Hello everyone
I received the application for part B to remind me I am getting old. The form is designed for those in the US. Should I just write in my address the best I can and send to the SSA directly or go through the FBU as I did for Social Security?
Thanks
Hi. As you are overseas, I'm pretty sure you would need to contact the Embassy there and apply through them. Here is some more information that you may or may not find helpful, just in case.
You will have no coverage from Part B while overseas, but if you return to the USA you would have coverage (80% of the cost of service). This is doctor's visits, bloodwork, tests, etc., not done in a hospital. (Part A covers hospitals, subject to the deductible of around $1,700 and a 20% copay). The current deductible for Part B is roughly $260, and then you pay 20% of anything above that. (Note that charges for medicare patients are set by the government, so an office visit that would normally cost $500 for a non-medicare patient is probably going to be much less, possibly in the low $100 range, and you would be responsible for only 20% of that after the deductible.)
The current premium for Part B coverage is $185 per month unless you are a high-income retiree. See -
https://www.medicare.gov/publications/11579-medicare-costs.pdf?mod=article_inline It adjusts every year - I've never seen it go down, only up.
If you choose to forego part B at this time, you can get it later if you return to the USA. Normally if you don't sign up when you turn 65 there is a penalty applied to the premiums based on how long it's been since you turned 65 (I think it's 10% added for every year you are without Part B); however, if you have been covered by employer insurance during the time you did not have part B after your Initial Enrollment Period (65), I think (and you'd best check to see if overseas insurance coverage counts) there is no penalty for late enrollment if it's within 8 months of when you lose that private insurance.
In short, if there's no chance you're going to return to the States to live, but only on vacations, travel insurance might be a better purchase. Here's a website that explains things pretty clearly. Good luck!
https://www.medicareinteractive.org/understanding-medicare/health-coverage-options/medicare-and-living-abroad/how-to-enroll-in-medicare-for-those-who-first-qualify-when-living-abroad
