Just a quick chime in: Since you mention you are collecting SSDI. In order to keep / get your Tricare benefits you must purchase Medicare Part B. There is no way around that. Congrats on getting a retirement.
Yes to Dcmd124.
It was my experience the following:
I rec'd SSDI in an AUG month (AUG 2010).
I was still on AD (FULL PAY) and going through IDES at the time of receipt of SSDI (AUG 2010).
I was authorized SSDI 14 months BEFORE I rec'd my IDES ratings (OCT 2011)
My SSDI was retro paid in AUG 2010 back to DEC 2007.
So I THOUGHT (and was told) I HAD to pay MEDICARE A/B.
I have been told this is WRONG - IF you are on AD.
I have been told you DO NOT need to pay for Medicare B UNTIL you are discharged.
I don't know if this helps, but I'd thought I'd throw this in there.
NOW, since I have retired on PDRL:
I have been told I MUST pay my Medicare A/B premium in order to maintain my eligibility for TRICARE.
My Medicare A/B is 104.90 p/month from my SSDI. There will be NO increase in the premium rate through FY 2014-2015.
TRICARE is a SECONDARY payor. That means that Medicare pays first, then Tricare pays whatever they pay - if anything.
The upside to this is that you have a "dual" coverage here in the USA and it's territories - for whatever that is worth.
The downside to this is for those who DO NOT live within the USA or it's territories.
Retirees who live or go to school OUTSIDE the USA & it's territories MUST pay for Medicare OR LOSE THEIR TRICARE ELIGIBILITY.
MEDICARE IS ONLY GOOD INSIDE THE USA & IT'S TERRITORIES.
IT IS NOT VALID OUTSIDE THIS AREA.
YET, the VETERAN who chooses to attend school OUTSIDE that area IS OBLIGATED TO PAY FOR MEDICARE in order to MAINTAIN TRICARE - which IS good for use OUTSIDE the USA & territories.
So, a VETERAN PAYS for something they CANNOT use in order to USE something they CAN.
Just another weird thing about the insurance industry and our government rules that just doesn't make sense.
What I don't understand is WHY I HAVE to pay for a health care system I CANNOT USE outside the USA (Medicare A/B) in order to MAINTAIN a health car system I CAN USE outside the USA (Tricare).
Especially since health care costs in overseas nations are FAR FAR lower than here in the USA. (no Kidding!)
I'm frankly surprised that our health care insurers HAVEN'T already told us to get our surgeries outside the USA.
I know. People here think the USA has the best medicine in the world - the best hospitals - all that stuff.
Well, in SOME particular respects we do. But we cost an arm and a leg and a firstborn child.
Google medical tourism - you'll see what I'm talking about.
I was traveling as an "Aide" to a very wealthy person at one time in my life. And one time, we were in New Zealand and THIS PERSON got sick
So I took this US civilian (non-military) to a regular NZ "GP" Doctor.
NO CHARGE for the visit. AND only 10 NZ dollars for the RX meds!
So I think they ought to eliminate the MANDATORY PAYMENT for MEDICARE A/B if you TRAVEL/LIVE OVERSEAS.
You can't use it , so why pay for it?
Just so you can keep you TRICARE?
How messed up or wrong is that?
ESPECIALLY if you are a DISABLED VET who has NO access to health care OTHER THAN Tricare?
NO VA - NO MEDICARE - ONLY TRICARE.
But you still have to pay for Medicare - AND THE MEDICARE POLICY IS NO GOOD TO VETS - ESPICALLY FOR THOSE ON THE GI BILL IN A SCHOOL outside the USA and it's Territories.
But WE have to pay for it in order to keep OUR Tricare insurance in force. - an insurance that CAN work overseas (and what a pain in the A$$ that is). That's another story.....
I submit to you that this is an "F"ed" up system.
We want Veterans to "be all that they can be". But we HOBBLE the VETS financially .
Something is VERY WRONG with this picture - unless you come from a "Disneyland" family that is.
I don't - do you?
V/R,
nwliveiwre