iceflow

Folks,
Has anyone applied for Retirement benefits from the US Social and not had Medicare Part B contributions withheld from the monthly check? I have emailed them but no response yet. I may still be employed when I apply for benefits and if so my employer has a group health plan that acts as the primary cover. I don't want to pay Part B if I'm not going to use it until I officially retire.

Thanks

Nutmegger

From the AARP guide to Medicare:

If you are already receiving Social Security retirement benefits when you turn 65, you need not apply for Medicare. Your Medicare card will be mailed to you, and coverage begins the first day of your birthday month. You can decline Part B if you choose — for example, if you are covered by health insurance provided by your own or your spouse's current employment — by following the instructions on the letter Social Security sends you.

If you aren't receiving SS, you have to apply for Medicare yourself, it won't come automatically, but I recall you can still decline, as above, if you have other coverage.

MidAtlantic

If your employer has 20 or more employees, and your employer health plan coverage is a "group health care plan" as defined by the IRS, you can delay signing up for Medicare until the employment/health coverage ends without penalty.

https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-cha...#collapse-3156

iceflow

Thanks,
Yes I enrolled in Part A when I hit 65 but was able to exclude myself from Part B as my employer has a group health plan. The question I have though is once someone applies for SS retirement benefits, is the Part B deduction from the benefits a 'fait accompli' or does the Social give the punter the option to do an opt out if they are still part of a employer group health plan. Hopefully I'll get a response from them via email if not I'll try the phone. Just wondered if anyone had been in same position.

Nutmegger

Isn't that just what the AARP info I quoted above says?

fulwood

If you don't apply for medicare part b when you become eligible you will pay a penalty.

Nutmegger

iceflow

My question is not a general question about applying for Medicare benefits at 65. I'm aware that it is possible to exclude oneself from Part B provided your employer has a Group Heath plan that matches or exceeds the benefits under Part B.
The scenario is this:
Individual does not receive SS benefits, is still working, is over 65 and elected not to take to Part B at 65 as employer has Group Health care and Part B requires monthly payments. Did take Part A at 65 as this has no monthly payment requirement.
Individual is now considering taking SS benefits whilst still working and still covered by employers Group Health Plan.
SS blurb makes reference to deducting Part B contributions before sending monthly checks to recipients.
If individual is still working and covered he/she does not want to have the Part B contributions deducted from checks as Group Health Plan will cover this.

Question: Does the individual have the option during SS benefit application to elect an opt-out on Part B contributions or is it a given that if you apply for SS Benefits the social security office will automatically initiate a Part B deduction? I'm assuming even if they did the individual could request it be reversed but it would be a lot easier to have that option during the initial application.
Your last sentence sounds as if you do get an opt-out from Part B deductions when applying for SS benefits even if you are over 65.?
Thanks

Nutmegger

In the SSA's "what you need to know" brochure, in the Medicare section, it states, "Anyone eligible for Part A can get Part B. Part B is optional and you usually pay a monthly premium." The application asks about other HI coverage.

MidAtlantic

If no premium is due, because you continue to be covered by an employer plan, there will be nothing to deduct from SS.