Cobra, Hipaa and Medicare

Date:
      OK.
      I turned 65 on the 11th and --- was told ---- with authority --- that I HAD to go on Medicare. NO, NO and NO!
      I had not applied. (The government being slow, you are supposed to apply BEFORE you turn 65.)
      I am qualified for Medicare. Have been for some time.
      I can retire at full benefits at 65 + 10 months - however - they will pay me more if I retire at 70. At 70, I might be able to eat. Not at 65 + 10 months.
     
      Of course, by 2040, Medicare will drop by 30-40%. So they said, "Don't count on it."
      Lovely. Only paid into it all my damn life.
     
      Cobra ends on March 1st.
      I have to go to Hipaa.
      I don't want to go to Medicare.
      I don't want to figure out what drug plan to use. (Long's and Walgreen will, if you have a medication list, tell you which plan works - at that moment.)
      And then Hipaa would be the supplement insurance.
      Good lord!
      So - Cobra ending, and having done this trick before, I emailed Blue Cross - because Blue Cross and Kaiser are the only ones holding Hipaa. (I spell that wrong all the damn time.) Hipaa follows Cobra in California.
      Blue Cross - ignoring my request to send email - called me.
      They will mail and they said email (didn't get it). I hope the mail arrives.
      Anyway - turns out - I need to sign up for Medicare Part A (major medical - no fees - qualified).
      Part B is the doctor - drug part and has fees - I don't HAVE to sign up for it.
      From the government website - I have until April 30 to apply. I will do it Monday. Have a second person explain this to me.
     
      On top of all this, my doctor decided that he won't handle Blue Cross patients after Feb 17th. I have to be sure my physical is before that. Need to call them.
      Great!
      Regardless of the insurance mess - off I go to find yet another new doctor - my other one having retired.