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I was with a corporation recently and a gal asked about her father and Medicare. Happens all the time… “I’m thinking about my dad, he blah blah blah”.
Well, what dad did in this case was signed up for only Medicare Part A because he didn’t want to pay any premium. I quizzed the daughter.. “are you sure? I bet he’s paying for it but just doesn’t realize it..” (because he’s collecting social security benefits.
Well, she finds out that he certainly does not have Part B. What now? He’s 68. He has zero coverage anywhere. If he wants Medicare? He has to wait until January 1, 2020 when the general election period opens up. He can file and then his coverage starts July 1, 2020.
His penalty for delayed enrollment into Part B will also start for him July 1, 2020.
And…… the penalty stays forever! It’s not like a parking ticket that you pay and move on.
What could have helped this gentleman? A phone call to us at age 64.5. Can’t say for sure he wouldn’t have done the same thing that he’s done but I sort of doubt it.
Joanne Giardini-Russell is the founder and VP of Giardini Medicare, an independent Medicare insurance agency she started in 2018. Along with her son Cameron and a dedicated team, they have helped more than 8,500 clients across 24 states navigate the transition to Medicare. Their approach is education first — understand your options, then make a decision. She’s built a following of nearly 100,000 on TikTok by doing exactly that: making Medicare make sense. Reach Joanne at joanne@gmedicareteam.com or the team at 248-871-7756.
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