declining part B

[brotheral]

Hi everyone.
I'll be turning 65 in 6 months and was planning to sign up for Part B and pay it myself until I collect my SS at age 66. Last night I was talking to a friend. He said if I can decline part B. But because I'm enrolled in Part A, if I go to a doctor or other service provider that accepts medicare I only have to pay what medicare allows. Is this TRUE ?
Have a good day

 

[Mack]

Hi and welcome,

I have never heard that. Since the doctor would not be filing your claim with Medicare (because you wouldn't be covered under part B) there would be no way for Medicare to limit what the doctor charges. So I doubt that is true.

However that is my opinion only, not fact. Check with Medicare to be sure! 1-800-Medicare

I would wonder why you wouldn't want to sign up for Part B when eligible? One accident or serious illness could run in the tens of thousands of dollars out of your pocket!

 

[brotheral]

Hi and welcome,

I have never heard that. Since the doctor would not be filing your claim with Medicare (because you wouldn't be covered under part B) there would be no way for Medicare to limit what the doctor charges. So I doubt that is true.

However that is my opinion only, not fact. Check with Medicare to be sure! 1-800-Medicare

I would wonder why you wouldn't want to sign up for Part B when eligible? One accident or serious illness could run in the tens of thousands of dollars out of your pocket!

Thanks Mack !

 

[mattspits]

If you decline Part B and go to the doctor, you'll be paying as if you didn't have insurance. You need Part B to cover things like doctor's visits. If you decline Part B, and then pick it up later you will get hit with a 10% annual penalty. You need Part B.

Matt

 

[MBSC]

Not only does Part B cover doctor's visits, it also pays for Outpatient (OP) Hospital services. Without Part B, you are responsible for the entire ER visit or elective OP hospital procedure. This includes both the facility fees and professional charges.

For inpatient hospital services, Part A only covers the facility fees after the Part A deductible has been met. Without part B, you would be responsible for all the professional charges, such as surgeons, anesthesiologists, pathologists, radiologists, etc. You need Part B coverage.

What your friend may have been trying to say is that you can sign up for Part B and Part D (drug coverage) to avoid late enrollment penalties but not a Medigap (Medicare Supplement). In this scenario, Part B pays 80% of the Medicare allowed amount and you would be responsible for 20% of the Medicare allowed amount and not the billed charge. However, that 20% can add up quickly so a Medigap Plan F-HD at about $50 per month is worth it.