Question:
should I switch from acchess to medicare?

I am on acchess and have just started the referal process. I am supposed to go to a seminar in Oct. and get an appt. for surgeon. But, I just found out that my medicare option starts in Oct. Now I don't know if I should stay with acchess or switch to medicare?    — laury (posted on August 15, 2002)

August 16, 2002
Hi Laury, I handle retirement issues, so this raised a flag for me. Is it medicare or medicaid? The reason I ask is because, with medicare, if you choose NOT to join when you are eligible, if you decide to join later down the road (say 5 years later), then medicare PENALIZES you 10% for every year you could have joined, but didn't. This means that in 5 years, if you choose NOT to join until then, you would have to pay 50% MORE in premiums for the rest of your life. This is why I asked if it is medicare or medicaid. I don't knw if medicaid has the same terms. Check it out before you make any decisions! Good luck!
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