How to Decline Medicare Part B

Medicare is an essential service for many of our nation's seniors, but there is a chance that some of the benefits offered by Medicare may not be necessary for certain individuals. For example, Medicare Part B, which covers outpatient care, doctor's services, home health care and preventive medicine, may not be a necessity for many people. If you feel that Medicare Part B is nonessential for you, you do not have to participate in it. There is a way to decline it.

Instructions

1. Wait for your Medicare card to arrive in the mail. If you have Social Security, this card will arrive about three months before your 65th birthday.

2. Read the information on the back of the sheet your card is attached to. Fill out the form located there.

3. Return the card and the form back to the sender. In doing this, you are declining Part B of your Medicare coverage.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not return the card after filling out the information on the back of the form, you have not declined Part B of Medicare. You must return the card, or you are accepting Part B and will have to pay the assigned premiums.

• You have a limited period of time to decline Part B after you receive the card. It is best to decline the coverage within a month of receiving your card.

• If you need more information, call the Social Security offices at 1-800-772-1213 (For TTY: 1-800-325-0778

References

• Medicare.gov: Medicare & You 2010