The rules are in place to do just what was suggested. The claim by you that no one has done that is a poor justification for allowing the rules.
"Nobody has ever NOT gotten a Social Security check because they did not use Medicare benefits." - MaggieMae
Using the benefit is not the issue. Having to have Medicare part A or lose and repay SS is the issue.
Where does anything say you will? Currently, there
IS NO PENALTY imposed, such as "losing your SS benefits" just because you choose NOT to use Medicare. How much more clear can I make that?
Slow down just a minute and read these words one at a time. What are the differences between, "Where does anything say you will? Currently, there IS NO PENALTY imposed, such as "losing your SS benefits" just because you choose NOT to
use Medicare.
and this:
Having to
have Medicare part A or lose and repay SS is the issue.
Hint: Using and having are different.
The rules which you claim don't exist:
Rules and Procedures At Issue
On August 30, 1993, the Social Security Administration added two substantive rules to its "Program Operations Manual" to address the fact that "
ome individuals entitled to monthly benefits have asked to waive Hospital Insurance (HI) entitlement because of religious or philosophical reasons, or because they prefer other health insurance." (These rules, while promulgated by SSA, are enforced by both SSA and HHS.)
The first rule reads:
Policy
"Individuals entitled to monthly benefits which confer eligibility for HI may not waive HI entitlement. The only way to avoid HI Entitlement is through withdrawal of the monthly benefit application. Withdrawal requires repayment of all Retirement, Survivors, Disability Insurance (RSDI) and HI benefit payments."
The second rule reads:
Policy
"To withdraw from the HI program, an individual must submit a written request for withdrawal and must refund any HI benefits paid on his/her behalf ... An individual who filed an application for both monthly benefits and HI may:
Withdraw the claim for monthly benefits without jeopardizing HI entitlement; or
Withdraw the claim for both monthly benefits and HI.
The individual may not elect to withdraw only the HI claim."
Nearly a decade later, on May 23, 2002, SSA tightened the noose still further, adding the following substantive rule to its Program Operations Manual:
Policy
" The claimant can withdraw an application for:
RSI [Retirement or Survivors Insurance, i.e., Social Security] cash benefits only
RSI cash benefits and HI insurance coverage ..., or
Medicare [Part B] only
However, a claimant who is entitled to monthly RSI benefits cannot [emphasis added] withdraw HI [Medicare, Part A] coverage only since entitlement to HI [Medicare, Part A] is based on entitlement to monthly RSI benefits..."
Medicare Lawsuit - Brian Hall v. Kathleen Sebelius