Got my Medicare card

[BlackSkimmer]

5. Hi XanaDUer2! I went to a medicare info class run by our local Council on Aging yesterday.

Let me tell you what I learned as a new member also!

First of all, our county (and I think you're in the same state) has great resources for seniors. Every county in NC has a SHIIP office.

I was not going to avail myself of the Part D because I take no medications. Aspirin and Benadryl are my go to if something is needed.

BUT, (big but) if you do NOT get the Plan D when first eligible - you WILL be penalized lifetime 10% for each year you don't sign up.

Some of them are as low as 5 bucks.

A second point that I found important: 45 companies sell all the supplemental plans, 37 in my area.

No matter WHAT plan you buy, at what expense, a $300 a month plan is no different than a cheaper one. Each supplemental plan (all the letters lol) pay EXACTLY the same, no matter what YOU are paying.

Third point. The Council on Aging in your area will sit down with you and go through EVERYTHING you want to ask.

If you don't have a Council on Aging, there is a SHIIP office in your county. And they will do the same with you. SHIIP is the Seniors Health Insurance Information Program. They will answer every question.

Here's the website and number that I was given yesterday. This is all non-profit and a service for seniors. www.ncshiip.com

855-408-1212

The guy that gave our seminar was fantastic. I was so confused by Medicare, but I feel much better about it now.

Anyway, sounds like if you're taking meds, get on D ASAP, therefore you face no penalty. But whether it be BCBS, United HealthCare, Humana, whoever! The plan pays the same, so get the cheapest!