How does one get physical therapy if no Medicare part B?

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T

TLC123 Asked September 2014

How does one get physical therapy if no Medicare part B?

My brother canceled his own insurance when he turned 65 believing he was automatically covered by medicare. He subsequently suffered from a stroke and now only his hospitalization is covered. Is there any way he can get help with physical therapy and doctor visit costs? He is not able to enroll in medicare part B until open enrollment.

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score 0 · Answer 1

It was last October, so too late for COBRA and unfortunately (or fortunately!) he doesn't qualify for Medicaid.

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score 0 · Answer 2

It sounds like you know this but just to be clear -- and to slightly correct another answer -- "open enrollment" in this case means January-March 2015 to be effective July 2015. And you don't really pay "back premiums" but you a pay a penalty premium of 10% of the 2015 Part B premium times the number of years since he was first eligible (not necessarily 65) to make up for the fact that he didn't sign up when eligible. (When I say not necessarily 65 a question I would ask is whether he had VA anywhere in there or someone mentioned COBRA -- but only if he was still working -- or there are some other work arounds). You seem to know the situation but just to be sure, go to a local senior center and check with the Medicare volunteer.

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score 0 · Answer 3

And how long ago did he decline Part B? It could cost a penalty to sign up now also since he declined it before. Don't know if there's a way to appeal the late sign up penalty based on some previous mental impairment he might have had (hint hint) but I would try. In the meantime any chance he would qualify for Medicaid from the state until he gets into Part B or a Medicare Advantage program? Or does he still have time to sign up for COBRA coverage under his old plan? Very costly though.

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