Nebraska Department of Insurance
THE NEBRASKA HEALTH INSURANCE INFORMATION, COUNSELING, AND ASSISTANCE (NICA) PROGRAM
MARCH 1999 NICA NEWS
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
Q: What happens to the claims for a person who has died?
A: When a Medicare beneficiary dies, the method Medicare pays Part B claims will depend on whether the doctor or supplier's bill has been paid. (Any Part A payments due to the hospital, skilled nursing facility, home health agency or hospice will be made directly to the provider of services.)
If the bill was paid by the patient or with funds from the patient's estate, Medicare's payment will be made either to the estate representative or to a surviving member of the patient's immediate family. If someone other than the patient paid the bill, payment may be made to that person.
If the bill has not been paid and the doctor or supplier does not accept assignment, the Medicare payment can be made to the person who assumes legal obligation to pay the bill for the deceased patient.
The Medicare carrier can provide additional information about how to submit claims for Medicare Part B payment after a patient dies.
Q: Can I earn income after I retire and still keep my retirement benefits?
A: Yes. You can receive your full benefits if your earnings from salary or self-employment do not exceed the annual exempt amount for that year. A recent law increased the annual exempt amount for 1999 to $15,500 for retirees ages 65 through 69. For those under 65, the 1999 exempt amount is $9,600.
Retirees aged 65 to 69 lose only one dollar in Social Security benefits for every three dollars of "extra" earnings. Retirees under age 65 lose one dollar in benefits for every two dollars of earnings over the exempt amount.
Q: When does a person receive his/her retirement benefits?
A: From now on, most people applying for Social Security will receive their benefits on the second, third, or fourth Wednesday of each month. Generally, it depends on the birthdate of the person on whose record you receive benefits.
People who currently get their Social Security benefits on the third of the month will continue to do so.
New Social Security beneficiaries may have their benefits deposited directly into their bank accounts-which many find is a safer and more convenient way of receiving benefits.
Volunteer Gladys Ost is spending approximately 26 hours per month assisting a visually impaired senior with claims and other insurances.