Do I have to pay for Medicare Part B if I don't need it?

dseag2

dseag2

Dallas, TX
Location
Dallas, TX
I can't seem to find the answer to this. I just received the estimate for my monthly payments, and they are much higher than both of us pay through my spouse's health insurance program. I was signed up automatically since I am taking Social Security payments. If I stay on my spouse's program, do I still have to pay the Medicare premiums?
 

dseag2 said:
I can't seem to find the answer to this. I just received the estimate for my monthly payments, and they are much higher than both of us pay through my spouse's health insurance program. I was signed up automatically since I am taking Social Security payments. If I stay on my spouse's program, do I still have to pay the Medicare premiums?
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I am not sure but I think if you do not sign up for it when you turn 65, you can be penalized when you take it out at a later date. At some point when your partner retires will you still have access to that coverage and what would it cost? I have been trying to research this as well. I currently have good insurance as the widow of a postal employee. When I turn 65 it will probably be better and cheaper to be on medicare and a medicare supplemental policy than what I currently have cost wise.
 

Pink Biz said:
"Medicare Part B isn't a legal requirement, and you don't need it in some situations. In general, if you're eligible for Medicare and have creditable coverage, you can postpone Part B penalty-free. Creditable coverage includes the insurance provided to you or your spouse through work."
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This is exactly what my wife and I did for 2 or 3 years. She was still getting medical coverage through her employer. Only when she retired did we start Medicare, and paying for Part B. Both of us were over 65 at that point.
 
Go to medicare.gov, I would post the link or do a copy and paste here but I don't know how. All the info you need should be there as well as 800 # to call for questions.
 
Okay, I just made this copy from the site, this is the thing I would be concerned about and needs further info for you. This is the penalty thing I am worried about.

My birthday is on the first of the month.

Avoid the penalty
If you miss your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period, you may have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B coverage. The penalty goes up the longer you wait. You may also have to pay a penalty if you have to pay a Part A premium, also called “Premium-Part A.”

When your coverage starts
The date your coverage starts depends on which month you sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period. Coverage always starts on the first of the month.

If you qualify for Premium-free Part A: Your Part A coverage starts the month you turn 65. (If your birthday is on the first of the month, coverage starts the month before you turn 65.)

Part B (and Premium-Part A): Coverage starts based on the month you sign up:

If you sign up:

Coverage starts:

Before the month you turn 65

The month you turn 65

The month you turn 65

The next month

1 month after you turn 65

2 months after you sign up

2 or 3 months after you turn 65

3 months after you sign up
 
Blessed said:
Okay, I just made this copy from the site, this is the thing I would be concerned about and needs further info for you. This is the penalty thing I am worried about.

My birthday is on the first of the month.

Avoid the penalty
If you miss your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period, you may have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B coverage. The penalty goes up the longer you wait. You may also have to pay a penalty if you have to pay a Part A premium, also called “Premium-Part A.”

When your coverage starts
The date your coverage starts depends on which month you sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period. Coverage always starts on the first of the month.

If you qualify for Premium-free Part A: Your Part A coverage starts the month you turn 65. (If your birthday is on the first of the month, coverage starts the month before you turn 65.)

Part B (and Premium-Part A): Coverage starts based on the month you sign up:

If you sign up:

Coverage starts:

Before the month you turn 65

The month you turn 65

The month you turn 65

The next month

1 month after you turn 65

2 months after you sign up

2 or 3 months after you turn 65

3 months after you sign up
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Does the link @Pink Biz posted (reply #2) clear things up for you?
 
I only have Part "A".
They kept trying to pressure me into signing up for Part "B" by sending me letters saying "If I change my mind & want Part "B" later, it will cost more.
Then, they automatically signed me up for Part "B" & started charging me for it. I called Social Security & raised hell with them & threatened lawsuits, etc. They paid me back for everything they deducted & promised not to do it again - & sent me a letter saying so.
Nobody messes with me!
 
OneEyedDiva said:
Oh okay. You're right to go by the medicare.gov site info.
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I am just so nervous about changing my own. If I let go of the postal service insurance I have as a widow I can't get it back. I will make sure I have crossed every possible scenario before I make the decision. I can keep it and get my medicare but I would be paying the medicare premiums and my cost of the postal coverage.
 
Blessed said:
I am just so nervous about changing my own. If I let go of the postal service insurance I have as a widow I can't get it back. I will make sure I have crossed every possible scenario before I make the decision. I can keep it and get my medicare but I would be paying the medicare premiums and my cost of the postal coverage.
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Best of blessings with making the right decision!
 
Pink Biz said:
"Medicare Part B isn't a legal requirement, and you don't need it in some situations. In general, if you're eligible for Medicare and have creditable coverage, you can postpone Part B penalty-free. Creditable coverage includes the insurance provided to you or your spouse through work."

https://www.gomedigap.com/medicare-options/do-i-need-medicare-part-b/
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Yes, if you can hold off from getting Part B without penalties, that's great.

I just didn't want it initially, and waited a couple years to sign on... a BIG mistake! ... they really hit you with higher monthly payments by doing that.
But I've noticed those higher premiums for Part B seem to have leveled off over the years.
 
Blessed said:
I am just so nervous about changing my own. If I let go of the postal service insurance I have as a widow I can't get it back. I will make sure I have crossed every possible scenario before I make the decision. I can keep it and get my medicare but I would be paying the medicare premiums and my cost of the postal coverage.
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I also have postal insurance from my husband and don’t pay Part B because it’s all rolled into the premium insurance. I got something that said I would need to in the future like 2026 (don’t quote)because of a new law. I’m confused too and don’t want to change anything. I figured that when November comes around there will be more info regarding this. But figured I have time yet. Let me know if you find out anything additional and vice versa. 👍
 
StillLearning said:
I also have postal insurance from my husband and don’t pay Part B because it’s all rolled into the premium insurance. I got something that said I would need to in the future like 2026 (don’t quote)because of a new law. I’m confused too and don’t want to change anything. I figured that when November comes around there will be more info regarding this. But figured I have time yet. Let me know if you find out anything additional and vice versa. 👍
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I have not heard of any changes coming up, now I am even more concerned about what we should do. Guess I better go looking at things on the OPM and see if I can find out what might be changing for surviors.
 
StillLearning said:
Hopefully we will both get more information later this year to clarify. I’m rereading before I sent to you and I’m still not clear.
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I have just been over there doing some reading. It appears we have a lot of research to do. Seems like our best bet maybe sign up for Medicare but use an FEHB policy as our supplement plan. We can switch out FEHB policy to a lower premium plan that will cover what Medicare does not. We will really need to research the benefits and what FEHB plan works best with medicare and the cost of both. I just get so tired of doing all the research but it must be done. I am lucky, I have a couple of years until I have to make a decision. I THANK YOU, so much because I did not know anything about this until now.
 
Blessed said:
I have just been over there doing some reading. It appears we have a lot of research to do. Seems like our best bet maybe sign up for Medicare but use an FEHB policy as our supplement plan. We can switch out FEHB policy to a lower premium plan that will cover what Medicare does not. We will really need to research the benefits and what FEHB plan works best with medicare and the cost of both. I just get so tired of doing all the research but it must be done. I am lucky, I have a couple of years until I have to make a decision. I THANK YOU, so much because I did not know anything about this until now.
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I agree that we are lucky because at least we have a couple years to figure this out. You are welcome! 👍😊
 

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