Introduction
On July 30, 1965, when I was five, President Lyndon Johnson signed into law the bill that launched the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs. Medicare turns 60 later this month. Similarly, and Lord willing, later this month, I will reach the so-called milestone age of 65. Why don't I feel different?
Welcome, dear reader, to the 111th entry in the Life (such as it is) topic section. On this rainy Monday afternoon, let's explore how my Medicare started today and why I don't feel any difference.
My Medicare Started Today.
Yes, it did. I will mention the onslaught of marketing mailings and how I was not confused.
Marketing Mailings
The first of 44 marketing mailings so far arrived last year on November 21st. Ironically, my paternal grandfather, Marion Ferrell (4/13/1880–11/21/1970), passed away on that day in 1970. Papaw Ferrell would have found humor in that coincidence.
The latest mailing arrived on Saturday, April 12, the day when the Jewish Passover began at sundown. I have been saving and clipping together these mailings. I predicted that I would receive at least 50. Unless more arrive, I missed my prediction by six mailings. I am not sad.
A whole bunch of Medicare marketers were after my money! I am sure that they just wanted to help me “make the right choice” of them.
Not Confused
During my employed years, I had no choice. Payments into the socialist Medicare system were deducted from my paychecks, or, as self-employed, I had to make those payments without any employee-matching payments.
Medicare Parts A (hospital coverage) and B (medical coverage) make up original Medicare. Initially, to fill the gaps in Medicare coverage, insurance companies started offering Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans. The federal government started regulating these plans in 1980. Today, there are 10 Medigap options (Plans A-N with no E, H, I, or J). Depending on your age, you may not be eligible for some of them. Why were the letters E, H, I, and J skipped? Only your federal “guvrmint” knows!
In 2003, Medicare Part C (Medicare Advantage Plans) rolled out. Three years later, Medicare Part D (prescription drug plans) came along.
In a nutshell, all the above are the As, Bs, Cs, and Ds of Medicare. Well, don't forget those A-N supplements (excluding E, H, I, and J)!
I was not confused by the socialist spiderweb maze called Medicare! When I was a life-health insurance agent, I genuinely helped seniors enroll in the best Medicare plan for them. After all, I am just an educated country boy.
Why Don't I Feel Different?
Well, I don't. On Thursday, March 20, this year, I received that coveted red, white, and blue Medicare card. Over time, I selected a Medicare Part C plan. That blue and white card arrived on Wednesday, May 21. The major medical insurance that I had ended yesterday.
Today, I have joined thousands of others whose Medicare coverage started today. Next month, the Medicare Part B premium will be deducted from my Social Security income. That's what Uncle Sam took from me during my employed years. He is paying me back now.
So, why don't I feel any different? I just don't. Of course, last evening, I took out my major medical insurance card from my billfold and replaced it with my Medicare Part C card.
My billfold doesn't feel different. I don't either. If the weather weren't so rainy, I would be doing something outdoors.
Conclusion
I am thankful to the Good Lord that I am still as fit as a rutting buck in my 20s. Of course, I eat right and get enough exercise. I am not taking any prescription medicine.
My days, however, are numbered. Job stated to God, “A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed” (Job 14:5, NIV). Temporal life is “... a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes” (James 4:14, NIV).
Last month, our friends, Jay and Dorothy, lost Dorothy's 90-year-old mother. Our friend, Steve, lost his 82-year-old stepmother. Last Sunday, I found out that my buddy, Bill, lost his 90-year-old mother back in April.
Something will cause my temporal life to transition to everlasting life. I will live forever after I die physically. As such, I do not fear death. I await the transition from physical death to everlasting life in heaven.
Do you, dear reader, have that same assurance? If not, please reach out to me by using the Contact Form on this website. That will start a confidential email exchange.
