Medicare Madness

I received two pieces of mail today that confirmed two things that I already knew:

1.     My Medicare Card arrived which confirmed I’m officially old.

2.     A letter from Medicare told me I had to pay an extra $110 per month for Part B, which confirmed that the government is screwed up.

For the youths among you, you need to apply for Medicare three months before you turn sixty-five.  In the application there is a section, which allows you to defer, without penalty, paying for Part B (Doctors) if you are covered by a health care program. I filled that out telling them I was covered by my spouse.   The card that arrived had me listed for both Part A (Hospital) and Part B and I was told they would start billing me in December for the Part B. 

I can’t believe how incompetent the SS administration can be. They allow you to do things online, which is good, but then they don’t seem to read what you have written.  I called the number they provided to figure things out and was on an automated system for ten minutes with no way to get out of it.  They talk to you like you are twelve, and they repeat and repeat and it is horrible. Finally you enter all your information and the real person comes on and asks you for the same information!!  

I tried to explain to Rose what had happened and her response was that I must not have indicated that I wanted to defer Part B. I asked her if she would like me to fax a copy of the form I filled out online, which I had printed out for my records.  “Just a moment please I’ll check with my supervisor”, six minutes of horrible music later, Rose told me that I needed to write a letter stating that I was covered, did not want Part B yet and then gave me the address as to where to send said letter and my Medicare Card.  I’ve sent the letter and we’ll see what happens.

Unfortunately, that was the highlight of the day.  I’ve been running around trying to get everything done that needs to be done, so that I can spend the rest of my time here in the yard.   The kids and Olga are coming for dinner tonight so I’ve made a huge pot of chicken cacciatore, loaded with veggies, chicken and sausage, that should last for days unless Patrick brings his big appetite with him tonight.  Colin and Meagan are coming up Saturday afternoon so that we can celebrate Oktoberfest on Sunday on the deck.

Cindy went to a Rug Party tonight and found two rugs that they are letting her ‘evaluate’ for two weeks before purchasing or returning.  The one I could see looks lovely.  I’m sure she’ll provide more information. She has to work all day tomorrow to make up for the time that was missed during the smoke and heat. Poor puppy will never get caught up on sleep.

Happy Weekend, Wm