Medicare part B nightmare

E

E0dman

PEB Forum Regular Member
Registered Member
I just completed the PDBR process.
I am 100 PT disabled from the VA, and 30 percent from the Army, upgraded from 10 percent, backdated to 2002.
As a disabled vet I was able to go to the VA so I was told I declined medicare part B back in 2005.
Now I cant enroll in part B until the open enrollment period, and I will be penalized 10 percent for every 12 months I could have had part B.
Now I'm being told I will loose tricare coverage.
Have any of you experienced this? Tricare was the biggest reason I started this process, both my wife and I need to see a doctor.
I'm confused, bewildered, and tired of fighting for every inch.
any help would be appreciated.
 
E0dman said:
I just completed the PDBR process.
I am 100 PT disabled from the VA, and 30 percent from the Army, upgraded from 10 percent, backdated to 2002.
As a disabled vet I was able to go to the VA so I was told I declined medicare part B back in 2005.
Now I cant enroll in part B until the open enrollment period, and I will be penalized 10 percent for every 12 months I could have had part B.
Now I'm being told I will loose tricare coverage.
Have any of you experienced this? Tricare was the biggest reason I started this process, both my wife and I need to see a doctor.
I'm confused, bewildered, and tired of fighting for every inch.
any help would be appreciated.
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Who exactly is feeding you information? Tricare is a lifetime benefit that you get because of your retirement. I would suggest researching the tricare website, or calling them. You will automatically be enrolled in standard based on the retirement, or can pay the fees and get prime. Other options as well, but those are the two most widely used.
 
The predicament is Tricare requires you enroll in part B when eligible. When enrolled in part B you are no longer Tricare Standard or Prime, but Tricare for Life (family stays standard or prime).

If you are Tricare eligible and decline part B then Social Security is supposed to cease monthly compensation and Medicare benefits, but you maintain Standard/Prime insurance. You simply supply a letter to DEERS indicating you're not currently eligible for Part B or are not enrolled.

You should have no issue with DEERS and Tricare, but the SSA could be another hurdle.

I would focus on DEERS/Tricare first. Get you and your family enrolled. Then work the Medicare/SSA issue.
 
Exactly as pitt stated...I'm going through this myself and was advised as above.
 
ranger2992 said:
Who exactly is feeding you information? Tricare is a lifetime benefit that you get because of your retirement. I would suggest researching the tricare website, or calling them. You will automatically be enrolled in standard based on the retirement, or can pay the fees and get prime. Other options as well, but those are the two most widely used.
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Who is feeding me information?
-Tricare website; "TRICARE beneficiaries who have Medicare Part A, must have Medicare Part B to remain TRICARE-eligible."
-Tricare/ medicare pamphlets.
-DAV Service officer in my locality.
-Tricare benefits adviser in my locality.
-Helpful veterans who know what they are talking about, or have been through this specific situation, or at least similar.
-These forums


If I'm being "fed" wrong or outdated information, I need to know, I came here for help.

I was medicare eligible back in 2005, however at the time I was not retired, so there was no reason to have part b so I declined it.
I have medicare part a, and in order to get part b, I need to wait until open enrollment, and I'm being told I will loose my tricare within months because I am eligible but don't have part b.

So I'm required to have something I cannot get, and when I do get it I will have to pay a penalty.
I have Tricare standard right now, but I'm being told I will loose tricare altogether within months because I don't have Medicare Part B.
 
E0dman said:
I just completed the PDBR process.
I am 100 PT disabled from the VA, and 30 percent from the Army, upgraded from 10 percent, backdated to 2002.
As a disabled vet I was able to go to the VA so I was told I declined medicare part B back in 2005.
Now I cant enroll in part B until the open enrollment period, and I will be penalized 10 percent for every 12 months I could have had part B.
Now I'm being told I will loose tricare coverage.
Have any of you experienced this? Tricare was the biggest reason I started this process, both my wife and I need to see a doctor.
I'm confused, bewildered, and tired of fighting for every inch.
any help would be appreciated.
Click to expand...

pittpan2005 said:
The predicament is Tricare requires you enroll in part B when eligible. When enrolled in part B you are no longer Tricare Standard or Prime, but Tricare for Life (family stays standard or prime).

If you are Tricare eligible and decline part B then Social Security is supposed to cease monthly compensation and Medicare benefits, but you maintain Standard/Prime insurance. You simply supply a letter to DEERS indicating you're not currently eligible for Part B or are not enrolled.

You should have no issue with DEERS and Tricare, but the SSA could be another hurdle.

I would focus on DEERS/Tricare first. Get you and your family enrolled. Then work the Medicare/SSA issue.
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usafaviator said:
Exactly as pitt stated...I'm going through this myself and was advised as above.
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Wow, I see this is still a nightmare of an administrative medical issue in which the military veteran continues to suffer in the end. :(

In my opinion, this is due to a medical requirement that effects active duty service members upon award of SSA SSDI benefits then achieve the 24-month SSA SSDI eligibility for Medicare services and thereafter the Tricare requirement for Medicare enrollment.

Thus, I quite often comment that "possessing well-informed knowledge is truly a powerful equalizer."

Best Wishes!
 
E0dman said:
I was medicare eligible back in 2005, however at the time I was not retired, so there was no reason to have part b so I declined it.
.
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Message NDBravehart84. He went through it and was able to have it fixed.

The problem is you declined Part B. I understand why you did and why many others want to, but now you're in a tough position because of it. It's a problem that needs fixed.

Ask for supervisors of both Tricare/DEERS and Medicare. See if you can conference call all at once.
 
pittpan2005 said:
Message NDBravehart84. He went through it and was able to have it fixed.

The problem is you declined Part B. I understand why you did and why many others want to, but now you're in a tough position because of it. It's a problem that needs fixed.

Ask for supervisors of both Tricare/DEERS and Medicare. See if you can conference call all at once.
Click to expand...

Thanks!
 
When exactly did you complete the PDBR process? I am asking this because if you were just "Medically Retired", you have an 8 month open enrollment with no penalties accessed.

I was just medically retired but also received TAMP benefits and I declined my Medicare Part B coverage until after my TAMP coverage ends.

Please let me know how this works out for you.
 
I have a whole rang if issues PTSD and other things. The problem is every timer I see a military medical provider they write down a bunch of really negative things about me and the kicker is its all personal. I have four combat deployments and to come home to be treated like this is BS. Do anyone have any advice?
 
Dcmd124 said:
When exactly did you complete the PDBR process? I am asking this because if you were just "Medically Retired", you have an 8 month open enrollment with no penalties accessed.

I was just medically retired but also received TAMP benefits and I declined my Medicare Part B coverage until after my TAMP coverage ends.

Please let me know how this works out for you.
Click to expand...

I've been out of the army since 2002.
I sent my BDBR packet FEB 12 2013. I received the final packet with orders etc... on May 23rd 2013.

I've not been able to work since 2003, I am 100 percent P/T at 80 percent with unemployabilty.
I would be happy just to go to the V.A. clinic out here, however, I've had a few problems dealing with pain from a herniated disk in my spine, service connected, and other medical issues including mental health for my PTSD, service connected, all of which are not being treated.
Since Iv'e been out so long I'm not able to see a Retirement Service Office, however I am in touch with a service officer.
I am filling out my dd 2656 today, I also need to apply for CRCS, CRDP, and I'm writing to the Army Review Board Agency to fix my DA 199 line a/b/c to show my disability was a result of an instrument of war.

This medicare part b problem may be fixed by me writing a letter, and filling out some forms.

My advise to anyone who is going this alone like am, don't give up, don't let anyone's opinion sway you (opinions aren't always in line with actual legal issues), and remember, the government is a bureaucracy; file paperwork! know what forms are required before sending the paperwork, make copies of everything, DO NOT GIVE UP!
 
Gator6 said:
I have a whole rang if issues PTSD and other things. The problem is every timer I see a military medical provider they write down a bunch of really negative things about me and the kicker is its all personal. I have four combat deployments and to come home to be treated like this is BS. Do anyone have any advice?
Click to expand...


My advice is to remember that these "professionals" are people. Most likely people who have mental health issues themselves, but feel "cured" by something they did to make their mental health issues get better. They did not go through 4 combat deployments to a hostile country (most likely), you have.
-Be honest with them
-learn calming grounding exercises
-know you aren't the first to go through this, nor will you be the last
-accept the fact there are things YOU can do to make your symptoms better
-accept the fact there are things YOU can do to make your symptoms worse.
-If they are writing negative things about you, its because you are telling them negative things
-begin to allow yourself to heal, remove the negative things in your life
-if you cant let the negativity end, find a positive and focus on it
-change or don't, its up to you, with freewill you can change
 
EODMAN: I don't have the regulation in front of me but since you just 'Retired' 23 May 2013, I know for a fact that there is an eight month open window with no penalties for Military Retirees to enroll in Medicare Part B. I would start with you local SSA office because they are your servicing SSA office. After SSA, work your way towards to DMDC, and lastly Tricare.

I had an almost similar situation but mine was dealing with TAMP benefits.

Please read this:

[PDF]​
 
Woman.....thanks for your advice, you are right I am the only one who is in control of my life. Thanks again.
 
Gator6 said:
Eodman..... Thanks for helping
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I rec'd SSDI while on Active Duty and because my SSDI was RETRO, I was immediately eligible for Medicare A/B.

NO ONE told me to hold off on Medicare Part B, so I signed up and started paying the premium right away, even though I didn't need it.

TRICARE told me to do this right away! So I have supposedly now paid for the B premium when I didn't have to.

TWO YEARS WORTH - 2,400 SOME BUCKS WORTH.

BUT DO YOU THINK I CAN GET ANY OF THAT MONEY BACK?????

HECK NO!!!!!

V/r,
nwlivewire
 
Medicare Part B is not a requirement while you are on active duty tricare (you can waive it) however the moment that you REFRAD you must begin paying the part B benefits in order to receive Tricare for life.
 
gsfowler said:
Medicare Part B is not a requirement while you are on active duty tricare (you can waive it) however the moment that you REFRAD you must begin paying the part B benefits in order to receive Tricare for life.
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Shame that Tricare gave me bad info & told me I had to get it right away. I didn't know about this NOT paying until discharge or REFRAD until WAY after the fact.
 
That sucks, my medicare packet from the SSA practically encouraged me to waive it (probably to save them money). There was even a card enclosed that was filled out for me to sign and send back.
 
gsfowler said:
That sucks, my medicare packet from the SSA practically encouraged me to waive it (probably to save them money). There was even a card enclosed that was filled out for me to sign and send back.
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Wow! That's cool! Could be SSA was not as up to speed on this when I got awarded in 2010.

Glad to hear you were able to save some unnecessary dollars going out your door.

Let's hope this is SOP now. Tricare was just too greedy on me.

V/r,
nwlivewire
 
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