You can be excluded from Medicare, but you may lose your Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits. In addition, if you initially refuse Medicare coverage, you may have to pay a penalty if you decide to enroll later. Medicare is a federal benefit that you pay with taxes during your working years. At age 65, or if you have certain disabilities, you are eligible for health coverage through various parts of the Medicare program. If you're still working after age 65, you may have health insurance through your employer or you may have purchased a plan outside of Medicare. If you're looking for Home Care near Hackettstown NJ, you may also be eligible for additional benefits through Medicare.
In this case, you can choose to decline Medicare coverage. However, delaying enrollment may add additional costs or penalties in the future. If you don't agree with the fine imposed on you, you can appeal the decision, but you must continue to pay the fine along with your premium. Your prescription drug plan may cancel your coverage if you don't pay the premium or fine.
COBRA health plans and retiree health plans are not considered coverage if you're currently working and they don't entitle you to a special enrollment period or exempt you from having to pay late enrollment penalties. You can also qualify for a special enrollment period for Medicare parts A and B and avoid late enrollment penalties if you volunteered in a foreign country during your initial enrollment period. If you decide to buy your own health insurance plan outside your employer's plan when you're eligible for Medicare, you might want to sign up anyway. It's possible to refuse Medicare completely, but you'll have to withdraw your Social Security benefits and return any Social Security payments you've already received.
