Has anyone here ever opted out of Medicare Part B?

[Sekhmets Daughter]

Last month, after careful consideration, I decided to opt out pf Part B. I returned the cards, recently sent to me, which showed I was to be enrolled in both Parts A & B as of this month. I am waiting for the new card, which shows I have Part A hospital coverage only. When the new card had not yet arrived, I just knew they were going to hit up my SS payment for $105.00 and I was correct.

First, I call Medicare and after a 10 minute hold I am told I must call Social Security. Another 10 minute hold and I am told "it takes 30 days to process your request, we haven't received it yet." The letter I received from Social Security did not state a 30 day lead time was necessary. It simply said to get the cards back to SS in a timely manner. I would think 3 to 4 weeks is a timely manner, obviously I thought wrong.

To add insult to injury, the representative could not tell me whether the $105. I was charged this month would be refunded once the request was processed...she didn't know!!!!

[RebelOne]

1. No. I have Medicare Part A & B.

Why would you want to opt out of B?

Medicare Part B is referred to as Medical Insurance, and Part B covers medically necessary services such as doctor and outpatient care.

So, you would prefer paying a doctor out of pocket?

[Sekhmets Daughter]

2. Absolutely.

There's no way I am going to have $1,260. of doctor visits this year. I give blood regularly so I know I have the blood pressure of a healthy 25-year-old, my sugar is good, so is my cholesterol, and my iron count. I had a full blood panel done about 2 years ago, which showed I am way healthy. I don't even get the flu. I'm just very lucky. No chronic conditions of any type.

I figured if they can talk about raising Medicare eligibility to 67, I should consider it. The ultimate reason is that I'm already living with a 30% reduction in my SS benefit because I had to take it earlier than I had intended...age 62. Jobs here in FL, never a good market, dried up after the financial crisis. I found myself unemployed with no prospects with which I was comfortable. I created some debt while looking and for work and finally becoming eligible for SS. I have almost paid it off...18 months should do it Then the Medicare Part B premium (plus penalty for late enrollment) will be much easier to manage.

[RILib]

3. I may be wrong

I think the premiums for Part D are higher if you delay starting it. I wonder if B works that way as well. Update: I see you say it does - what's the payback time on that?

You know, of course, that you are gambling. You could get hit by a truck tomorrow.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

4. Yes,

The premium will be a bit higher...but not by much. I was never supposed to be enrolled in the first place, but yes you can opt back in.

Being hit by a truck is the least of what 'could' happen. If, by some slim chance I survived that event, the trucking company would be responsible. I did give it quite a bit of thought. I've lived without health insurance for the past several years. I don't think anything drastic is going to change over the next 2 years. 65 is not some magic number that turns a healthy person into a sickly one...it's doctors that do that!

[Lars39]

6. You can have an accident at home that could be

every bit as devestating as being hit by a truck. Or get the flu with pneumonia and you're up a creek also.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

7. Yes, I could...

But any, or all, of that could have happened before now. I do understand the risks. I don't get the flu...nor the flu shots. Part A covers hospitalization. Open enrollment will begin next Oct. and I will re-evaluate my situation at that time.

[RILib]

15. how about if you get hit by an uninsured mototorist driving a car

This reminds me of a conversation with a coworker years ago. He was saying his wife did not need outside the home work skills because she was going to raise their kids and their marriage was going to last forever. I said at least be insured up to your gills. A year or so later when he was changing jobs, over the weekend when the life insurance from one job had ended but not yet started at the new job, he died of a heart attack and left the unskilled wife and 2-3 young kids and no insurance payment.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

17. I am not unaware of the risks....

However, I've lived without health insurance for the past 5 years I can't see where 1 or 2 more will make much difference. I do appreciate your concern RILib, but I think this is a good decision for me. I can change my mind up until mid May. After that, I will review the situation during open enrollment next year.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

5. Sorry missed your question....

It's a permanent premium increase...and sometimes they waive it. I think it's a 50/50 chance that they will raise the Medicare eligibility age to 67...in which case I doubt they'd impose the increased premium. I am not wishing for that, however, many people are not as fortunate as I in their health.

[Silver Swan]

8. A request for voluntary termination of Part B

Is effective at the end of the calendar month after the calendar month in which the request was filed.

If you requested termination in January, your coverage would continue through February, and you would owe premiums For coverage through February.

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0600820050

[Sekhmets Daughter]

9. Thanks...

I requested to not be enrolled, but I guess this is the same thing. February was my first month of eligibility...I'll be 65 on the 25th.

[Silver Swan]

10. In that case

The enrollment would not go into effect, and you should not owe premiums.

https://secure.ssa.gov/apps10/poms.nsf/lnx/0600805080


(Hmmm, just realized my links don't work. My spouse tells me I was hacking SSA, worked there for many years, so I know how to find information.)

[Sekhmets Daughter]

11. Hmmmm, hacking were you?

That will be my argument...which I am prepared to lose, nevertheless. The woman I spoke to said I should receive my new card with just the Part A four weeks after they received my request. I foolishly didn't mark my calendar but that should be next week at the latest.
Then I can call to see if they will refund the premium paid.

[Raven]

12. I'm sorry you had trouble with your phone contacts

with Medicare. I have never had anything but very good experiences dealing with those folks. They are usually very helpful. Good luck, I hope your decision turns out to be the right one for you.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

13. Medicare was very nice...

They just don't handle the issue about which I was calling. The Social Security Rep was less than stellar, but I'll survive. I had budgeted for just such a screw up.

Thanks for your good wishes....I can still change my mind...have until mid-May. I can also enroll next year or the following year.

[triguy46]

14. Good luck. Can't say I think its a good idea.

There are tons of stories of people who felt perfectly fine one day, horribly ill the next. Medicare itself is a good insurance plan, won't find a better deal. Hope you can avoid a medical disaster.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

18. Thanks. n/t

[In_The_Wind]

16. no. and we are not going to opt out.

good luck on getting your money back in a timely manner.

[Sekhmets Daughter]

19. I had allowed for the premium, so it won't be a tragedy

if it is lost. Just an annoyance.

[In_The_Wind]

20. what annoys me is:

although we have all been paying into the system throughout our life ~~~

[img][/img] first we have to pay for the coverage now, plus carry additional private insurance,
or be penalized with a higher premium. [img][/img]



[img][/img]

[Sekhmets Daughter]

21. I can understand all of it...

The theory being I may become sickly and thus cost more in the future. (as regards the increased premium for delaying) If I really thought there was a chance of that, I wouldn't have opted out for a year or two. I have Part A, which covers hospital visits and the ex will cover the doctor (tee hee tee hee) if it comes to that. I just don't want to leave myself unable to put some money aside or without money to cover unexpected bills...car repairs, for example.