Can I delay Medicare Part B if I am still working?
Asked by: Dr. Lauretta Carter MD | Last update: September 7, 2025Score: 4.8/5 (45 votes)
Do I need Medicare Part B if I am still working?
The short answer is no; you don't have to sign up for Medicare if you're still working, and you can continue to receive healthcare coverage through your employer. However, some things to consider include the size of your employer and whether or not they offer healthcare coverage.
How do I defer Medicare if I still work?
You may defer Medicare Part B enrollment because you are still working. Contact the SSA at (800) 772-1213 to defer. This will ensure that you avoid a late enrollment penalty when you decide to retire and enroll in Medicare Part B upon retirement.
How do you qualify to delay Medicare Part B?
- Your health insurance is through your own or a spouse's current job.
- The employer has 20 or more employees.
- Your employer plan provides creditable coverage.
Can I delay signing up for Medicare Part A if I am still working?
If you or your spouse have health insurance through your job, you can sign up: Any time while working and still covered by the group health plan. Within 8 months of the day you or your spouse stop working, even if your group health plan continues for a time.
Do you REALLY need Medicare Part B? | Medicare If You're Still Working
Can you add Medicare Part B at any time?
Important: In most cases, if you don't sign up for Part B when you're first eligible, you'll have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B. Also, you may have to wait until the General Enrollment Period (from January 1 – March 31) to enroll in Part B and coverage will start July 1 of that year.
Is there a penalty for not enrolling in Medicare Part B at age 65?
Example: If you waited 2 full years (24 months) to sign up for Part B and didn't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you'll have to pay a 20% late enrollment penalty (10% for each full 12-month period that you could have signed up), plus the standard Part B monthly premium ($185 in 2025).
What is the 8 month rule for Medicare Part B?
If you delay enrolling in Part B when you are first eligible because you are covered by an employer health plan, you have 8 months to apply for Part B from the date you, your spouse or family member stops working, or the date the Group Health Plan (GHP) or Large Group Health Plan (LGHP) coverage ends — whichever is ...
Can I drop Medicare Part B and enroll later?
Gap in coverage: If you change your mind and want to sign up again later, you may have to wait until the next General Enrollment Period (January 1-March 31 each year) to sign up. Your coverage starts the month after you sign up.
Can you have Medicare Part B and employer insurance at the same time?
Can I combine employer health insurance with Medicare? If you or your spouse are working and covered through an employer, you can also decide to keep this coverage and enroll in Original Medicare, Part A and/or Part B to get additional health coverage.
Is Medicare Part B mandatory?
Part B is optional. Part B helps pay for covered medical services and items when they are medically necessary. Part B also covers some preventive services like exams, lab tests, and screening shots to help prevent, find, or manage a medical problem.
Is it a good idea to get Medicare if you're still working at 65?
If your or your spouse's employer has 20 or more employees and a group health plan, you don't have to sign up for Medicare at 65. But if you get Medicare Part A for free, typically you should sign up. (After all, it's free.) In some cases, Medicare Part A may cover what your employer plan doesn't.
Does everyone have to pay $170 a month for Medicare?
Most people pay no premiums for Part A. For Medicare Part B in 2025, most beneficiaries will pay $185 per month. Certain factors may require you to pay more or less than the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025.
How much is Medicare Part B if you are still working?
Most people pay the standard Part B monthly premium amount ($185 in 2025). Social Security will tell you the exact amount you'll pay for Part B in 2025.
Why would you decline Medicare Part B?
Some people do not take Part B during their Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) because they have primary insurance from their current employer or their spouse's current employer. The IEP is the first time you can sign up for Medicare.
Can I get Medicare Part B if I don t have enough work credits?
Enough Work Credits
If you do not qualify for Medicare based on your own or your spouse's work record but are a U.S. citizen or have been a legal resident for at least five years, you can still get full Medicare benefits at age 65 or older by buying into them.
Why is Social Security no longer paying Medicare Part B?
There could be several reasons why Social Security stopped withholding your Medicare Part B premium. One common reason is that your income has exceeded the threshold for premium assistance. Another reason could be that there was a mistake or error in your records.
Can I pause Medicare Part B if I go back to work?
Part B is different. You'll keep paying the monthly premium, even if you start working again and enroll in a workplace plan — unless you drop your Part B coverage. Most people who drop Part B after going back to work do so to save money. But unenrolling can be tricky, and it isn't an option for everyone.
Why are people leaving Medicare Advantage plans?
Key takeaways: People leave Medicare Advantage plans because out-of-pocket costs vary between plans, network restrictions can cause frustration, prior authorization requests can delay care, and it can be difficult to use the additional benefits they provide.
Why is my Medicare Part B $500 a month?
Most people pay $164.90 per month, which is the standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B in 2023. However, if you have a higher-than-average income, your Part B premiums start going up on a sliding scale. How much extra you pay is based on the income you reported to the IRS two years ago.
What is the 8 minute rule for Medicare Part B?
What is the 8-Minute Rule? To receive payment from Medicare for a time-based CPT code, a therapist must provide direct treatment for at least eight minutes. Providers must add the total minutes of skilled, one-on-one therapy and divide by 15. If eight or more minutes remain, you can bill one more unit.
Can you avoid paying for Medicare Part B?
You do not have to pay for Medicare Part B to keep Medi-Cal. Stopping Medicare Part B coverage is generally not recommended. If you want to talk to someone about stopping Medicare Part B, call the SSA at 1-800-772-1213. NOTE: A few things could happen if you do not pay your Medicare Part B premium.
Can I skip Medicare Part B?
You can voluntarily terminate your Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance). However, you may need to have a personal interview with us to review the risks of dropping coverage and for assistance with your request.
Do all seniors pay for Medicare Part B?
Part B is a voluntary program that requires the payment of a monthly premium for all parts of coverage. Eligibility rules for Part B depend on whether a person is eligible for premium-free Part A or whether the individual has to pay a premium for Part A coverage.
What is the Part B penalty for 2024?
For each 12-month period you delay enrollment in Medicare Part B, you will have to pay a 10% Part B premium penalty, unless you have insurance based on your or your spouse's current work (job-based insurance) or are eligible for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP).