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January 31, 2020
Category:
Am I Correct That Signing Up For Part A Of Medicare Eliminates Higher Premiums For Parts B & D?
Hello,
Great article about Sue and her unfortunate Medicare premiums at age 68.
Had she signed up for free part A at age 65 and the same work scenario played out, would she have also faced higher premiums for B and D?
It's my understanding signing up for part A eliminates these higher premiums for B and D.
Hi,
NO, signing up for premium free part A of Medicare does NOT exempt you from potentially being subject to premium surcharge penalties for parts B & D of Medicare.
If a person signs up just for part A of Medicare when they are first eligible and declines to apply for optional parts B & D, they must have creditable health & drug coverage through an employer group plan in order to prevent the possible assessment of a premium surcharge penalty if they later sign up for parts B and/or D (https://www.medicare.gov/sign-up-change-plans/how-do-i-get-parts-a-b/should-i-get-parts-a-b).
Best, Jerry