Men find roadblock to opting out of Medicare

WASHINGTON (AP) — Three men who say they have adequate health coverage and enough money to pay for their health care needs want to opt out of hospital coverage under Medicare. Federal rules say they cannot collect Social Security benefits if they do that. Their goal is to save taxpayer money by voluntarily forgoing Medicare. Their challenge to that policy is coming in a lawsuit expected to be filed Thursday in federal court. It would not cost them anything to participate in Medicare Part A, which covers care delivered at the hospital. Medicare participants pay a deductible of $1,024 if admitted to the hospital. There is no monthly charge, so it would seem prudent for the vast majority of older people to maintain enrollment in Medicare Part A. But people who want out say they have a good relationship with their doctors and can... [read full story]