I’m 56 and on Disability because of Kidney Transplant and loss of legs below Knee.

  1. 11498 POINTS
    Jason Goldenzweig
    Co-Founder, TermInsuranceBrokers.com, Goldenzweig Financial Group, Las Vegas, Nevada
    Original Medicare (Part A & Part B) generally covers approximately 80% of your health care expenses. A Medicare supplement (Medigap) plan can cover gaps in Original Medicare (up to or all of the remaining 20%, depending on the plan). This is the optimal structure for many individuals.

    Plan A and Plan C are usually available Medigap plans for people under 65 on Medicare, but the premiums can be much more expensive than when you're 65 or older.

    An alternative option would be a Medicare Advantage plan. I would recommend consulting with an insurance agent/broker to compare Medigap and MA plans that are available (and see if you have a special enrollment period available for Medicare Advantage plans - if you don't have a special enrollment period, you would have to wait until the Annual Enrollment Period (October 15-December 7 of each year) to enroll in one).

    For individuals on Medicare who are 65 or older, they would likely only have a group plan through an employer (if they're still working) to provide secondary coverage (although the group plan may pay first and Medicare pay second). Under this scenario, you would likely only have secured Part A and not Part B of Medicare as Part B requires monthly premiums - Part A is generally premium-free for most individuals.

    The premiums for a traditional under 65 health plan for someone 65 or older would be substantially more expensive than setting yourself up under Part A, Part B, and securing a Medigap plan or enrolling in a Medicare Advantage plan.
    Answered on March 29, 2014
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