Can someone have Medicare Part B without Part A?

Asked by: Amari Cummings  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.3/5 (51 votes)

While it is always advisable to have Part A, you can buy Medicare Part B (medical insurance) without having to buy Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) as long as you are: Age 65+ And, a U.S. citizen or a legal resident who has lived in the U.S. for at least five years.

Can I opt out of Medicare Part A?

If you qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A, there's little reason not to take it. In fact, if you don't pay a premium for Part A, you cannot refuse or “opt out” of this coverage unless you also give up your Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits.

Can you decline Medicare Part A coverage?

Declining your Medicare Part A and Part B benefits completely is possible, but you are required to withdraw from all of your monthly benefits to do so. This means you can no longer receive Social Security or RRB benefits and must repay anything you have already received when you withdraw from the program.

Do I automatically have Medicare Part A?

Yes. You automatically get Part A and Part B after you get disability benefits from Social Security or certain disability benefits from the RRB for 24 months. If you're automatically enrolled, you'll get your Medicare card in the mail 3 months before your 65th birthday or your 25th month of disability.

Can I enroll in Medicare Part B anytime?

If you did not enroll for Part B during your initial enrollment period, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to sign up for Part B (and/or Part A) anytime as long as you or a spouse is working and you're covered by a group health plan through that employment.

Medicare Part A and Part B explained

40 related questions found

What is the fastest way to apply for Medicare Part B?

Apply online (at Social Security) – This is the easiest and fastest way to sign up and get any financial help you may need. You'll need to create your secure my Social Security account to sign up for Medicare or apply for Social Security benefits online. Call 1-800-772-1213. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778.

How long does it take for a Medicare Part B application to be approved?

It takes about 45 to 90 days to receive your acceptance letter after submitting your Medicare application.

Am I automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A when I turn 65?

Yes. If you are receiving benefits, the Social Security Administration will automatically sign you up at age 65 for parts A and B of Medicare. ... Social Security will send you sign-up instructions at the beginning of your initial enrollment period, three months before the month of your 65th birthday.

Does Medicare come out of Social Security?

Medicare Part B (medical insurance) premiums are normally deducted from any Social Security or RRB benefits you receive. Your Part B premiums will be automatically deducted from your total benefit check in this case. You'll typically pay the standard Part B premium, which is $170.10 in 2022.

Is Medicare Part A free to everyone?

Most people get Part A for free, but some have to pay a premium for this coverage. To be eligible for premium-free Part A, an individual must be entitled to receive Medicare based on their own earnings or those of a spouse, parent, or child.

What happens if I don't want Medicare Part B?

If you didn't get Part B when you're first eligible, your monthly premium may go up 10% for each 12-month period you could've had Part B, but didn't sign up. In most cases, you'll have to pay this penalty each time you pay your premiums, for as long as you have Part B.

How do I pay for Medicare Part B without Social Security?

You can request to have your Part B premiums deducted from your Office of Personnel Management (OPM) annuity as long as you're NOT entitled to Social Security or RRB benefits. Call us at 1-800-MEDICARE to make your request. For questions about your bill, call the RRB at 1-877-772-5772.

What is deducted from your monthly Social Security check?

You can ask us to withhold federal taxes from your Social Security benefit payment when you first apply. ... You can have 7, 10, 12 or 22 percent of your monthly benefit withheld for taxes. Only these percentages can be withheld. Flat dollar amounts are not accepted.

Who is eligible for Medicare Part B reimbursement?

How do I know if I am eligible for Part B reimbursement? You must be a retired member or qualified survivor who is receiving a pension and is eligible for a health subsidy, and enrolled in both Medicare Parts A and B. 2.

How do I know if my application for Medicare Part B is approved?

You can find out if your Medicare application was accepted by calling the Social Security office or by checking online at www.socialsecurity.gov.

Can you apply for Social Security and Medicare at the same time?

The Social Security Administration handles the sign-up process for both Social Security and Medicare, and you can use a single application to file for both benefits if you're within three months of your 65th birthday. The SSA's online retirement application website is the easiest way to start.

Does Medicare Part B pay for prescriptions?

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) includes limited drug coverage. It doesn't cover most drugs you get at the pharmacy. You'll need to join a Medicare drug plan or health plan with drug coverage to get Medicare coverage for prescription drugs for most chronic conditions, like high blood pressure.

What documents are needed for Medicare Part B?

What documents do I need to enroll in Medicare?
  • your Social Security number.
  • your date and place of birth.
  • your citizenship status.
  • the name and Social Security number of your current spouse and any former spouses.
  • the date and place of any marriages or divorces you've had.

Can I apply for Medicare Part B over the phone?

Signing up for Part B is easy—apply by March 31

There are 3 ways you can sign up: Fill out a short form, and send it to your local Social Security office. Call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213. TTY users can call 1-800-325-0778.

At what age is Social Security no longer taxed?

At 65 to 67, depending on the year of your birth, you are at full retirement age and can get full Social Security retirement benefits tax-free.

How much money can you have in the bank if you get Social Security?

The Social Security Administration (SSA), which operates the program, sets different (and considerably more complex) limits on income for SSI recipients, and also sets a ceiling on financial assets: You can't own more than $2,000 in what the SSA considers “countable resources” as an individual or more than $3,000 as a ...

When a husband dies does the wife get his Social Security?

When a retired worker dies, the surviving spouse gets an amount equal to the worker's full retirement benefit. Example: John Smith has a $1,200-a-month retirement benefit. His wife Jane gets $600 as a 50 percent spousal benefit. Total family income from Social Security is $1,800 a month.

Why do you have to pay for Medicare Part B?

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. Cost: If you have Part B, you pay a Part B premium each month.

What is the cost of Medicare Part B for 2021?

Medicare Part B Premium and Deductible

The standard monthly premium for Medicare Part B enrollees will be $170.10 for 2022, an increase of $21.60 from $148.50 in 2021. The annual deductible for all Medicare Part B beneficiaries is $233 in 2022, an increase of $30 from the annual deductible of $203 in 2021.

How much does Medicare take out of Social Security?

In 2021, based on the average social security benefit of $1,514, a beneficiary paid around 9.8 percent of their income for the Part B premium. Next year, that figure will increase to 10.6 percent.