Question
In Jan. through March of 2008 I was searching for information on medicare. I called SS office in Reading, PA and explained I wanted information about what I had to do to sign up for medicare. They asked for my ss number and said I wasn't eligible because I did not have enough points. I replied I thought I was eligible because of my husband's points. They asked how old he was. He at the time was 64 so they said I could not sign up on his points until he was 65. I am a year older than he is. I thought this was strange so I called the number listed on the medicare site which I believe is the office in DC. This office told me the same answer. Then I called Blue Cross. They said the same thing. So I called AARP and they said the same thing.
We went to sign up for medicare two weeks ago at the Lancaster, PA office near my husband's office which is about 45 minutes from our home. They said I should have signed up last year. We were both very frustrated and protested we had been given information by two of the ss offices that said I was not eligible to sign up for medicare at that time. The ss office said I would have to pay a penalty because I did not sign up on time and I had no proof I had contacted the other offices.
After thinking about it, I decided to call the telephone company to get the telephone record and was told I could only get that if I get a judges order which I would think means I need an attorney to do this. I have no idea how much the penalty would be or if that would set me up for other penalties. I don't know whether to pursue this or let it go and pay the penalty. I would be willing to pay the fee to the phone company to get the number if they could not find that I called both offices if medicare would be willing to pay the fee to the phone company if they find my number because I know they will find that I called and they may have a recording of my call.
Answer
Hi Gloria
A lot of people gave you the wrong information. When something like this happens, you should call the SHIP office listed in the center of the back cover of the Medicare and you manual you should have received. You can also get a copy at the Social Security office.You can call the SHIP office for Pa at 1-800-783-7067 and request to speak with a counselor. They will meet with you and help you out.
You can call 1-800-medicare====as soon as the line is answered say AGENT====this WILL TRANSFER YOU TO A VOICE SYSTEM. when SOMEONE ANSWERS TELL THEM YOU WANT TO SPEAK TO AN ENROLLMENT SPECIALIST. when YOU GET THE ENROLLMENT SPECIALIST, EXPLAIN THE SITUATION AND TELL HER YOU WANT TO MAKE AN APPEAL. Sorry about the caps, I forgot to switch. Be prepared for long waits in the phone transfers. Do not call on Monday or early in the morning.
John
