[Baz]

I'm 67 - will be 68 in June.

I started drawing my SS in 2018 when I turned 64, 2 years before full benefit....because I did the math and didn't want to forgo 2 years of retirement benefits for the small amount of gain over the remaining years of my life.

Drawing early allowed me to semi-retire and thus have a less stressful lifestyle. Not sure that can be equated into any monetary terms and will be different for everyone, but for me it made perfect sense and I have zero regrets.

Since I was already enrolled in SS, when I became eligible for Medicare 2 years later I sought out and retained a Medical Advantage plan from Humana. I was lucky enough to get signed up by the head manager of our local office in the area while I was at our Walmart. They set up a table in front so anyone can come up and discuss their needs, etc. I had already researched who I wanted as my provider well in advance by interviewing many folks I happened to know and run into and by far Humana was the prevailing favourite.

The whole sign up took about 10 minutes. Got my paperwork and ID card in the mail. I signed up for a HMO plan and one for people who don't bring with them existing health issues. This plan I signed up for doesn't take as much out of your SS to pay for your Plan B. My current deduction per month is only $75.00.

It's going to be different depending on which state you live in and which county in that state, as I understand it. So you will have to check it out. Humana on their website has a way to do that by just punching in your zip code.

Humana requires 2 checkups per year. I also get a blood test through Quest prior to each checkup. All costs of those are covered under my plan. The blood tests are easy to sign up for in the Quest website. I learned to do this at least 3 months ahead of time to get a morning appointment because you're supposed to fast 12 hours before the test and this way I'm not starving longer than necessary...lol.

Any prescriptions I have gotten so far have been covered. I did go to an orthopedic doctor and had to pay a small co-pay - like $20 maybe.

What I like is having these twice annual checkups now and also knowing I have a cap on medical expenses should anything serious develop. My doctor is great too.

Also, to go to a specialist my GP has to set it up --- except for dermatology --- which doesn't require that - I can just show up with my ID card without a note from my doc. Maybe it's because we're in Florida with a lot of potential skin issues.

Anyway - I hope this helps provide more data for whoever needs it.

I can't believe I'm this freaking old now - going on 68. But at the same time thankful I have some bennies to go along with it!