# America's Elder Crisis, Medicare Edition **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [March 4, 2021, 5:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146 "2021-03-04T05:55:49Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 24
**Author:** ![Si\_Amigo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/si_amigo/32/2877_2.png) [@Si\_Amigo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Si_Amigo)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2026, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146/461 "2026-04-30T22:29:45Z")
Is that with a spouse and kids? That’s crazy expensive for an employer plan. ---
**Author:** ![doreen](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/858c86/32.png) [@doreen](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/doreen)\ **Post date:** [April 30, 2026, 11:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146/462 "2026-04-30T23:17:09Z")
It is for a family plan - but that’s not the cost an employee/retiree pays,They pay about $710/month. Which means my employer pays about $2390/month for an employee/retiree with a family plan. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146/463 "2026-05-01T16:54:46Z")
When I retired my employer gave us access to a slightly-subsidized version of the existing employee plan, and this year for a full family it was about $3200/month. I have priced on the open market most years, and I’ve found some cheaper, but not much at the same level of coverage. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [May 1, 2026, 7:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146/464 "2026-05-01T19:21:26Z")
> [@Raza](#): > > Others can correct me, but under COBRA you would pay the _full_ premium, both your traditional amount plus the amount your employer pays. Right, as I said it was expensive. The advantage is that you get the rate negotiated by your employer - in my case a Fortune 100 company, so pretty good, and you get to keep your doctors. I looked at ACA, but it had high copays and wasn’t necessarily accepted by my clinic. I was glad to get off Cobra and on Medicare, for sure. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146/465 "2026-09-22T19:48:33Z")
I just received notice from our Part D (prescription) insurer, Blue MedicareRX, that our premiums will be increased next year. By a lot. This year, we (wife and I) are each paying zero dollars premium each month. Next year, the premiums will be raised to 45 bucks each month, for each of us. So we’ll go from paying nothing to paying over a thousand bucks in premiums next year. Yes, I will be shopping for other plans, just as soon as they are available. This is bullshit. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 22, 2026, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146/466 "2026-09-22T20:01:30Z")
Agree it’s bullshit. I wonder how much the year(s) of zero premiums were just a way to lure in a bunch of people and then crank the rates and hope most of them are too lazy / senile / set in their ways / ignorant of the Part D procedures to bother switching. I too have enjoyed a zero-premium Part D for the last 2 years. I’ve not gotten any news about my 2027 premiums, but thanks to you I now know to be paying close attention. I probably would have been anyhow, but now it’s for sure. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [September 25, 2026, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146/467 "2026-09-25T20:00:38Z")
Just got my Part D brochure. The good news is my premium is going up from $0.00 to $5.30/mo. I can handle $63/year. The less good news is the deductible goes from $615 to $700. So that’s another $85. we’re up to ~$150/year increase. Then come the copay changes. Basic Meds = “tier 1” = $15 this year and $20 next year. Per month. So $5/mo = $60/yr increase per med. That can add right up. Fancier meds = “Tier 2”. $20 copay goes to 25% copay. That’s where this could screw somebody who’s watching their pennies. The higher tiers are even worse. Bastards. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 5:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146/468 "2026-10-12T17:48:37Z")
This is a long thread, so forgive me if this has been covered. I just retired and have things mostly worked out, but I’m getting a part B premium increase based on their most recent income report ('24 W-2). I see that you can challenge some findings but don’t know if it’s possible to get evaluated for current income, rather than having to pay extra for 1-2 years until your tax return catches up. Thanks for having this thread. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 5:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146/469 "2026-10-12T17:56:11Z")
Very short version: Go to the SSA website, obtain Form 44 which is a PDF. Fill it out and snail-mail (yep) it to your local SSA office. It’s pretty simple. Form 44 is designed for exactly that situation, the transition year(s) when your _taxable_ income craters upon retirement. You tell them what you expect to have for taxable income in 2027 and they just take your word for it. But … if you get it wrong enough they’ll (eventually) bill you for any unpaid IRMAA that later tax returns show you should have paid waay back when in 2027. Longer versions ... You can read about it upthread here: > [@America's Elder Crisis, Medicare Edition](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146/378): > > That matches my understanding. AIUI … Every year until death they will assess IRMAA based on your tax return from 2 years ago unless you file form SSA-44 to explain why a different number is applicable to your case. Bottom line being: While your year to year income is pretty stable, the SSA’s default behavior is close enough. Whenever you have a significant disruption in income or change in family situation you can file form SSA-44 to make the change in IRMAA assessment take place a year so… And in even more detail here, with some gotchas: > [@Countdown to retirement](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/countdown-to-retirement/981653/970): > > Here’s a vexing story about IRMAA that is a cautionary tale for everyone approaching their own retirement. Since we each only really retire once, we never get very good at it. So one person’s experience navigating the transition can be useful for others. play_button Explanation of IRMAA for those who don't know what it is and how it works ... Now comes the vexing tale. Well, I retired towards the end of 2023. My 2021, 2022, and part-year 2023 taxable income (mostly W2) and married status put me in a h… ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146/470 "2026-10-12T19:53:14Z")
I probably should have added ‘is there a time limit on it?’ ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 12, 2026, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146/471 "2026-10-12T23:58:45Z")
In what sense? You can file the form any time. About any relevant year. It’ll take them a couple months to process it and make a decision and if appropriate change your B & D premiums. My recollection is that they do not offer a refund if you overpaid for e.g. the first half of the year before they approved your form. But that’s not a sure fact; I might be mistaken. Is that responsive? If not ask a longer question. ---
**Author:** ![OttoDaFe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ottodafe/32/356_2.png) [@OttoDaFe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OttoDaFe)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 6:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146/472 "2026-10-13T06:00:41Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > … My recollection is that they do not offer a refund if you overpaid for e.g. the first half of the year before they approved your form. But that’s not a sure fact; I might be mistaken. … My excess payments were refunded shortly after my request to rescind IRMAA was approved. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 11:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146/473 "2026-10-13T11:46:32Z")
Thanks for the update / correction. Good to hear. When I was approaching retirement I knew this issue was out there and my retirement date was early enough in the year that I had time to file it promptly upon retirement. It must have taken effect timely enough that I had paid little or no excess so hardly noticed the refund. ---
**Author:** ![Railer13](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/railer13/32/9742_2.png) [@Railer13](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Railer13)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146/474 "2026-10-13T13:52:57Z")
> [@Railer13](#): > > Yes, I will be shopping for other plans, just as soon as they are available. > [@LSLGuy](#): > > The good news is my premium is going up from $0.00 to $5.30/mo. I can handle $63/year. The best (cheapest) plan I can find also has a premium of $5.30 a month, or $63 a year. That’s $126 for my wife and me. Not as good as $0, but better than $1087 if we keep the same plan (and change pharmacies). Our drug costs remain at $0 for each of the five meds that we currently consume daily. ---
**Author:** ![Raza](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/raza/32/213_2.png) [@Raza](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Raza)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2026, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146/475 "2026-10-13T16:12:18Z")
I’ve been in a $0 plan for the last ~2 years and the only outlier is Eliquis. For the first fill of the year I’m paying about $470 for a 3 month supply, but then it decreases each quarter as deductibles and whatnot are met. Given the premium, it’s still the best overall value for me, and coincidentally the company has the best Part D rating in my state. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2026, 7:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146/476 "2026-10-14T19:14:53Z")
Yeah, sorry if I seemed cryptic, I’ve just seen enough things where ‘you have 30 days to dispute these findings…’ FWIW, I have seen something on the gov’t website aobut addressing overpayments but didn’t look into it. I’ll get back to the thread if there’s something interesting there. And thanks so much for starting this thread. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [October 14, 2026, 7:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146/477 "2026-10-14T19:30:20Z")
> [@outlierrn](#): > > And thanks so much for starting this thread. I’m not sure if that was directed at me or at the thread in general. I’ve contributed a few posts based on my as-lived experience. But I sure didn’t start this thread. The actual OP @JohnT started this thread to share his hard-won knowledge as a professional Medicare counselor / salesperson to baffled seniors. Now _that_ deserves thanks from all 62 of the other posters. And however many hundred have been reading along silently. Thank you John! This is the kind of work that makes the Dope great. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2026, 1:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146/478 "2026-10-15T01:10:29Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > The actual OP @JohnT started this thread to share his hard-won knowledge as a professional Medicare counselor / salesperson to baffled seniors. > > Now _that_ deserves thanks from all 62 of the other posters. And however many hundred have been reading along silently. > > Thank you John! This is the kind of work that makes the Dope great. Strongly seconded. ---
**Author:** ![outlierrn](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/outlierrn/32/3005_2.png) [@outlierrn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/outlierrn)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2026, 4:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146/479 "2026-10-15T16:00:01Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > I’m not sure if that was directed at me or at the thread in general. I’ve contributed a few posts based on my as-lived experience. But I sure didn’t start this thread. That was such a great answer I I got you confused with the OP. My apologies and appreciation to JohnT. ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2026, 8:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146/480 "2026-10-15T20:24:10Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > The actual OP @JohnT started this thread to share his hard-won knowledge as a professional Medicare counselor / salesperson to baffled seniors. > > Now _that_ deserves thanks from all 62 of the other posters. And however many hundred have been reading along silently. > > Thank you John! This is the kind of work that makes the Dope great. Heartily agreed! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146.md?page=23) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/americas-elder-crisis-medicare-edition/937146.md?page=25)