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I spoke last to the SS about 2 months ago and the subject was approached and all I remember is that signing up for Medicare would cost almost $100 (automatically debited, of course)

I've tried to search out what Medicare is and, I must be stoopid, 'cause it seems to me Medicare is a word to describe various access to plans ... but not a plan itself.

Am I misreading, suffering from sometimers or what?

I'd appreciate FreepeR's input about what it all means.

I've lost my part time job so all I have at the moment is less than a thou a month SS.

(which serves because I planned years ago, by realistically looking at my wasted years and adjusting my lifestyle to live adequately .. own my home and land, garden, can, etc .. )

If you have private insurance and want to keep it, sign the back of the SS card you’ll get in the mail and send it back. There are two parts; A and B.
A is for hospitalization which you should sign up for. Don’t sign up for B and you won’t get the $100/month for doctors.
If you want both, follow the instructions on the card and SS will take $100 from your monthly SS payment. Check with your doctor to see if he/she is accepting new Medicare patients.

There is Medicare Part A (hospital insurance). That does not cost you anything for premiums.

There is Medicare Part B (outpatient physician coverage). That’s the part that costs about $100-$150 per month or so.

Then there is Medicare Part D (drug coverage). The costs for that are dependent upon which plan you take.

Then there are Medicare supplements, Medigap, etc.

Seriously, if you are physically capable of working, I would suggest trying to find a job with a company that has health insurance as a fringe benefit. I know of a whole lot of folks who work well into their 70s... they do so primarily so they can steer clear of the Medicare mess.

“it seems to me Medicare is a word to describe various access to plans ... but not a plan itself.”

No, Medicare IS the gov’t insurance plan you get at 65. If you’re already drawing Social Security the $99 will be deducted automatically.

I’m kind of surprised Medicare didn’t send you the book they send to all recipients. If you haven’t, they will send it to you.

The various “access to plans” is what is called the “Medigap” plans..A, B, C, etc.

Those are sold by various private companies (Blue Cross/Blue Shield, for example) in your state to “fill in the gaps” (deductibles) Medicare does not pay for. You get Medicare part A and B at 65.

Medicare C is the Medicare Advantage Program (which has no additional premium other than the $99.00 from the SS check) Medicare C would be the equivalent to HMO type coverage. You don’t pay an additional premium, but you have to go to a certain hospital, or certain doctor.

Medicare D is the Prescription Benefit Program, and is administered by private companies. You pay a premium each month, and your drugs are discounted when you purchase them.

FYI, When I turned 65 in August I purchased a “Plan F” from Mutual of Omaha, and pay for it monthly with an electronic debit from my checking account. This is in addition to the $99 they withhold from my SS check. I chose that plan, as I want to be able to use any hospital, or use any doctor that accepts Medicare. “Plan F” fills in, and pays for, all of the deductibles of Medicare.

The Insurance Agent that sells you your auto or homeowners policy Might also be able to sell you a “medigap” policy. If you already know the differences in plans A, B, C, etc, then it’s just a matter of which company you want to purchase the insurance from, as all the plans each company sell is exactly the same, by law. It’s only a matter of premium.

I posted some information in this thread yesterday regarding Medicare and Medicare Advantage:

Rise in Medicare Rates - True or False?
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/chat/2937717/posts

Generally, depending on your state, you can sign up for regular Medicare OR one of several Medicare Advantage plans.

Under regular Medicare the billing goes to Medicare for processing, and Medicare determines the benefits.

Under Medicare Advantage, a private insurance company has contracted to be the billing and benefits agent. Medicare Advantage tends to offer a few benefits that regular Medicare does not offer.

Premium for Medicare is deducted automatically from your SS. If you elect a Medicare Advantage plan, you may pay no additional premium or you many select plans with additional premiums, depending on your situation.

Download the ‘Medicare and You 2012’ for general information from medicare.gov. ‘Medicare and You 2013’ should be available in early October.

http://www.medicare.gov

I went through this a year ago, and learned several things:
1 The Medicare website actually has some useful information.
2 Part A, hospitalization is the only thing that is "free".
3 Part B, Doctor care, is what costs $100 per month, but is optional.
4 Part D is the drug plan. It is a VERY GOOD idea to get an insurance supplement, which can cost as low as $20 per month, because that freezes you in at a lower rate for future plans where you could have higher drug costs.
Part ? is the Medigap, private insurer plan. Mine costs about $130 per month. AARP sucks you in at a lower monthly rate, but then raises it significantly in a few years. I refuse to use it on principle. Fortunately, my employer (I'm now retired) provides a free service which finds plans for this, with no agent fees. It saves me about $30 per month over friends with agents. I've had a couple of moderately high medical expenses in the last year (the first in my life), and have paid zero in non-insurance costs.

"so all I have at the moment is less than a thou a month SS"

If you are on a budget the cheapest way to go is the HMO Medicare Advantage Plan. SS gives the $100 deducted from you SS check to the insurance company and you have a choice of plans such as HMO, PPO, or FFS. Depending on where you live there might be an HMO plan without any monthly premiums, including prescriptions. But you have copays. Doctor copay might be $7. Specialist might be $15. Emergency room might be $50, unless you are admitted and the copay is waived.

Go to the SS website, then to the advantage plan page, type your zip code number in and they will display all the companies and the advantage plans offered in you location.