Is Medicare Part B Mandatory at Age 65? – What You Should Know

Growing older means that you have to pay premium prices for health care. Since insurance from private companies can be quite costly, most people often opt for Medicare since it is the more affordable route. Medicare is often classified as either Medicare Part A or Part B. Since everyone is automatically opted into Medicare Part A once they turn 65, not many know what Part B entails for that extra premium it charges. So, is Medicare Part B mandatory at age 65? To put it simply, no. At Vertex Insurance, they seek to make information about Medicare as easy to understand as possible because it can get overwhelming sometimes. This article will go into detail about what is in Medicare Part B and will help you decide on whether you should opt in or out to also make it as easy to understand as possible.

What’s In Medicare Part B?

It goes without saying that you need to understand what it actually covers before you start wondering whether or not you’re eligible for it.

Medicare Part B has two classifications. The first are medically necessary services, while the other are preventive services. The first involves treatment of medically recognized illnesses. This includes everything from doctor visits, lab tests, surgeries, to supplies like wheelchairs and walkers. For example, if you’re diabetic, you’ll need to get your blood tested often, this is covered under the medically necessary services.

The preventive portion of Medicare part B includes services like screenings to check for cancers, other procedures and treatments like clinical research, ambulance services, mental health services and certain prescription drugs are covered.

Keep in mind that the 2019 Medicare plan has lifted the coverage cap on certain critical services under Part B, such as speech language pathology. Note that these lifts in coverage cap applies solely to the 2019 year plan. If you have the original, you won’t be a beneficiary of these lift and will need supplemental insurance like Medigap for services like acupuncture, dental care, eye exams, hearing aid and other non essential treatments.

Medicare Part B Eligibility Criteria

Some people get automatic enrollment into both Medicare Parts A and B. They meet the eligibility requirements which include:

• Those living in Puerto Rico, who also receive social security benefits
• Those who receive retirement benefits from RRB or social security
• Those younger than 65, and living with a disability
• Those with ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease

If you get automatic enrollment but don’t want total coverage, you can opt out of Part B. Although you should do so as soon as possible, otherwise, you’ll be liable for the monthly premium for total coverage.

When Can I Enroll?

You can enroll in Medicare Part B about 3 months before your 65th birthday, or just wait till you reach 65.

Options & Penalties For Medicare Part B Enrollment

Even though Medicare isn’t considered “mandatory,” it can feel like it is, especially when you see the penalties for late enrollment.

If you miss enrollment, you have to wait until the next general enrollment before you can register. Meanwhile, you’ll be charged penalties for however long it is till then. These penalties compound, so they get worse with time.

Next Steps

As everyone grows older, medical coverage becomes more of a priority and expensive too. That’s why a lot of people opt for Medicare once they turn 65 since it is more accessible than purchasing coverage from a private company. Medicare usually comes in either Parts A or B. The two differ by the fact that one is mandatory, while the other isn’t. So, is Medicare Part B mandatory at age 65? Medicare Part B is not mandatory, but if you’re looking to opt for this preferred plan, it’s advised to do so as soon possible to avoid any penalties.