I am on disability and elected a HMO instead of Medicare. It is secondary because my husband is still working. Once he isn't working, it will be primary.
Karen
I've been in health plans that state once a person is eligible for Medicare, they must sign up, and it will become the primary insurance. Probably can vary from state to state, though. As far as discrimination goes, the fact that those of us who are under 65 can't have Medicare could also be considered age discrimination.
Having any options whatsoever is not as common as some might think. I work for the federal government, so I have vast options among plans, but this is only the second job out of over a dozen where I had any choice at all. It's almost always been take it or leave it.
Here's one for you: I have a coworker who was covered under her husband's plan. It stated that if she became eligible for health insurance in her own right, she was required to take it and make her husband's secondary. Heck, she might have been required to get off his plan altogether.
Wow Alex, that is some big change. I sure hope this doesn't become a trend. We have three options where I work, and fortunately I am locked in to the top tier and it has worked to our advantage, even though it is the priciest of the health care options.
Keep us posted on the changes, ok? I will be curious to hear more.
Insured, thankfully!
Lulu
I am going through a similar thing in Maine. They want all people over 65 to be part of Medicare. Isn't that age discrimination? I've not been able to find much on the internet. Have you checked out your state laws? Charley