Reader’s Question:

I already have my own health insurance policy and will still be active. I am already 65 and I am being forced into Medicare in Baton Rouge. Why is that?

Martina

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Thanks for that question, Martina.

All Americans who are 65 years old or over are eligible for Medicare and those who have Social Security benefits are automatically enrolled in Medicare too. You cannot opt out either, or else if you do not enroll in Medicare Part A you will forfeit your Social Security benefits. There is a great number of speculations why this is so but until today, there is no definite and clear answer to this. The way I see it, maybe it was made so such that seniors will find it easy for seniors to enroll in Medicare and did not discontinue when private health insurance coverage became very common for most seniors. We never know if it will change, but since it is the rule at the moment, we cannot disregard and might not be likely to change in the near future.

There are many companies though in Louisiana that offer retiree health benefits that will terminate coverage when you turn 65 because they know that you have access to Medicare at this age. Although you are not forced by the government to choose between Social Security and your private health insurance coverage, the government will be deciding for you in this case.

Although in some cases too, some companies will continue to offer supplemental retiree benefits which can be used together with your Medicare. Among these benefits may include prescription drug coverage, doctor visits, and outpatient health care services. In such cases, Medicare still stands as the primary coverage and you can have your own private health insurance as supplemental coverage.

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