What I learned about Medicare and "supplement" Medicare

[SheilaT]

12. I am turning 65 in August, and even though I consider myself a fairly

intelligent person, I'm as confused as hell about all these choices.

I FINALLY figured out, after reading stuff on the social security website, that I only need to sign up for Part A, because I'm working for a large enough company (I think it's 50 employees or more) that provides health care coverage, and I intend to continue working for several more years.

I work at a hospital, and our coverage seems pretty good. Not that I often use it, given that I'm exceptionally healthy, basically never sick. I did break an arm four years ago, and last year I had cataract surgery, but that's it.

One of my friends at the hospital who works in our billing department, said to me that her advice is to sign up for Part A, someday get Part B, but do not get one of the Advantage Plans, (Part C) because in her opinion they all too often wind up covering less than A and B will.

Part D is the prescription coverage, which I don't need to worry about until I leave this job. And since I don't take any prescription meds, I guess my best bet is to sign up for the cheapest possible coverage, and then refigure everything if I'm put on any prescriptions.

It's all entirely too confusing, it really is.