Should I sign up for Medicare Part B if I am (or my spouse is) still working?

September 20, 2009 by admin

You may want to wait to sign up for Medicare Part B if you or your spouse are working and have health coverage through you or your spouse's employer or union. (See note below if you work for a small company.) You would have to pay the monthly Medicare Part B premium, and the Medicare Part B benefits may be of limited value to you as long as the group health plan is the primary payer of your medical bills.Note: If you are working for a small company (less than 20 employees), you should talk to your employee health benefits administrator before making any decision not to take Medicare Part B. If your employer has less than 20 employees, Medicare is the primary payer and your group health insurance would be the secondary payer.You may also wish to read Medicare's publication:Medicare and Other Health Benefits: Your Guide to Who Pays First.If you don't take Medicare Part B when you are first eligible because you or your spouse are working and have group health plan coverage through your or your spouse's employer or union, you can sign up for Medicare Part B during a Special Enrollment Period.If you are disabled and working (or you have group health coverage from a working family member), the Special Enrollment Period rules also apply.You can sign up:

• Anytime you are still covered by the employer or union group health plan through your or your spouse's (or if you are disabled, a family member's) current or active employment, or
• During 8 months following the month the employer or union group health plan coverage ends, or when the employment ends (whichever is first).

Most people who sign up for Medicare Part B during a Special Enrollment Period do not pay higher premiums. The Social Security Administration handles Medicare enrollments. If you have more questions about enrolling in Medicare Part B, you should call the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213. You can visit their Web site .