Do I need Medicare Part B if I have insurance at work?
Asked by: Lewis Mayert | Last update: June 10, 2025Score: 4.7/5 (50 votes)
Do I need part B Medicare if I am still working?
You should apply for Medicare Part B around the time you leave work, assuming that you are working for a fairly large employer and have reasonably good health insurance from your employer.
Do I have to get Medicare if I have employer coverage?
If an employer has fewer than 20 employees, generally you will need to enroll in Medicare during your Initial Enrollment Period. If you have health coverage through a spouse's employer, what you can do will depend on the employer's rules. You may be able to delay or you may need to enroll at age 65.
Do you need Medicare Part B if you have health insurance?
Do I need to sign up for Medicare Part B if I am working and have health insurance through an employer? You may have health insurance coverage under a group health plan based on your or your spouse's current employment. In this case, you may not need to apply for Medicare Part B at age 65.
Can I cancel Medicare Part B if I have other insurance?
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 I Need Medicare If I Have Private Insurance? 🤔
What happens if I don't want Medicare Part B?
If you're dropping Part B and keeping Part A, we'll send you a new Medicare card showing you have only Part A coverage. Write down your Medicare Number in case you need to go to the hospital or get Part A-covered services until your new card arrives.
Can I drop my employer health insurance and go on Medicare Part B?
Once you stop working (or lose your health insurance, if that happens first) you have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period (SEP) when you can sign up for Medicare (or add Part B to existing Part A coverage).
Why do people opt out of Medicare Part B?
Although Part B is not mandatory, it does come with a premium in most cases. Some people delay enrollment in Medicare Part B to avoid paying the premium – especially if they have other creditable coverage. The same can be true of Part A, for people that must pay a premium for it.
Who is exempt from paying Medicare Part B premiums?
Enrollees who have Medicaid, employer-sponsored health coverage, or retiree health benefits from an employer generally don't have to pay the full Medicare Part B deductible, as the other coverage picks up some or all of the cost (this varies depending on the plan).
Is Medicare Part B mandatory at age 65?
1. If You Are Approaching or at Age 65. If you are approaching age 65 and you already receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits through early retirement, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A (hospital insurance) and B (medical insurance) when you turn 65.
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.
Do you have to pay Medicare premiums if you are still working?
Most people qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A – if you've worked at least 10 years while paying Medicare taxes. Medicare Part B comes with a monthly premium, so you may choose to delay your Part B enrollment if you or your spouse are still working and have employer-based group coverage.
Should I enroll in Medicare if I have employer insurance?
People still working at the age of 65 with employer health benefits may not need to sign up during the Initial Enrollment Period. They may qualify for a special enrollment period if they have qualifying insurance coverage from work.
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.
Do I have to get Medicare Part B if I have insurance?
If your group health plan or retiree coverage is the secondary payer, you may need to sign up for Medicare Part B before they'll pay. This order of payment is called "coordination of benefits."
What if I don't want part B Medicare?
How do I terminate my Medicare Part B (medical insurance)? Views: 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.
What happens if I don't pay Medicare Part B?
If you stop Part B, you may have to re-enroll and may have to pay a penalty when you do. If you stop your Medicare Part B and you have a Medi-Cal SOC, you cannot get Medi-Cal covered services until you pay or promise to pay your monthly SOC.
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 delay Medicare Part B if I am still working?
People with group health coverage based on current employment may be able to delay Part A and Part B. They won't have to pay a lifetime late enrollment penalty if they enroll later.
Can my employer pay my Medicare Part B premium?
Employers can reimburse any Medicare Part B and Part D premiums for employees who are actively working. This requires the company's payment plan to integrate with the group insurance plan.
Can I cancel part B Medicare if I go back to work?
You'll have a few options. You can stick with Medicare, or you might choose to enroll in your employer's group plan and keep Medicare at the same time. Or, depending on the size of the company you work for, you might drop Medicare Part B and/or Part D entirely once you're covered under your employer's plan.
Can I 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.