Depending on the type of coverage you have, you may have to enroll in Medicare Part B, even if you are still working. However, whether you should delay going on Medicare will rely on a few different factors.
Let’s first look at how much Original Medicare (Part A and B) will cost you:
Medicare Part A (Hospital) is usually premium-free. Most people choose to enroll in Part A when they first become eligible. If you must pay a premium for Part A, Social Security will determine what your payment is based on your work quarters.
Keep in mind that you (or your employer) should not contribute to your HSA while enrolled in Part A, or you may face a tax penalty.
Medicare Part B (Medical) has a standard monthly premium of $164.90 per person in 2023, but some people may pay a higher rate based on their income.
When considering delaying Part B coverage, there are two things you should confirm:
- First, make sure you still will have active coverage once you become Medicare eligible.
- Find out whether your current will be credible to Medicare’s standards. You can do this by asking your benefits administrator, human resources, or whoever handles your employer coverage.
Employer coverage is not always considered credible coverage. As a rule of thumb, if your employer has less than 20 employees, you may not have credible coverage.
In this case if you fail to enroll in Part B when you are first eligible, your employer coverage can reduce or refuse to pay for your healthcare expenses. Additionally, you could face a penalty later down the road for not picking up Part B.
To find out if your employer coverage is credible to replace Medicare, your benefits administrator is usually the best place to begin.
Once you have received the necessary information let AMAC take it from there.
For help with Medicare plans – or any questions you may have about Medicare – contact AMAC’s Medicare Advisory Service at 1-855-611-4856 or request a quote below!
My husband is a veteran and uses the VA medical services. I wonder if it would be to his advantage to join Medicare as well. The VA always asks if he has any other insurance.
Hello Susabella,
That is a great question!
A Medicare Advantage plan could help someone to see providers outside of the VA system, and may offer additional benefits for hearing, dental, vision, etc.
If he would like to see if an Advantage plan is right for him, please give us a call at 1-855-611-4856.
Enroll in medicare. For the future that is unknown. Being 70, medicare over the years has paid for itself repeatedly. I kept my Blue Cross personal insurance and with the coverage of both I have not paid a single penny to doctors or hospitals. My husband and I both had cancer, he has had heart problems requiring expensive treatments. Since the money comes off the top I never miss it from my SS payments.
I am glad to hear the coverage has worked so well for you both! I hope you and your husband and doing well now.