I’m 67, working full time, and previously had a 4-month job gap. I enrolled in Medicare A and B to avoid penalties, but SSA won’t let me disenroll from A. I haven’t claimed Social Security and don’t need Part A, which blocks my HSA. What can I do?

Question

Nikki Rowland · Accepted Answer

First, I recommend confirming with your employer’s HR department that your current coverage is creditable and that you are not required to enroll in Medicare Part A yet. You’ll also want to make sure your plan is a qualifying High Deductible Health Plan so you can continue contributing to your HSA.

Take time to weigh the pros and cons. Once you drop Part A, getting back on can be a bit of a process, so make sure delaying it is truly the right move for you.

If you decide to delay Part A, you’ll need to complete form CMS‑1763. This form must be handled through a Social Security representative.

Mark Maliwauki · Answer

Under IRS rules, you cannot contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA) while enrolled in any part of Medicare. Because premium-free Medicare Part A comes automatically when you are over 65, the only legal way to unenroll from Part A to restore your HSA eligibility is to formally withdraw your Social Security application and pay back any retirement benefits already received. So whoever is saying that you cannot disenroll is incorrect. It is however not a good idea. When you are on Medicare, and HSA can be achieved in other ways. Namely through what is called an MSA account i.e. Medicare Medical Savings account. This is a Medicare Advantage plan.

Answered by Mark Maliwauki on July 6, 2026

Broker Licensed in ID, AZ, CA & 13 other states

Answered by Mark Maliwauki Medicare Insurance Agent

Ann Sanfelippo · Answer

Unfortunately, once you’re enrolled in Medicare Part A, it’s very difficult to drop it without also withdrawing from Social Security benefits. Even if you haven’t started Social Security yet, the Social Security Administration generally treats Part A enrollment as voluntary and does not allow disenrollment by itself in most cases.

Because you have Part A, you are no longer eligible to contribute to an HSA, even if you’re still working and have employer coverage. Your options are typically to stop HSA contributions going forward or speak directly with SSA to confirm if any exception applies in your situation.

Going forward, you can still use existing HSA funds for qualified medical expenses, including certain Medicare costs.

Betty McCarty · Answer

Medicare Part A is like a one-way door. 

Once you walk through it after age 65, the government doesn’t let you walk back out unless you also give up your right to Social Security. 

Since you haven’t claimed Social Security yet, you wouldn’t owe anything back — but you’d also be giving up your future right to premium‑free Part A. 

Most people decide it’s not worth it. The simpler option is to keep Part A and stop HSA contributions going forward.

Voss Speros · Answer

Vos Speros here, Greek god of Medicare. The question of the day is a little long and might read a little bit from the computer, but I'm 67 years old, work full time, and previously had a four-month gap in my job. I enrolled in Medicare Part A and B so I wouldn’t get the penalties. But I got another job, and Social Security won't release me from Part A. I don't need it because it blocks me from my HSA. What do I do?

So at that point, you have to write into the Social Security department using form CMS 1763. You’ve got to give them handwritten information on what you really want to do. You can't get out. So you can get back to your age or say yes. And that was smart to pick it up for that gap so you wouldn't get hit with the penalties of not having coverage in between jobs.

That is a tough one. If you're not taking Medicare at 65 and working, then losing your job and picking another one up, there's a lot that goes into all that. So if you guys have questions, give me a call. We'll be more than happy to send an agent out to help.

Priscilla Ramos · Answer

You generally can’t drop Medicare Part A by itself. To disenroll, you must withdraw your entire Medicare enrollment (Part A & B) and if you were receiving Social Security, you’d have to repay any benefits (doesn’t apply to you since you haven’t claimed).

Answered by Priscilla Ramos on March 31, 2026

Agent Licensed in OH, AZ, FL & 6 other states

Answered by Priscilla Ramos Medicare Insurance Agent

Gary Church · Answer

Yes, my name is Gary Church, my company is Bay Area Health Solutions, and the question today is: I'm 67, working full time, and I have a four month job gap. I enrolled into Medicare Part A and Part B to avoid penalties, but Social Security won't let me disenroll from Part A. I haven't claimed Social Security and I don't need Part A, which blocks my HSA.

Well, the answer to the question is, first of all, once you turn 65 and you're eligible for Medicare, generally your Medicare Part A goes into effect on your 65th birthday that month. So that does make you ineligible for an HSA, because Medicare itself does not have a high deductible health plan. It's incompatible with Medicare.

Once your Medicare Part A is activated, that definitely means you cannot contribute to your HSA. But you can use your HSA for medical, or just take the money out and do what you want with it.

The rule is, if you continue to contribute to that, you're going to get a penalty from Medicare, and it also will go against you tax wise. So I would definitely sit down with a licensed Medicare agent or a broker who can help evaluate your decision on it.

You may also want to consider whether or not to go on your employer health plan or to stay on Medicare. There are definitely some benefits to either one. It just depends on what your costs with your benefits are.

So again, hopefully that answers your question.

Mary Brown · Answer

Since you're not collecting Social Security, you may be able to request to withdraw your Medicare Part A enrollment. This isn't automatic, and there are certain rules, especially if Medicare has already paid any claims. I recommend contacting Social Security to discuss your options.

Answered by Mary Brown on June 29, 2026

Broker Licensed in NJ, DE, FL & NC, OH, PA & TX

Answered by Mary Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Lou Spatafore · Answer

Unfortunately you cannot disenroll from Medicare Part A to continue contributing to an HSA if you are still working. By enrolling in Medicare you lose the HSA contribution eligibility. You still have access to the funds in the account but can no longer contribute.

Answered by Lou Spatafore on March 31, 2026

Broker Licensed in WV, FL, GA & 10 other states

Answered by Lou Spatafore Medicare Insurance Agent

Steve Adlman · Answer

There is no need to disenroll from Part A since it is free. It is fine to disenroll from Part B if you are covered through an employer group health plan.

Donna Berube · Answer

Part A is free so no need to disenroll in that, part B is what you pay for each month, the lowest is $202.90, you could possibly disenroll in Part B if everything has been recent. You're welcome to call me with any other questions.

Answered by Donna Berube on March 31, 2026

Agent Licensed in NH

Answered by Donna Berube Medicare Insurance Agent

Gisele Salas · Answer

Enrollment in any part of Medicare part a or B prevents you from contributing to the HSA on a pre-tax basis
And also, you cannot cancel your part A Medicare  unless you paid premiums into it

Lt Col Tim Brown · Answer

Part A should not be interfering with your HSA.  I too am 67 and work. Getting on Medicare with one of the free plans that pays money on your Part B premium is the way I went.  Much better than private or group insurance.  Perhaps give me a call, as there is too much to text.  

Lt Col Tim Brown, Agent of 38 years
I’m in 14 states.  And a conservative.  
Contact me.

Christopher Boyd RICP, CLTC, LTCP, APP, MAML · Answer

Best to call 1 (800) Medicare to get clarification when you are getting conflicting information. There are rules and restrictions with HSA.

I’m 67, working full time, and previously had a 4-month job gap. I enrolled in Medicare A and B to avoid penalties, but SSA won’t let me disenroll from A. I haven’t claimed Social Security and don’t need Part A, which blocks my HSA. What can I do?

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I’m 67, working full time, and previously had a 4-month job gap. I enrolled in Medicare A and B to avoid penalties, but SSA won’t let me disenroll from A. I haven’t claimed Social Security and don’t need Part A, which blocks my HSA. What can I do?

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