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Can I Quit Medicare?

After you work and pay taxes, when you retire, you can enjoy several benefits provided through federal programs such as Medicare and Social Security retirement. Some of these benefits are not voluntary and are simply a return for the money you paid in taxes for many years of work. With Medicare coverage, only Part A is free because of taxes you paid. You are required to pay premiums for other Medicare coverage.

  1. Medicare Part A

    • Medicare Part A is also called hospital insurance. Part A is free for all American citizens who paid Medicare tax and who reach retirement age, which is 65 years old. If you are already receiving Social Security benefits such as retirement benefits or disability benefits, your coverage would automatically start when you turn 65 years old. You cannot drop Medicare Part A coverage even if you do not want it. However, since you do not pay anything for its coverage, you might as well have it as a return for the taxes you already paid. If you are not yet receiving Social Security benefits, you must enroll in Part A when you become eligible.

    Medicare Part B

    • If you are receiving Social Security benefits, you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Part B. However, Part B is not free, and if you want to quit its coverage, you are allowed to do so. Three months before you turn 65 years old, you will receive your Medicare card for Parts A and B. If you want to drop Part B coverage, you must follow the instructions on your Medicare card and return your card to the Social Security office. You have to do it as soon as you receive your card because, otherwise, you will be charged the premium for Part B. If you do not yet receive Social Security benefits, you do not need to enroll in Part B if you do not desire to do so.

    Medicare Part C

    • Medicare Part C is also known as Advantage Plans. Medicare Part C allows you to choose a private company's plan as a complement to your Part A and Part B coverage. Part C is not free, and enrollment is voluntary. Unlike Part A and Part B, you are not automatically enrolled in Part C. If you want a Part C plan, you must join it. If you have a Part C plan and you want to get rid of its coverage, you can do it.

    Medicare Part D

    • Medicare Part D provides prescription drug plans. As with Part C, you have to pay premiums for Part D and enrollment is voluntary. You can also discontinue coverage in a plan after enrolling in it. However, not joining (or dropping) a Part D plan might have its consequences. If you need its coverage later on, you would be required to pay a higher premium unless you prove to the Social Security office that you had another prescription drug plan with an accredited company instead.

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