Keeping it simple, Veterans who receive VA Healthcare should have the option to be exempt from Medicare payroll deductions as they will likely never use it. The population of Veterans who receive VA healthcare is relatively small so their lack of contributions wouldn’t hurt the overall pool of people paying into it. Allow Veterans choose to keep paying if they elect to use it later on in life.
6 Likes
I am a veteran and opted out of medicare part B. I don’t believe anyone is saying you have to pay into it.
2 Likes
Medicare tax is mandatory for payroll. The Medicare tax is a mandatory payroll tax in the United States that funds the Medicare program, which provides healthcare coverage primarily for people aged 65 and older, as well as some younger individuals with disabilities. It’s part of the Federal Insurance Contributions Act (FICA) taxes, which also include Social Security tax. The question of whether you can opt out of Medicare tax on payroll depends on a few factors, including your employment status, the type of work you do, and whether you qualify for specific exemptions.
1 Like
My husband is a Veteran, and I will mention to him that you opted out of Medicare part B. We did not know you could do so.
I might add that I do not live anywhere near a VA clinic or hospital and that I get my healthcare through the VA Community Care program so I have no need for medicare part B. The VA likes for veterans to have medicare because they can get reembursed through medicare but still, a veteran does not have to carry medicare part B unless you want to see a doctor outside of the VA clinic or VA hospital. At least this is my understanding.
1 Like
My husband was using the VA Community Care Program up until the last couple of years when he got pushback from the VA. My husband also retired from Verizon with medical benefits but that changed a lot when the infamous No Care Affordable Healthcare came into our lives. Thank you for your input; it is very helpful and appreciated.
Totally agree. Common sense.