Reply #23: That's NOT TRUE! My husband was 65 last Sept. He applied for SS [View All]

but declined medicare because he is still covered by his insurance at work, and so am I. You are confusing Medicare with the NEW drug coverage. Even with the new drug coverage, if the policy you now have is equal to or exceeds the gov't plan, you don't have to take theirs and you will NOT get a penalty. IF your current plan is "not as good" as the gov't plan, then you must buy one of the Part D insurance plan coverages. That's where we are. The drug coverage hubby has at work has a cap of $5,000/yr which makes it a non-compliant plan. I checked all the plans available for the cheapest per month cost because hubby's meds never even come close to reaching the cap of $5,000 that his employer has on their drug plan. I pay $16.60/mo for insurance I know I most likely will never use, but we also won't ever be penalized.

As far as "medicare" which is the hospital coerage, as long as you have SOME insurance coverage, you do NOT have to take medicare, and there is NO PENALTY.