I have gotten FOUR calls from the gummament asking if I wanna sign up for Medicare. At the second it was the same Lady. I said "Brittany, this is the second time you called me in an hour. I'm STILL 60. Got two more calls in a couple hours. Missus Fan turns 65 in October. Guess they take the "One Flesh" idea seriously.
Why does the gummament want me to sign up for Medicare
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UncleEd
Member
Get at least one call daily, sometimes more, for the last month or two.
One of the hooks is referring to a new administration to justify the call.
One of the hooks is referring to a new administration to justify the call.
Maybe they're trying to reach the Mrs.
Regular working folks are not eligible for Medicare until they're 65 and the Gov't doesn't have family plans.
Regular working folks are not eligible for Medicare until they're 65 and the Gov't doesn't have family plans.
If it's for your wife it's likely legit. For you - not so much!
IF YOU DON"T sign up when eligible there IS A PENALTY!!!!
IF YOU DON"T sign up when eligible there IS A PENALTY!!!!
I agree with S&Wchad that it is likely a scam.
Try googling the number that they are calling you from. Bet it does not come up Medicare.
Hmm. On the other hand, above point about you need to sign up when 65 is correct. If I recall correctly, you have a number of months to do so. Medicare's main number for inquiries is 800-633-4227. I would call re the wife.
Try googling the number that they are calling you from. Bet it does not come up Medicare.
Hmm. On the other hand, above point about you need to sign up when 65 is correct. If I recall correctly, you have a number of months to do so. Medicare's main number for inquiries is 800-633-4227. I would call re the wife.
Don't bother calling for her. SHE should call, if warranted. They aren't going to talk to you.
And yes, she must sign up.
In addition to MC A, you must get a MC D plan or have an equivalent.
As others have said, you may suffer a lifelong penalty for failure to do so in the allotted time.
And yes, she must sign up.
In addition to MC A, you must get a MC D plan or have an equivalent.
As others have said, you may suffer a lifelong penalty for failure to do so in the allotted time.
We went to an hour presentation on it. And yes she knows she has to do it within a month of her birthday. You might be right it is a scam. Phone call is a local number. And gummament is hillbilly Government
Medicare doesn't call to recruit people to enroll. It's each person's responsibility to file for both Social Security and Medicare. You also have to find a supplement if you don't have one through your employer. Most people don't, but public sector retirees often do.
Mister Coffee
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Agree with @Denverd0n. 
Medicare.gov is your friend. Sign up when you become eligible. Medicare Parts A & B are often referred to as "Original Medicare." They take the premium payments automatically out of your Social Security, but you can change that if you like. Part D is separate and covers prescription drugs. Shop for a Part D plan you like and pay a separate premium.
Medicare Part C is "Medicare-ish." What it amounts to is your chance to stay covered by a private insurance company and deal with all of the pro's and con's of that.
I go to the trouble of explaining all of the above in order to say that I have Part A, B and D, and I have never been more satisfied with health insurance. The only way to improve it would be to make it entirely free. Medicare is one of the very few things that doesn't totally suck about being an old guy.
Good luck, sir.
Medicare.gov is your friend. Sign up when you become eligible. Medicare Parts A & B are often referred to as "Original Medicare." They take the premium payments automatically out of your Social Security, but you can change that if you like. Part D is separate and covers prescription drugs. Shop for a Part D plan you like and pay a separate premium.
Medicare Part C is "Medicare-ish." What it amounts to is your chance to stay covered by a private insurance company and deal with all of the pro's and con's of that.
I go to the trouble of explaining all of the above in order to say that I have Part A, B and D, and I have never been more satisfied with health insurance. The only way to improve it would be to make it entirely free. Medicare is one of the very few things that doesn't totally suck about being an old guy.
Good luck, sir.
It ain't the government calling you. Either a Medicare broker or a scam.
MTC(SS)Ret
US Veteran
I agree it's probably a scam. The best advice I received is that neither Social Security or Medicare will call. They do any communication through the mail. Also agree you and your wife should each open a SS and Medicare account. Easy to do and there is a lot of information available.
Pisgah
Member
Social Security is NEVER going to call you unless they are returning a call from you. If news from SS doesn't come by mail, it is a scam...
I have been on Social Security for 10 years, Medicare for 7. When my home phone traffic became 80 calls a day from various SS/Medicare scammers I finally did what I swore I would never do and dropped my landline service. NO PHONE CALL COMES FROM THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.
I have been on Social Security for 10 years, Medicare for 7. When my home phone traffic became 80 calls a day from various SS/Medicare scammers I finally did what I swore I would never do and dropped my landline service. NO PHONE CALL COMES FROM THE SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.
THE PILGRIM
Member
It ain't the Govermint calling you!
It's an insurance bunch trying to sign you up for their plan.
Like already posted, you need to go to Gov site and read up.
It's an insurance bunch trying to sign you up for their plan.
Like already posted, you need to go to Gov site and read up.
I have employer supplied health insurance. (State government) I called Social Security Administration because I wasn't able to work through the online process. I was told I didn't have to file for Medicare until I planned on retiring. I still had them sign me up for Part A. ( A little insurance against that threat of PENALTY!) If you have qualifying health insurance you don't need to file until you plan a retirement date. Then you will want to file prior to terminating your current health insurance. In that respect there will be no penalty.
Medicare- you must sign up within the period of 3 months before your 65th birthday to 3 months after your 65th birthday, otherwise there will be penalties to pay. Do not go by your "retirement date" unless that will actually be at age 65.
As has already been well-covered, this is a scam. The SSA/Medicare won't call you.
The caller either wants your info for ID theft purposes or they want your Medicare info to steal money from the government.
On a semi-related note, never say the word "yes" to a suspected scam caller. Google "say yes scam" for why.
The caller either wants your info for ID theft purposes or they want your Medicare info to steal money from the government.
On a semi-related note, never say the word "yes" to a suspected scam caller. Google "say yes scam" for why.
My health insurance company pressured me to apply for Medicare when I turned 65. I then filed for Social Security & Medicare on their website. I did receive a followup phone call from the Social Security Administration (from a very nice woman). Whenever there are any documents to review SSA emails me to go to my online account.
SSA never cold called me though, I reached out to them first. I believe they are very conscious of all the fraud out there and I don't remember being asked any sensitive information from them.
SSA never cold called me though, I reached out to them first. I believe they are very conscious of all the fraud out there and I don't remember being asked any sensitive information from them.
I took my SS at 62, 45 years serving the public and I had had enough. When I turned 65 I was automatically enrolled in medicare parts A&B, I didn't have to do a thing. If I didn't want part B I would have had to notify them.
Maddog 521
Member
Another----"Medicare don't call"
^^^ the above is my thought as well.
There are many legit "Medicare Advantage Plans" which take money from the government that would have gone to Medicare and provide coverage to you as a private insurer. Many of these have favorable terms and some cost you nothing. However, the ones that cost you nothing will likely have high deductibles.
My suggestion is to find a trusted Medicare advisor who will review your circumstances and advise you to go with Medicare or suggest a particular Medicare Advantage plan. Either way, be careful not to miss the Medicare signup deadline.
If your wife is already collecting Social Security she may be (or will be) automatically enrolled in Medicare
Part A is free and you should go ahead when eligible. Part B (Medical) is the part with a fee. You can defer part B without a penalty IF you are covered under a medical plan ( like an employee plan) I took Part A when I was 65 but take Part B until after both my Wife and I retired several years later. When you do apply You'll need to get a form signed by your employer stating you and spouse were covered under an Employer plan between X dated and there won't be a late penalty.
Mister Coffee
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Good point. Medicare goes out of its way to educate seniors about fraud and security. The scam culture that has been born out of the good, old Internet should be on everyone's daily concern list. It's gotten to the point where I won't give my own mother my real name.
In my experience, the people at medicare.gov are very professional, courteous and helpful. But have haven't had direct contact with them over the last 8 months, so I cannot vouch for the current state of affairs.
For most folks Part B is critical.
Medicare Part B is considered critical for most people because it covers a wide range of medical services and supplies that nearly everyone will need at some point, and going without it can create major health and financial risks. Here's a breakdown:
1. What Part B Covers
Part B pays for the day-to-day, non-hospital health care that most people rely on:
2. Financial Protection
In short: Medicare Part B is critical because it provides access to the doctors, preventive care, and treatments most people depend on, protects against crushing out-of-pocket costs, and avoids lifelong late penalties.
Medicare Part B is considered critical for most people because it covers a wide range of medical services and supplies that nearly everyone will need at some point, and going without it can create major health and financial risks. Here's a breakdown:
1. What Part B Covers
Part B pays for the day-to-day, non-hospital health care that most people rely on:
- Doctor visits (primary care, specialists)
- Outpatient care (including same-day surgeries)
- Preventive services (screenings, vaccines, annual wellness visits)
- Durable medical equipment (walkers, wheelchairs, home oxygen, etc.)
- Ambulance services
- Certain drugs administered in a clinic (e.g., chemotherapy, injections)
2. Financial Protection
- 80% coverage: After a small deductible, Medicare Part B pays about 80% of covered services, leaving you responsible for 20%.
- Medigap/Medicare Advantage: Most people pair Part B with either a Medigap plan or Medicare Advantage plan to reduce out-of-pocket costs further.
- Without it: Even routine care or specialist visits could become unaffordable, and major treatments (like cancer care) could be financially devastating.
- If you delay signing up for Part B when you're first eligible (unless you have qualifying employer coverage), you may pay a late enrollment penalty of 10% for each year you should have had it — and that penalty is permanent.
- Skipping Part B to "save money" often backfires: you not only risk huge medical bills but also lock yourself into higher premiums for life if you later change your mind.
- Many doctors and outpatient facilities expect patients to have Medicare Part B coverage.
- Without it, you may struggle to find providers who will see you, or you'll face higher, uninsured rates.
- Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities, hospice, and some home health care.
- But most people's medical needs are outside the hospital — that's where Part B is indispensable.
In short: Medicare Part B is critical because it provides access to the doctors, preventive care, and treatments most people depend on, protects against crushing out-of-pocket costs, and avoids lifelong late penalties.Huskerguy
Member
The office of Medicare, i.e the government is NOT calling you. The only time they will call you is when you sign up for Medicare on-line and someone will call you a few days later to confirm your choice.
What you are probably receiving and I get them all the time are scammers saying they are from Medicare and want to set you up with a new card or else a great Advantage plan. Welcome to being 60, it gets worse when you hit the magic number.
What you are probably receiving and I get them all the time are scammers saying they are from Medicare and want to set you up with a new card or else a great Advantage plan. Welcome to being 60, it gets worse when you hit the magic number.
Doug M.
Member
There are two conditions that qualify you for medicare before 65, enacted during the Nixon administration. One is Black lung, IIRC; the other is ESRD (end stage renal disease) at the time you start dialysis. I got on medicare when I was 62 as a result. It has been fantastic in general. I would not bother with an "Advantage" plan; the ones I have looked into were utter crud.
-BTM-
Member
AudieMurphy
Member
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