Dropping Medicare when obtaining employer health coverage

Terri – Wash.: I am disabled. I have been on Medicare Part A and B with a Medigap policy. Last month my husband put me on his health insurance. I have cancelled my Medigap policy. Do I still have to keep paying my Medicare Part A and B now that I have good insurance from my husband’s work?

Phil Moeller: No, you probably don’t, assuming your husband’s employer has at least 20 employees. If his company does, you must be offered health coverage comparable to that offered to other employees. So you can contact Medicare to withdraw from Part B and stop paying those premiums. Because Part A is probably free to you, I’d keep it, as it can come in handy as a secondary payer if you need hospitalization and skilled nursing care.