Official old age slammed me on the head!

In a couple of days, I’ll reach a milestone birthday.  I look at the calendar with wonderment that I would live this long.  When did that happen?  How did all this time go by?  I don’t feel old.

I try to push things out of my mind that I don’t particularly want to think about, but it’s hard to ignore this because I’ve received a trashcan full of Medicare brochures over the last two--three months.  Suddenly everyone has my name and address.  I hate to deal with things like this where I have to make a big decision because if I don’t do it, it will be made for me.  It seems no one is exempt from Medicare.  There is no opting out.

I made an appointment with a counselor at the senior center here to discuss my options and have the whole program explained to me.  He wasn’t selling anything, so I figured I was safe.  It was all about as clear as mud when I left his office an hour later, but I read up on some things (boring) and met with another person to sign up the next day.

The guy at the senior center told me I had to act ASAP because I’d be without insurance for another month if I wasn’t signed up by the fourteenth.  What he didn’t know was that I wasn’t very worried because I haven’t had insurance for thirty years.  What difference would another month make?  I guess if I was always ill this would be a concern, but I only see the doctor once a year.

So folks, I’m going to be official old and inundated with paperwork from now on.  When thinking about all this stuff, I remember the two old guys who used to work for me back in the 1980’s and all their problems with Medicare.  I’ve even seen all the issues with my husband’s claims finally being paid after a lot of time, phone calls and frustration.  Of course, anytime the government is involved in anything, look out.  I’m not looking forward to it one bit.  I wonder how many trees they chop down to accommodate all the paperwork.

At least I’m still healthy and thankful for that.  I intend to go on with an optimistic attitude like usual.  That’s all we can do, right.  Eat healthy, exercise and keep a positive outlook.