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Lani · 06-05-2009, 01:42 AM

of acting on misinformation can be significant.

Is your mother treated at a private oncologist's clinic or a cancer center. If the latter, see if they have a social worker at least and perhaps a financial counsellor in addition and check out everything they tell you once again before acting.

Your local Cancer Society may have advice as to those with expertise in this issue.

I would not rely on the oncologists advice that she "has to get medicare" as your oncologist went to school to be an expert on cancer, not an expert on the changing rules on how to have insurance coverage once you turn 65. I assume your mother does not work (that opens issues as to whether medicare is her primary or secondary). I am not certain how spouse coverage affects one's Medicare coverage, but at least I know what I don't know and know enough to tell you to get knowledgeable people to inform you and even then check out what they tell you. There can be many variables that go into play in how medicare A and B and medicare drug coverage (D) work in different scenarios AND the rules are subject to change.

Do your homework and then double check your homework.

Maybe Joe can suggest some other resources--AARP comes to mind, but you want someone with a cancer-bent to think through the implications of your proposed actions. Again, I wouldn't rely on the anecdotal accounts of any one person or even one "financial services expert from a medical center" or even one social worker. Check it out and double check it and ...your mother is one lucky lady to have you looking out after her best interests!

Sorry to sound so cautionary, but the implications of a wrong decision might be huge financially.

PS I believe you have to sign up for but not necessarily take Medicare benefits when you are 65 and there is a difference here between A B and D
but I know WHAT I DON"T KNOW and know that what I thought I knew may have changed. People in the field may even know what changes have been proposed and may be pending in Congress, so it is probably most wise to widen your field when you seek the answers.

Best of luck identifying the right information-giver and again BE sure you double check their info.

06-05-2009, 01:42 AM	#2
Lani Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 4,778	sounds like you need to research this one really well as the consequences of acting on misinformation can be significant. Is your mother treated at a private oncologist's clinic or a cancer center. If the latter, see if they have a social worker at least and perhaps a financial counsellor in addition and check out everything they tell you once again before acting. Your local Cancer Society may have advice as to those with expertise in this issue. I would not rely on the oncologists advice that she "has to get medicare" as your oncologist went to school to be an expert on cancer, not an expert on the changing rules on how to have insurance coverage once you turn 65. I assume your mother does not work (that opens issues as to whether medicare is her primary or secondary). I am not certain how spouse coverage affects one's Medicare coverage, but at least I know what I don't know and know enough to tell you to get knowledgeable people to inform you and even then check out what they tell you. There can be many variables that go into play in how medicare A and B and medicare drug coverage (D) work in different scenarios AND the rules are subject to change. Do your homework and then double check your homework. Maybe Joe can suggest some other resources--AARP comes to mind, but you want someone with a cancer-bent to think through the implications of your proposed actions. Again, I wouldn't rely on the anecdotal accounts of any one person or even one "financial services expert from a medical center" or even one social worker. Check it out and double check it and ...your mother is one lucky lady to have you looking out after her best interests! Sorry to sound so cautionary, but the implications of a wrong decision might be huge financially. PS I believe you have to sign up for but not necessarily take Medicare benefits when you are 65 and there is a difference here between A B and D but I know WHAT I DON"T KNOW and know that what I thought I knew may have changed. People in the field may even know what changes have been proposed and may be pending in Congress, so it is probably most wise to widen your field when you seek the answers. Best of luck identifying the right information-giver and again BE sure you double check their info.