I am a retired federal worker and as such am able to buy and keep my Medical Benefits as though I am still working. I receive SS benefits and am turning 65 in January of 2024. So my question is this, Do I need to take Medicare B,C,D etc if I am enrolled in a major medical plan already? I know I have to file for Part A.
Thank you for any help you can provide.

Hi. No, you certainly aren't required to enroll in parts B,C, or D of Medicare. Unlike most private industry health plans, federal employee/retiree plans do not automatically revert to secondary coverage when you turn age 65. So, if you're happy with the coverage provided by your federal plan you can simply choose to continue your current coverage. Medicare Part A will become your primary coverage for inpatient hospital charges, and your federal plan will continue to be responsible for any covered non-inpatient services and will act as a secondary coverage for inpatient hospital charges.

Some retired federal employees do opt to enroll in the optional parts of Medicare, though, while also keeping their federal plan coverage. If they do so, Medicare then becomes their primary coverage for any services covered by the part(s) of Medicare in which they enroll, and their federal plan works as a supplemental plan. However, they must then pay the premiums for both their federal coverage and for any optional parts of Medicare in which they enroll.

By the way, if you're receiving Social Security benefits then Social Security will automatically enroll you in both Parts A and B of Medicare unless you refuse the Part B coverage. You should receive a notice about 2 to 3 months before age 65 that gives you instructions for what you need to do if you decide to decline Part B coverage.

Best, Jerry