ArcaMax

Dear Toni,

I need your help! I made a big mistake and enrolled in Medicare when I turned 65 in January due to the marketing phone calls I received, telling me it was time to.

My company’s HR department advised me to disenroll from Medicare because I am still employed with employer benefits. Please explain how to disenroll properly. Thanks, Toni.

—Cynthia from Houston

Hi Cynthia:

I have good news for you because your Medicare situation is simple. Medicare does allow those turning 65 with employer benefits to delay Part B enrollment without a penalty when you want to enroll in Medicare when you leave work or retire after 65. This information is discussed on page 19 of the 2026 Medicare & You handbook under “I have other health coverage. Should I get Part B?” Delaying Medicare does require you to have employer group health coverage from your or your spouse’s employment.

Social Security processes the paperwork for Medicare and is the government agency to contact to terminate your enrollment in Medicare Parts A and/or B. You need to file Form CMS-1763, “Request for termination of Premium Part A, Part B or Part B Immunosuppressive Drug coverage,” with your local Social Security office to terminate Medicare Part A (hospital) and/or Part B (medical). For questions about filing the CMS-1763 form, contact your local Social Security office or call Social Security’s toll-free number at 800-772-1213 and hold forever. Inform the representative that you need to terminate your Medicare since you are working full-time with an employer’s health insurance plan and mistakenly enrolled in Medicare.

Take your time when enrolling in Medicare and know your Medicare options. Have questions? Call Toni at 832-519-8664 or email info@tonisays.com. And beware of marketing phone calls!

*** Reader Medicare Fraud Alert at www.tonisays.com.*** Medicare fraud is estimated to cost more than $60 billion a year and hurts America because when thieves steal from Medicare, there is less money available for health care that one really needs. Let your friends know that current Medicare fraud information is now on tonisays.com.

Remember with Medicare, what you don’t know WILL hurt you!

_____

_____

Toni King is an author and columnist on Medicare, Social Security and long-term care issues. She has spent nearly 30 years as a top sales leader in the field. If you have a Medicare question, email info@tonisays.com or call 832-519-8664. Sign up for the Toni Says newsletter at www.tonisays.com to keep up to date on Medicare changes.

©2026 Toni King. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

Copyright 2026 Toni King, Distributed by Counterpoint Media