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Question 1: Should I get Medicare Part B?

Do I need to get Medicare Part B?, I am so undecided, can you help me get the best choice?

If you're in a level of great confusion about whether to get Medicare Part B or not, perhaps this will help you decide or this will give you an ample idea as to what you need to know just in case.


If you have one of the following aside from Medicare Part A, then you must know these;

EMPLOYER/UNION COVERAGE: If you or your spouse or family member (disability) is still working and you have health coverage through that employer, contact your employer to find out how your coverage works with Medicare.  This includes federal or state employees and active-duty military service.  It might be an advantage to you to delay Part B enrollment.

Remember, coverage based on current employment does not include COBRA, RETIREE COVERAGE, VA COVERAGE, and INDIVIDUAL HEALTH COVERAGE.

TRICARE: If you have TRICARE ( health care program for active-duty and retired service members and their families), you generally must enroll in Part A and Part B when you're first eligible to keep your TRICARE coverage.

CHAMPVA: If you have CHAMPVA coverage, you must enroll in Part A and Part B to keep it. 

MEDICAID: If you have MEDICAID, you should sign up for Part B. Medicare will pay first, then Medicaid follows. Medicaid may be able to help pay your Medicare out-of-pocket expenses. 

MARKETPLACE: Even if you have Marketplace coverage, you should enroll in Medicare when you're first eligible to avoid the risk of a delay in Medicare coverage and a possible late enrollment penalty. Also, it is important to end your Marketplace coverage on time to avoid an overlap in coverage. You will no longer qualify for Marketplace coverage once you become eligible for Medicare. If you continue to use your Marketplace, you may have to pay back the help you got when you file for taxes. 

HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNT: You can't give to your HSA once your Medicare coverage begins. However, you can use the money that's already in your HSA after you enroll in Medicare to help pay for deductibles, premiums, copayments or coinsurance. If you still give to your HSA despite having Medicare, you may have to pay a tax penalty. If you want to continue contributing to your employer-sponsored HSA without penalty after you turn 65, then you shouldn't apply for Medicare, Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board Benefits.

Note: Premium-free Part A coverage begins 6 months before the month you apply for Medicare but no earlier that the month you turn 65. To avoid the tax penalty, stop contributing to your HSA at least 6 months before you apply for Medicare.

Medicare Advantage Medical Savings Account (MSA) Plan might be an option if you'd like to continue to get health benefits through an HSA-like coverage.


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