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Medicare signup incorrect

Sun., Oct. 13, 2019

Catherine Fields (“These questions can help guide choice of Medicare plan,” Guest Opinion, Oct. 6) incorrectly asserts that one does not need to sign up for Medicare Part A or Part B if one or one’s spouse has health insurance through an employer.

That is incorrect. You must sign up for Part A, but can defer Part B. This is the advice we were given at the Social Security Administration offices, and is corroborated by Phillip Moeller in his must-read book for anyone turning 65, “Get What’s Yours for Medicare.” Failure to sign up for Part A within the window of three months before to three months after turning 65 can mean that you pay additional fees.

Ms. Fields is an insurance agent, not a Medicare expert.

Mary Anne Sullivan

Colbert

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