AboutJohn Pedit Expertise Am an expert on Medicare, Medicare HMOs, and Medicare supplemental insurance. Also have extensive knowledge of Medicare especially in Mich. Have knowledge of COBRA and the Portability Act
Experience
Past/Present clients Council about 300 persons yearly and do many presentations on Medicare
Question John, I asked my original question a few days ago and you replied with a list of questions. I sent the following message to you - somehow you must not have received it:
QUESTION: Hi, again, John,
Yes, my husband is still working and yes, there are more than 20 at the home improvement box store. There are more than 100 at his store and more than 300,000 nationwide. I don't know if they will issue a certificate that their coverage is as good as or better than Medicare. IT is a PPO through Metlife. I checked and all of our doctors are on the plan. He will probably work forever due to the economy and the loss of retirement funds that we counted on. I don't know if there are any restrictions but I did ask what the lifetime maximum would be and they said it was unlimited.
No, I won't have any other insurance through the hospital as of approximately August 1 and I will have to go on Cobra. The cost of Cobra will be just under $900.00 a month but we have already met our deductibles and as of now, every thing is FREE at the hospital I work(ed) at. I imagine it will be the same with Cobra. The cost of my husband's insurance for both of us will be approximately $811.00 per month with a $550.00 deductible and $3,000 out of pocket for labs, x-rays,etc. which I will be having to get quite often. I will meet that quickly especially if I have to have chemotherapy. The pros of his insurance is that I can go to any hospital and the con of mine is that I have to go to my hospital to get the free coverage. If I go to another hospital, a Tier II would be $2,000 out of pocket and Tier III would be $6,000 out of pocket.
I don't know when open enrollment is available through his employment. Don't they usually have open enrollment at the end of the year? If I am not on Cobra right now and I have not really lost my job or have resigned yet, would his company let us enroll now and the biggest question would be, would they cover pre-existing. Thanks!
Sorry, for the confusion. Would appreciate your advice.
Answer Hi again
Been running between doctors for the last two days. Still a little shaky.
For Him: he will have to go to the SS office and apply for Part A. Be sure to tell them he does not want Part B at this time. Medicare will be second payer for him. He gets the Certificated of Coverage for himself from his employer.
There should be no problem for the two of you with pre-existing conditions unless you are without coverage for more than 60 days.
For You, You have a choice if COBRA OR GOING ON HIS COVERAGE. pick THE ONE THAT SAVES THE MOST MONEY AND HAS THE BEST COVERAGE. check WITH HIS PLAN TO CONFIRM WHEN YOU CAN JOIN IT.
