Question
14 yrs ago my husband got SSA disability and when eligible for medicare A and B didn't take the coverage due to being covered by his state retirement health insurance. Now 14 yrs later, the state happened to send out a news letter that said that if you declined part B that they would cover only what was secondary coverage percentage+the penalties for late enrollment in B. Needless to say I haven't slept since. Could he stop his disability check for a while and they would again offer him initial part A and B like he had never declined it or drop the check til 65 and not owe the 14 yrs of medical bills? Help
Answer
Hi Mary
It appears he may have been given the wrong information 14 years ago. However, the State should have sent information about their plan to him annually, usually in October. Most people do not read them. Go to the local Social Security and get a copy of MEDICARE AND YOU 2010.. Read the sections on enrollment for Parts A, B and D of Medicare and the penalties for late enrollment. In the center of the back cover is the phone number of the SHIP Medicare trained counseling service. Give them a call and request to meet with one of their counselors. Some of the regulations for Medicaid and for Medicare coverage for disabled persons are different in each State.
What you want to discuss with the counselor are:
Is he subject to some penlites. If so, the possibility of an appeal.
Are any outstanding bills been improperly billed, or not billed within proper timelines and therefore can be appealed.
Help in getting Medicare enrollment straightened out.
If low income:
If eligible for LIS or a Medicare Savings program or the Medicaid Waiver program.
If a vet: Go to the VA web site and on the home page click on PENSIONS.
Go to Benefits,com: Enter information and click continue.
Hope this helps.
John
