Medicare Part A

[MIKA456]

Not sure why, because I did not request it, but I was automatically enrolled in Part A Medicare. I was collecting widow benefits under my deceased spouse's Social Security starting 2 months before my (what Social Security considered) full retirement date. I switched over to my own Social Security when I turned 70 earlier this year. I still work full time and have been working for the last 40 years with full creditable health care coverage at work. My questions are:

1. How did I get automatically enrolled in Part A--did it have anything to do with switching to my own Social Security from the the widower benefit?

2. If I sign up for Medicare Part B before I retire and still keep my health insurance at work (which I can do) are there Medigap plans offered that do not require health questions or exams? I live in Florida and would plan to retire after Part B and a medigap policy is in place.

[GailL1]

@MIKA456 

Yes, a beneficiary that has enough work credits for FREE Part A is automatically signed up for Part A when they are receiving benefits - Actually this is a benefit since it is “inpatient” coverage, with no premiums because of the years that you have worked and it works with your employer coverage as either primary or secondary depending on the size of your employer coverage - more or less than 20 employees.

Actually,I am kind of surprised that the SSA did not also sign you up for Part B also but that may have been because they saw that you were working - or maybe the timing and your higher age  when they added Part A - IDK.  You would have been given the option of opting out of Part B - if you didn’t want or need it.

You can sign up for Part B now while you are working or after you leave employment and lose coverage.  If you do the later, you have a specific time period to sign up for Part B.  You will need to do a few things.

To sign up for Part B, you will need to have your employer complete CMS - L564 to validate that you have had employer group coverage for the last 8 months at least. You should also have a validation letter that your prescription drug coverage under your employer is what SSA considers Creditable coverage in order to avoid a late sign up penalty for Medicare Part D.  Actually, your employer should have been giving a confirmation of this Creditable prescription drug coverage every year since you reached 65.  Submit this with your Part B application CMS- 40B. 

If you follow the above submission of forms with your Part B application, you will be given a Special Enrollment period for obtaining a Medigap policy within a specific time period once you have dropped your group employer coverage and this is offered under the guaranteed issue rule so that the Medigap insurer cannot consider any health conditions in your application.  You are able to sign up for any Medigap plan that is offered to you by whatever insurer.

I am attaching several Medicare / SSA / CMS links that validate the above and the forms that you need to submit.  

CMS.gov- A Work Through Fact Sheet - Medicare Decisions for Those Over 65 and Planning to Retire in ... 

CMS.gov - FORM L564 - CMS-L564: Request for Employment Information 

CMS.gov - Application for Medicare Part B  form download at the bottom of this page CMS - 40B

Medicare.gov - When Can I Buy A Medigap Plan 

Remember to review your Medicare Part B Premium amount to see if you will have any IRMAA applied or if once notified, you will need to file an appeal because of an allowable life situation.

Medicare.gov - 2025 Medicare Cost 

Good Luck 

[MIKA456]

Thank you, very helpful information