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First time enrolling in Medicare: Medicare Part B Penalty waived

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cloudwalk

I understand if you don't enroll in Medicare part B immediately during open enrollment, and return to the US after living abroad you can be penalized, under what circumstances and in what countries is this penalty waived? I know if you volunteer in a foreign country that is one way, or if you work and have health insurance that qualifies, and the social security office approves of your medical plan they can waive the penalty, does anyone have a list of countries that automatically waive that 10% penalty or have a list of medical providers that are reciprocal to Medicare and  therefore have a greater chance of being approved to waive the penalty?

TominStuttgart

Only applies to people over 65 who have paid into the US Social Security program for over 24 months - unless they were receiving SS disability benefits already. And by applying for SS benefits at that time, one is automatically signed up. Does this even apply to you?


It all sounds complex but the following link seems to have a good overview; https://www.cms.gov/training-education/ … enrollment


But not sure what you are asking about foreign countries paying? They have nothing to do with US medicare. One is only covered in the States and not elsewhere.

Pablo888

How much is Medicare Part B per month?  Just curious.

Pablo888

I asked the question and this came to my attention.


https://finance.yahoo.com/news/medicare … 56768.html


Medicare Part is getting more expensive....

TominStuttgart

I asked the question and this came to my attention.
https://finance.yahoo.com/news/medicare … 56768.html

Medicare Part is getting more expensive.... - @Pablo888


Yeah, what isn't? But as the OP suggested that they are going to live outside of the States then what does it matter? They need to get insured in their country of residency, not the States if they no longer live there.

Pablo888

Thank you @tominstuttgart.  I don't have first hand knowledge but I was told to keep paying for Medical Part B even if you are not in the country because there is a penalty if you go back to the US and start paying to using it.


@abthree, I remember that there was something that we should keep paying even if you are not in the US - just to be sure to be covered if you go back....  I could have this wrong.  If so, please feel free to correct.

TominStuttgart

Thank you @tominstuttgart. I don't have first hand knowledge but I was told to keep paying for Medical Part B even if you are not in the country because there is a penalty if you go back to the US and start paying to using it.
@abthree, I remember that there was something that we should keep paying even if you are not in the US - just to be sure to be covered if you go back.... I could have this wrong. If so, please feel free to correct. - @Pablo888


I have to say up front that I don't know the specifics but sounds strange to pay for something one doesn't use! One would have to calculate the likelihood of returning, when,  and what any penalty might be - and if it is more than what one would waste paying yearly for something they get no beneifits from. I have have no plans to return to the US and would definitely not pay. Someone only planning to stay off a year or 2 and likely to return might very well calculate it differently.

Pablo888

@tominstuttgart, I stopped figuring out how the Medicare laws are made and what loopholes exist.  It's way too complicated but I need to keep myself informed.


However @cloudwalk mentioned in the opening of the topic, there is a penalty for not enrolling during open enrollment.  And the issue here is that he is planning on returning to the US and that's why he is looking for the waiver.


Would be interesting to get to the bottom of the question as this may be needed for any US citizen living abroad - with last resort alternative to go back....  Or at least, I am also interested in the answer....

abthree

12/06/24 @Pablo888.  Sorry, I wasn't subscribed to this thread and missed the callout.  Thanks for referencing it in the Brazil Forum.


Dropping Part B and re-upping later will result in a late enrollment fee penalty equal to 10% for each 12 month period during which coverage is waived, for life.  So if the recipient is out of the plan for seven years and then re-enrolls, his/her premium from then on will be Base Premium plus 70%.  This is why I've never dropped it, and never will -- but I've been notoriously over-insured all my life anyway. 


https://www.kff.org/faqs/medicare-open- … -for-me-o/


@cloudwalk.  Here are the general rules that let an eligible person who is still receiving health insurance from an employer to delay Medicare Part B enrollment.  I believe that it only applies to US employers.  If you're employed abroad by a local employer, you should check with Social Security before you make a final decision not to enroll:


https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-qa … l-working/


I'm not aware of ANY "countries that automatically waive that 10% penalty or have a list of medical providers that are reciprocal to Medicare"; the second is highly unlikely, since Medicare won't pay providers outside the US even if they're willing to accept payment.  As for countries, that's also highly unlikely.  The US does have Social Security treaties with a number of countries.  Every one is different and they mostly have to do with mutual recognition of contributions and retirement benefits, but some may address health care in some way.  You'd have to check each one individually,  here's the list:


https://www.ssa.gov/international/agree … rview.html

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