Medicare Part B Eligibility Part B is available to anyone age 65 who is either a U.S. citizen residing in the United States or a lawfully admitted alien who has continuously resided in the U.S. for five years prior to filing an application. The high option usually does not cover enough additional services to justify paying the extra premium. Part B simply would not add enough to the HMO total package of benefits to justify paying premiums. Two points are noteworthy. The savings from not paying the Part B premium would more than offset any future penalty.
Similar savings accrue for each year of non-enrollment.
Here's one final reminder. This is not true. As noted above, HMO enrollees may find they do not need Medicare Part B, since HMOs cover most of their enrollees' medical care with only small copayments. Part B Withholding Annuitants receiving Social Security benefits must have Part B premiums withheld from their monthly Social Security payment. Those who don't qualify for or receive Social Security payments can either pay a quarterly premium to the Health Care Financing Administration or have the premiums withheld from their Civil Service annuity.