Do congressmen and women have to take medicare at 65?

[Gin]

last night 2 republicans said they were on medicare..

[tsuki]

1. I don't know. The military does. Mom was told at 65 that she was

no longer military care, she was medicare.

[Gin]

2. the congressmen were both doctors....the woman next to me was

as surprised as I was to hear them say they were on medicare..tried to research it but couldn't find anything.

[elleng]

3. Don't think so, but not sure.

As Fed 'ees, they may be entitled to continue w Fed 'ee Health Benefit Plan instead of Medicare. (I may do this, even tho retired.)

[dtexdem]

4. I'm on an employer plan (BC/BS) and it remains my primary insurer.

Medicare Part A will, on the first of next month, be my secondary payer.

In fact, so long as one is on an employer-based plan, one not need to decide on enrolling in Part B unless or until one is no longer covered by that employer-based plan.

[frazzled]

5. No one HAS to, but you can get it while still remaining on your work insurance

For Medicare Part A (hospitalization), it is recommended that you sign up at 65 even if you are still getting insurance through your employer--it might pay some costs the insurance company won't.

For Part B (doctor visits), the premium gets more expensive the longer you wait after 65 (though I think there is an exclusion for if you are receiving insurance through work and enroll within a certain period of time after your work insurance stops).

So, to answer: Congress people, like any individual, are not required to sign up for Medicare, but most people do, and I suspect Senators and Reps turning 65 can get on Medicare and also retain their government policies if they want.

[proudlib8134]

8. +1

[DrDan]

6. your current insurance may be impacted if you turn 65 and do not sign up and make Medicare primary

I assume that is what they are referring to.

[Philippine expat]

7. Medicare part A is automatic and free, Part B is automatic if

you are alrady drawing SS (you can opt out)