Q & A
I retired a few years ago with a pension and with Federal Employees Health Benefits coverage. Turned 65 a year ago. Have not applied for Social Security, as the benefit will be less than $200 per month. All sources tell me that when I apply for Social Security, Medicare Part A will be mandatory, even though all our working careers, they said we can just have FEHB for retirement. I do not want Part A and wish to remain with FEHB only. Also with all of the mixups, I am sure they will put me into Part B, as well (even though I do not want or need).
Answer: I can think of no reason for failing to apply for your Social Security benefit or accepting coverage under Medicare Part A, for which you’ve already paid through payroll deductions. If you don’t want to be covered by Medicare Part B, you must reject it when you are notified of that option.
Source: Reg Jones, FederalTimes.com – December 5, 2013