Covering the Bases: Options for paying your Medicare premiums

I am turning 65 in January and will begin my Medicare. However, I am postponing receiving my Social Security payments until I am closer to 67 years old. How do I pay my Medicare monthly premiums if there are no Social Security checks from which deduct the premiums?

The default method of payment will be paying your premiums directly to the Medicare Premium Collection Center. You will be billed on a quarterly basis and may pay by check or credit card.

You may opt for the Medicare Easy Pay to have your monthly Medicare premium deducted from your checking or savings account each month. Visit www.medicare.gov and type in "Medicare Easy Pay" in the upper right hand search tool to find more information on this option. If you do not use a computer, you may call 1-800-Medicare and inquire about this option.

I am a retired federal worker and do not collect Social Security. I am enrolling into Medicare Parts A and B. Like most people, I am entitled to premium-free Medicare Part A. Like most people, I have to pay for Medicare Part B. What options for premium payment do I have?

In addition to the methods described above, you also have the option of having your Medicare Part B premiums deducted directly from your civil service annuity. To begin this process, send an e- mail to [email protected] requesting that your Medicare Part B premiums be deducted directly from your civil service annuity.

My sister has such a low income ($902/month) and only $500 in savings. She can barely afford to live, let alone pay a Medicare monthly premium of $104.90. Is there any help?

It is likely she could have her Medicare Part B monthly premiums paid by the state of Maryland under the Medicare Savings Program. If a person's income is below $1313/month (below $1765/month for a married couple) and their assets are below $8,580 (below $13,620 for a married couple), the state of Maryland will pay their monthly Medicare Part B premiums. Assets do not include her home, her personal possessions, her car, or her life insurance. Please call your local SHIP program at 410-222-4464, ext. 3080 for more information on this program.

Amy Rubino is director of the Senior Health Insurance Assistance Program and the Senior Medicare Patrol for the Anne Arundel County Department of Aging & Disabilities. SHIP assists people with their Medicare-related questions; SMP assists people with issues related to Medicare fraud. You may contact either program by calling 410- 222-4464 or [email protected].