Retirement

When you first become eligible for hospital insurance (Part A), you have a seven-month period (your initial enrollment period) in which to sign up for medical insurance (Part B). A delay on your part will cause a delay in coverage and result in higher premiums. If you are eligible at age 65, your initial enrollment period begins three months before your 65th birthday, includes the month you turn age 65 and ends three months after that birthday. If you are eligible for Medicare based on disability or permanent kidney failure, your initial enrollment period depends on the date your disability or treatment began. If you accept the automatic enrollment in Medicare Part B, or if you enroll in Medicare Part B during the first three months of your initial enrollment period, your medical insurance protection will start with the month you are first eligible. If you enroll during the last four months, your protection will start from one to three months after you enroll. If you do not enroll in Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period, you have another chance each year to sign up during a “general enrollment period” from January 1 through March 31. Your coverage begins on July 1 of the year you enroll. However, your monthly premium increases 10 percent for each 12-month period you were eligible for, but did not enroll in, Medicare Part B. In addition to using the SSA website, http://www.socialsecurity.gov, you can call us toll-free at 1-800-772-1213.

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is the Federal agency that administers the Medicare program and monitors the Medicaid programs offered by each state. Medicare makes it easy for you to get information. You can find answers to general questions about eligibility, coverage, and Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) on this Web site. You can also compare health and drug plans, Medigap policies, hospitals, nursing homes, and more! For specific questions about your claims, medical records, or expenses, visit MyMedicare.gov, or call 1-800-MEDICARE .

Go to the Social Security Website http://www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly/. You can use the online Medicare application if you:
•are at least 64 years and 8 months old, •want to sign up for Medicare but do not currently have ANY Medicare coverage, >br>•live in the United States or one of its commonwealths or territories and •do not want to start receiving Social Security benefits at this time.
(If you aren't sure, you can apply for Medicare now and apply online for benefits later.) Traditional medicare comes in 3 parts, Part A and Part B. At age 65 you are automatically enrolled into premium free Part A which helps pay for hospital, hospice and some nursing care.
Medicare benefits most often used come from Part B which helps pay for doctors, outpatient care, laboratory and other medical services which is voluntary.

Go to the government website at: http://www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan/questions/enroll-now.aspx

Medicaid is a joint federal and state program that pays for health care services for those with low incomes or very high medical bills relative to that persons income and assets. Medicaid pays for nearly half of all nursing home care.

Generally not. Medicare only covers medically necessary care under Hospital Insurance Part A and medical insurance under Part B. Long-term care is custodial care given at home or in a nursing home for people with chronic disabilities or lengthy illnesses. Private insurance companies sell long-term care insurance policies. For more information on long-term care insurance speak to your local CPA or get a copy of A shopper's Guide to Long-Term Care Insurance from the National Association of Insurance Commissioners at 120 W. 12th Street, Suite 1100, Kansas City, MO 64105-1925

Medicare is a national health insurance program for people ages 65+, or younger individuals with certain disabilities.
Like most other insurance programs, Original Medicare does not pay for all health care costs. You must pay for deductibles, premiums, coinsurance or copayments. Medicare has four parts:
A. Hospital Insurance - helps pay for inpatient care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility (following a hospital stay), some home health care and hospice care.
B.Medical Insurance - helps pay for doctors’ services and many other medical services and supplies that are not covered by hospital insurance.
C.Medicare Advantage - plans are available in many areas. People with Medicare Parts A and B can choose to receive all of their health care services through one of these provider organizations under Part C.
D.Prescription Drug Coverage - helps pay for medications doctors prescribe for treatment. Go to the Social Security website for more information at http://www.socialsecurity.gov/medicareonly/

Yes. The IRS lets you make changes from Roth IRAs to regular IRAs and back, more than once. After you re-characterize a Roth IRA to a regular IRA, you can convert it again but not until the following year, or thirty days later, whichever takes longer.

No. You may re-characterize your Roth IRA to a conventional IRA by filing an amended return. You would file IRS Form 1040X with Form 8606. This would enable you to get a refund on the Roth conversion payment amount you already paid with the original 1040 income tax return.