Not starting Medicare Part B, dropping Part A?

[Tdubs]

My DW will turn 65 in February 2024 and is on SSDI. She received a Part B enrollment card. Since I am still a working fed and have good coverage, we don't want her to sign up till I retire at the end of 2024.

On the CMS-1763 form to refuse Part B there is this statement: "I understand that if I am required to pay for my hospital insurance, the termination of my part B coverage will also end my part A coverage."

Am I correct in concluding that this statement is not applicable for my wife? Because she has sufficient work history, she has not paid for part A. This statement also seems inapplicable since she hasn't started on Part B. So, she isn't "terminating" Part B. This seems pretty clear, but I don't want to make a mistake.

[Artsdoctor]

I might be wrong, but I think the phrases you're referring to describe "premium part A Medicare." That's different than non-premium part A Medicare. Some people do pay premiums for Part A (while most do not). But I'm not as familiar with the ins and outs of SSDI.

[tallguy3891]

My DW will turn 65 in February 2024 and is on SSDI. She received a Part B enrollment card. Since I am still a working fed and have good coverage, we don't want her to sign up till I retire at the end of 2024.

On the CMS-1763 form to refuse Part B there is this statement: "I understand that if I am required to pay for my hospital insurance, the termination of my part B coverage will also end my part A coverage."

Am I correct in concluding that this statement is not applicable for my wife? Because she has sufficient work history, she has not paid for part A. This statement also seems inapplicable since she hasn't started on Part B. So, she isn't "terminating" Part B. This seems pretty clear, but I don't want to make a mistake.

Your comment sounds like your spouse won't have a premium for Part A, so if she wants to just delay the Part B as you mentioned she can do the process to do so with Social Security. The last I heard, they require either doing so in the office or over the phone. In years gone by, one just signed the back of the card which shows A and B in order to turn down B, and returned it and a new one was sent with just Part A. Not sure if that is still allowed.

I personally would do the process in the local Social Security office if one is nearby just to know where it is and for tracking purposes. They should be able to complete the process on the spot.

I don't know of any reason to delay Part A also but others might have comments. My spouse had Part A without B for years while I was still working (FEHB also). I do think it helped on a couple of occasions to pick up some cost as secondary.



Probably a good idea to keep a copy of everything and followup. Your spouse can also make an account at Medicare.gov

Many people delay the Part B if still covered under their own work or spouse's work coverage, but there is a window to sign up after you retire so be careful, otherwise a late penalty could occur.

While you are still working and your spouse is covered on your FEHB, the Part A will be secondary, but you do need to let your FEHB plan know that she has Part A (and Part B later on).

[Tdubs]

My DW will turn 65 in February 2024 and is on SSDI. She received a Part B enrollment card. Since I am still a working fed and have good coverage, we don't want her to sign up till I retire at the end of 2024.

On the CMS-1763 form to refuse Part B there is this statement: "I understand that if I am required to pay for my hospital insurance, the termination of my part B coverage will also end my part A coverage."

Am I correct in concluding that this statement is not applicable for my wife? Because she has sufficient work history, she has not paid for part A. This statement also seems inapplicable since she hasn't started on Part B. So, she isn't "terminating" Part B. This seems pretty clear, but I don't want to make a mistake.

Your comment sounds like your spouse won't have a premium for Part A, so if she wants to just delay the Part B as you mentioned she can do the process to do so with Social Security. The last I heard, they require either doing so in the office or over the phone. In years gone by, one just signed the back of the card which shows A and B in order to turn down B, and returned it and a new one was sent with just Part A. Not sure if that is still allowed.

I personally would do the process in the local Social Security office if one is nearby just to know where it is and for tracking purposes. They should be able to complete the process on the spot.

I don't know of any reason to delay Part A also but others might have comments. My spouse had Part A without B for years while I was still working (FEHB also). I do think it helped on a couple of occasions to pick up some cost as secondary.



Probably a good idea to keep a copy of everything and followup. Your spouse can also make an account at Medicare.gov

Many people delay the Part B if still covered under their own work or spouse's work coverage, but there is a window to sign up after you retire so be careful, otherwise a late penalty could occur.

While you are still working and your spouse is covered on your FEHB, the Part A will be secondary, but you do need to let your FEHB plan know that she has Part A (and Part B later on).

She already has Part A for which she doesn't pay, and just wants to refuse taking Part B which they are automatically signing her up.

[ondarvr]

My wife is on SSDI, when all of it played out and she was approved for SSDI, the firm that did the work said she was required to have part B, so they signed her up for it automatically.

I never checked into it because I assumed it was accurate, and we didn't know until later and it would have been too late get out of it.

She will be 65 next year.