In May, 2018 I filed a restricted application for a SS spousal benefit. It was retroactive to November 2017, my 66th birth month. Medicare Part A was also retroactive to November 2017. I specifically declined Part B and have documentation of that. I currently have employer health coverage. What I unfortunately did not notice in later communications was that I had been enrolled in Part B in error beginning July 2018. When I received my Medicare card, I tucked it in a file folder, anticipating that I would not be using it and did not notice that Part B was included
My statement for 2019 benefits arrived showing a deduction for Part B premiums. I called Social Security and was told to write a letter declining Part B coverage, but the person had no information on whether I could be refunded any of the premiums that were deducted in error. Medicare said they could not help as the enrollment came through Social Security. Do you know of a process for recovering premiums deducted in error?
Thanks for your help!

Hi,

The only way that you could receive a refund of the Part B Medicare premiums that have been withheld is if you can prove to Social Security's satisfaction that your Part B enrollment was their mistake. For example, if you were enrolled as part of the spousal application process, your copy of your application should show that you declined enrollment in Part B of Medicare. If you can prove to Social Security's satisfaction that the Part B enrollment was caused by their error, they should honor your request to have the enrollment nullified. And, in that event they would refund the premiums that were withheld.

The other option would be to request a voluntary Part B termination via a form CMS-1763(https://www.cms.gov/Medicare/CMS-Forms/CMS-Forms/Downloads/CMS1763.pdf). However, that would simply terminate your coverage effective with the end of the month following the month of your request. That would still leave you liable for premiums for the months that you were enrolled in Part B of Medicare, even if the enrollment was a mistake.

Best, Jerry