Executor

I'm here for you guys...I understand it fairly well....Ask away, if needed. As some of you know, I'm an ex university faculty member so this is one way I can still help people or teach. Unfortunately, my disability caught up to me and I was forced into early retirement or whatever you want to call it....I receive disability....Both through my work plan and SS.

Georgi....Reach is correct in that you are eligible 24 months after your disability onset date...NOT your award. Thus, when your disability is backdated, so is your medicare qualification. Anyone applying for SSD has an "onset" date. This is the date everything kicks in.

Reach....You don't have to accept it if you don't want it. However, it can also serve as a "back up" or "secondary" insurance. I'd recommend getting it. When you have secondary insurance, you usually don't have any medical co-pays...Your primary picks up the co-pay and anything left gets billed to medicare. You could always sign up for one of the basic plans that doesn't cost much.

If you decline medicare, you can get it later during "open enrollment" which is each Fall....Like most insurance policies.

Queenee....As far as the different plans....There are TONS! This is what makes it so confusing, IMO. To make matters worse, each region or part of the country has different approved plans & etc. Thus, if you live in one part of the country, and a friend or family member lives in another part, you may not be able to get the same plan.

When you are eligible to enroll, you log on to their site and type in all your information and a list of plans pop up that you are eligible for...There may be 20+. They are sorted from least expensive to most expensive. You can compare / contrast any of them. Some have higher monthly premiums and lower drug co-pays, while others have lower monthly premiums and higher co-pays. Some have the infamous "donut hole" while others do not. You will pick a plan that is best for your particular situation. This process will also tell you which of your meds are covered and how much they will cost. Some don't cover many of the expensive drugs, while others will.

You can always get help via your local resource center...Your county or town / city gov't also typically offers help. I would use this resource.

Hope this helps.

Ex