Is It Mandatory To Sign up For Medicare When You Reach 65?

Find Out If The Medicare Coverage Is Mandatory When You Turn 65

As an Insurance & Medicare Broker, it is common for me to hear a question about “is it mandatory to sign up for Medicare at 65?” or another related question I also hear is “do I have to sign up for Medicare at 65 even if I’m still working?” .

To make your mind at ease about Medicare, I will answer the following questions with details, so you will be able to understand how Medicare works and as a US citizen are you required to have this?

Medicare eligibility starts at the age of 65, it is a federal benefit that you pay through your taxes during your working years.

People with certain disabilities may be eligible for Medicare. While Medicare isn’t necessarily mandatory-you can opt-out of signing up for this, but you may lose your benefits. Enrolling on time can help you avoid penalties.

People who refuse Medicare coverage initially may have to pay a penalty if they decide to enroll in Medicare later in life.

Do you need to sign up for Medicare at 65, even if I’m still working?

Normally, seniors are advised to sign up for Medicare when they first get eligible for Medicare to avoid extra charges and penalties that could be quite costly throughout retirement. If you’re still working at the age of 65, few different rules apply.

Many seniors are no longer working at the age of 65, but if you’re still working at that age, you have coverage under group health through your employer with 20 or more employees, then you may delay enrolling in Medicare. But if your employer has fewer than 20 employees, you need to take Medicare Part A and, because this will be your primary insurance.

What will happen if you don’t enroll?

Your employer plan may pay less or nothing at all -for your care when they find out. Some employers don’t continue to offer a health plan for former employees once they find out that they’re 65. So make sure you’re aware of the employer’s rule regarding Medicare. 

That being said, it is often to pays to enroll in Medicare Part A on time, even if you have health coverage already. It won’t cost you anything, and this way Medicare may serve you as your secondary health insurance . It will potentially help you fill the gap for anything your primary insurance (employer’s plan) doesn’t cover. 

It is advisable to enroll on Medicare Part A, so you don’t have to worry about the premium surcharges. You can always reject your Medicare enrollment for Part B which will take monthly premiums. Delaying Part B because you were covered under your employer’s health plan or your spouse’s health plan may avoid the late enrollment penalty.

I hope I answered your questions thoroughly. And this article will help you understand how Medicare works for seniors working or retired. You can always have your options when it comes to enrollment, you just need to consider the consequences like extra charges and penalty when you decide to enroll later.

Again Medicare is not mandatory, but as we grow older we tend to have an illness we never experienced before. Our body may not have a strong immune system and seniors become more prone to every disease in the environment. That is why it is better to prepare ourselves for this by signing up for Medicare coverage , so we can get help in the time we need it.

And we can get the care we deserve. We are not getting younger, we are aging as years go by. There’s nothing wrong with preparing, remember that prevention is always better than cure.

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