topic Can Someone Help Me? in Among Friends

Can Someone Help Me?

77yangya — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 18:31:32 GMT

I want to decline Part B and I mailed in the tear away. Now, they're telling me to print out a form, which I did, fax it and then they'll do it. I do NOT have a medicare card since I was told to mail it back declining part B. I don't need the card but they should have sent me a new one without part B on it. This is what I was told by a rep. Every rep says something different. Unreal.

I'm having the form filled out with a cover letter as instructed by rep on phone.

Has anyone else gone through this? Thing of it is, is that they are forcing me to pay for Part B. They just took it from me personally. I'm fully covered in every way.

Just would like to hear other stories of folks that went through this. I guess it helps to hear " you're not the only one" kind of thing. Thank you in advance.

Re: Can Someone Help Me?

Renata22 — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 18:42:06 GMT

I hope someone can help with your problem. We find the whole thing very confusing. Hubby was still working so he declined part b. Lost insurance, so had to get part b. So very confusing. One letter says we owe a certain amount, online it's a different story. Have to wait forever to talk to someone on the phone and then not always helpful.

Re: Can Someone Help Me?

Imaoldhippie — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 18:47:15 GMT

The best thing for you to do is go to your local social security office and have them help you in person.

Re: Can Someone Help Me?

camelot — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 18:47:28 GMT

Medicare. Call them. They are the ones who know the rules best.

Re: Can Someone Help Me?

SilleeMee — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 18:54:11 GMT

I requested to decline Part A. I sent in that CMS Form 1763 to my local SS office as instructed by them. They sent me a new card showing that I have only Part B now. The entire ordeal was a fiasco b/c they accidentally cancelled Part B. Make sure they cancel the right one! They should send you a letter stating what they did plus a new card.

Re: Can Someone Help Me?

patbz — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 18:56:11 GMT

@77yangya : I know you think you are completely covered w/o part B but many insurances for those who are retired automatically drop from complete coverage to just covering what part B wouldn't cover. Best to call your insurance company directly and ask about this. If you find out the hard way and later need to pick up part B it will cost lots more ( the longer you wait, the more it will cost forever ).

Re: Can Someone Help Me?

NicksmomESQ — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 19:02:56 GMT

@Imaoldhippie wrote:
The best thing for you to do is go to your local social security office and have them help you in person.

@Imaoldhippie Social Security offices are closed to the public with few exceptions, by appointment only due to Covid. My husband just signed up for part B & wanted to make an in person appointment. They said he could get a telephone appointment or apply online.

Re: Can Someone Help Me?

camelot — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 19:17:12 GMT

@NicksmomESQ wrote:
@Imaoldhippie wrote:
The best thing for you to do is go to your local social security office and have them help you in person.
@Imaoldhippie Social Security offices are closed to the public with few exceptions, by appointment only due to Covid. My husband just signed up for part B & wanted to make an in person appointment. They said he could get a telephone appointment or apply online.

FYI.........Social Security doesn't handle these questions.

Re: Can Someone Help Me?

deeva — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 19:49:37 GMT

Contact Medicare.

Re: Can Someone Help Me?

Carmie — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 20:49:08 GMT

@77yangya I am guessing you are still working or your spouse is and the employer is providing healthcare for you. If this is the case you must contact Social Security and request form CMS-1763. The form is not available on line.

If you do not have health insurance coverage through an employer, DO NOT cancel Medicare Part B. This insurance is needed. It covers doctors. Laboratories and all outpatient services like ER visits and ambulance.

If you decide to pick it up again, there will be penalties that will be charged that are extremely expensive unless you have insurance through an employer. Then you can pick it up without penality when it is no longer provided.

You also are not able to purchase any other insurance if you are eligible for Part B and decline it.

Do not call Medicare. They DO NOT handle this type of inquiry. They only handle claim inquiries.

I don't think this is a common problem because most people pick up Part B. It is very important to have it.

Those that have an employer sponsored healthcare coverage fill out their paperwork in advance and do not go through this and some pay for the Part B coverage and have two coverages.

Re: Can Someone Help Me?

Isobel Archer — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 20:08:44 GMT

You might want to get some expert advice on declining part B. There is a penalty if you want to take it later and that can be expensive.

Also, some plans (mine included this year) reimburse you for part B payments.

Re: Can Someone Help Me?

77yangya — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 21:00:32 GMT

Firstly, thank you to everyone that posted. I called Medicare and asked them for help and they said I to call SS. They Would NOT help me. Okay, I filled out the form declining part B and had it faxed. Yes, I know the longer I wait, the more expensive it'll be later.

Here's what got me angry.....they sent me a pack saying that if I do NOTHING I'll only get part A which I don't get billed for. I was told I could NOT decline part A. Both of these I found to be untrue.

Yes, it's very confusing and I wanted to go back to the SS office but my husband demanded that we can resolve this by calling and asking what we need to do. Well, okay, we did the form and faxed it and they said any money they took will be reimbursed and they did take our money.

Re: Can Someone Help Me?

77yangya — Tue, 29 Dec 2020 21:03:31 GMT

@SilleeMee wrote:
I requested to decline Part A. I sent in that CMS Form 1763 to my local SS office as instructed by them. They sent me a new card showing that I have only Part B now. The entire ordeal was a fiasco b/c they accidentally cancelled Part B. Make sure they cancel the right one! They should send you a letter stating what they did plus a new card.

Thank you SilleeMee for your post. Excellent advice. XO

Re: Can Someone Help Me?

Carmie — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 03:38:15 GMT

@77yangya If you do nothing, you will be enrolled in both parts of medicare. If you want to decline one part or the other, you must fill out the form.

I am not trying to be pushy or overstep, but you truly should not decline Part B. If you need the income you might be eligible to apply for part B at a reduced cost.

If you are not eligible for low income benefits , please keep Part B and sign up for a zero cost Advantage Plan. That way you will have good medical coverage.

I guarantee you will be kicking yourself later. This is not a matter to take lightly. You will be charged 10% more for each year you were eligible and declined Part B. In five years, it will cost you 50% more money for the rest of your life. I have personally seen people who declined Part B and were devastated later. Please, don't be one of those people. This is DANGEROUS to your health and finances.

BTW, you cannot opt out of Medicare Part A if you are receiving Social Security benefits, so, I don't think you were given false info on Part A.

The poster on this forum who said she opted out of Part A is not eligible for Social Security.

Re: Can Someone Help Me?

Annabellethecat66 — Wed, 30 Dec 2020 03:32:15 GMT

You should make an appointment first if you can.