Medicare. I began the process of trying to back out, called SSI, they sent me to Medicare etc. Finally got hold of a young guy and said I want to drop medicare, I'll use the $1,200 for something else as I'm 700 miles from the nearest Medicare provider. He said (I swear) "you want to disenroll?" - I paused a moment to think and asked him "is disenroll a real word?" - he repeated it and I said YES I want to disenroll. Well, seems I need to fill out a form to "disenroll" - I said I darn sure didn't have to fill out one for you to start taking $100 a month out of my check - he was unmoved.

So, they sent the form, I filled it out sent it in and waited a month, called, got nowhere, waited another 30 days, called and got nowhere, so I finally gave up, I'm "enrolled" in Medicare, I pay $1,200 a year for squat (do you have any idea how much cerveza that is?)
http://www.chapalaweather.net

DavidHF

Sep 28, 2011, 6:39 AM

Post #12 of 23 (2659 views)

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Re: [stevebrtx] Social Security and Medicare

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Steve, the next time you go north go to a SS office and they'll take care of it for your. I had a problem that I tried to resolve from here over the phone and got nothing but endless frustration. When I was visiting NOB I went to an office and they took care of it in 5 minutes. If you're successful I'll split the $1200 with you!

Gringal

Sep 29, 2011, 8:08 AM

Post #13 of 23 (2558 views)

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Re: [DavidHF] Social Security and Medicare

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Neither my husband nor I wanted Part B of Medicare, so I called the SS office, explained why not and the lady said we needed to write a short note to that effect, have both of us sign it and send it off to the SS office. She also said it takes about three months to take effect, since we were already on the Part B rolls. It all happened as she said it would.
No point in getting pussed off at the bureaucracy: It won't go away and you'll miss out on a lot of beer money.

This was several years ago. If we ever move back to the U.S.A. (unlikely) the amount we've saved will probably cover the increase until we croak. I see the Part B number as a wonderful scheme to extort money for services not rendered.

morgaine7

Sep 29, 2011, 8:40 AM

Post #14 of 23 (2547 views)

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Re: [Gringal] Social Security and Medicare

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By "SS office", do you mean here in Mexico, or in the US?

Kate

Gringal

Sep 29, 2011, 10:08 AM

Post #15 of 23 (2528 views)

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Re: [morgaine7] Social Security and Medicare

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I don't remember. Probably the US, office number shown on their website since we have our checks deposited there and have the "Texas address" in their files.

morgaine7

Sep 29, 2011, 10:36 AM

Post #16 of 23 (2517 views)

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Re: [Gringal] Social Security and Medicare

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Thanks, it does get confusing. They have my Mexico address but send me forms here that have to be mailed to the US. Go figure!

Kate

rockydog85251

Oct 6, 2011, 7:15 AM

Post #17 of 23 (2274 views)

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Re: [morgaine7] Social Security and Medicare

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I am sure that SSA has our Mexican address but makes deposits to our US bank......they have just started this month, taking out the part B premium - without my permission, etc.
I am trying to call the Guadalajara office, but the number given on the SSA website only gives me a recording - in Spanish, saying the service is not available. Our land line phone here, will not make calls to 1-800 numbers in the US.
Does anyone have any other contact info that might be helpful? We have no plans to go to the US in the future.
Thanks for any help with this!
Willie

Don

Oct 6, 2011, 7:27 AM

Post #18 of 23 (2266 views)

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Re: [rockydog85251] Social Security and Medicare

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To call a U.S. 800 phone number from Mexico. Call 880 instead of 800. You will have to pay for the call.

Here is also the web site for the U.S. consulate in Guadalajara. They handle S.S. http://guadalajara.usconsulate.gov/

(This post was edited by Don on Oct 6, 2011, 7:32 AM)

morgaine7

Oct 6, 2011, 7:45 AM

Post #19 of 23 (2253 views)

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Re: [rockydog85251] Social Security and Medicare

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Here's the info I have from two years ago when I applied. Calling works better than emailing. 52 is the country code, so I believe we leave that off when calling from within Mexico and start with 333 (or 01 333) as appropriate.

Federal Benefits Unit
American Consulate General
Progreso 175
44100 Guadalajara, Jalisco
Mexico
Phone: 523-3326-82139
Fax: 523-3382-57942
Email: FBU.Guadalajara@ssa.gov

Kate

(This post was edited by morgaine7 on Oct 6, 2011, 8:08 AM)

joaquinx

Oct 6, 2011, 8:26 AM

Post #20 of 23 (2235 views)

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Re: [rockydog85251] Social Security and Medicare

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In Reply To

I am sure that SSA has our Mexican address but makes deposits to our US bank......they have just started this month, taking out the part B premium - without my permission, etc.

If SSA has your address in the US, you will automatically get part B unless you opt out. If SSA has your address outside of the US, you will not get part B unless you opt in.

Secondly, if your address is outside the US, you will get a form once a year to fill out and return to SSA. If, somehow, you don't, your SS benefit can be suspended until you do.
_______
My desire to be well-informed is currently at odds with my desire to remain sane.

(This post was edited by joaquinx on Oct 6, 2011, 8:28 AM)

rockydog85251

Oct 6, 2011, 9:05 AM

Post #21 of 23 (2206 views)

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Re: [joaquinx] Social Security and Medicare

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Thanks to all for such prompt info.....I will pursue it today & report back about how it turns out.
Willie

sioux4noff

Oct 6, 2011, 9:14 AM

Post #22 of 23 (2199 views)

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Re: [rockydog85251] Social Security and Medicare

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Part B is automatic, you must opt out of it. At least if you have a US address. My husband turns 65 in January, he got a card in the mail recently at our Texas address. It clearly says if he does nothing, he will have parts A and B, to not have part B, he must sign and return the card before January 1st.
I have finished checking with my health insurance company, and it looks like everything will work out fine for him if he opts out of Part B.

rockydog85251

Oct 6, 2011, 10:16 AM

Post #23 of 23 (2180 views)

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Re: [sioux4noff] Social Security and Medicare

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I am just off the phone with the Guadalajara SSA office and the very nice young man that I spoke with, did verify that because we have a Mexican address, there should be NO automatic enrollment in Medicare part B. I called him at:
800 772 63 94 in GDL.

He told me to send a letter/email/fax to: FBU.Guadalajara@ssa.gov and to request that they stop the deduction and why, and that I understand there will be a penalty if I sign up for it later and that I can only enroll in Jan-Feb-Mar. He even thought there might be a chance that they would reimburse the deductions and I DID request that. He also said that the person that handles this is out of the office until next Tues.

I will update with the next developments as they happen.
Willie