Immigrant parents/Medicare

[hope2018 25]

My dad has been in the US for over 5 years . He has been working as soon as he is eligible to work. My dad is over 65 years old now, but he has private insurance through his employer. I know he is not qualified for Medicare because he has not been working long enough, but is there any penalty for not enrolling in Medicare when you are 65? Lets say he is working until he is eligible for Medicare, will he face the late enrollment penalty at that time? Thanks. 

Edited October 28, 2018 by hope2018

[Ben&Zian 4,397]

Not that I am aware of... 

[bakphx1 785]

Actually there is a late enrollment penalty, but I believe it’s based on when you become eligible, which if he’s still short working credits he may not be dinged because he’s not eligible yet. I would ask SSA since their general information assumes you turn 65 having enough credits.

[Randyandyuni 2,682]

I believe since he is not eligible to enroll they cannot penalize him for not enrolling, talk about catch-22

[Boiler 43,434]

You can buy into Medicare after 5 years as a LPR.

[hope2018 25]

14 minutes ago, Boiler said:

You can buy into Medicare after 5 years as a LPR.

He has private insurance so he does not need Medicare right now, but I want to learn about the late enrollment penalty just in case. 

[Randyandyuni 2,682]

4 minutes ago, hope2018 said:

He has private insurance so he does not need Medicare right now, but I want to learn about the late enrollment penalty just in case. 

https://www.mymedicarematters.org/enrollment/penalties-and-risks/

[hope2018 25]

6 hours ago, Randyandyuni said:

https://www.mymedicarematters.org/enrollment/penalties-and-risks/

Thanks. I read that and also found this link https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-qa-tool/do-i-enroll-in-medicare-age-65-even-if-still-working/

My dad works for a company with more than 20 people so I think he is Ok for now. It would make no sense to pay for medicare when he has insurance coverage from private insurance.

[Randyandyuni 2,682]

2 hours ago, hope2018 said:

Thanks. I read that and also found this link https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-qa-tool/do-i-enroll-in-medicare-age-65-even-if-still-working/

My dad works for a company with more than 20 people so I think he is Ok for now. It would make no sense to pay for medicare when he has insurance coverage from private insurance.

Agreed, good luck

Edited October 28, 2018 by Randyandyuni

[N-o-l-a 7,167]

3 hours ago, hope2018 said:

Thanks. I read that and also found this link https://www.aarp.org/health/medicare-qa-tool/do-i-enroll-in-medicare-age-65-even-if-still-working/

My dad works for a company with more than 20 people so I think he is Ok for now. It would make no sense to pay for medicare when he has insurance coverage from private insurance.

 

My mother was in a similar situation, but eligible.  She was not penalized for waiting until she retired this year and lost her regular coverage.