What if I am still working and have employer insurance at 65?

If your employer has 20 or more employees, your group plan is primary and Medicare is secondary. You can delay Parts B and D without penalty. Once your employment or coverage ends, you have 8 months to enroll in Part B under the Special Enrollment Period.

Does COBRA count as creditable coverage so I can delay Part B?

No. COBRA is not considered active employer coverage for Medicare purposes. If you leave your job and take COBRA, your Special Enrollment Period has already started. Enroll in Part B within 8 months of your employment ending, not when COBRA ends.

Can I enroll in Medicare before I turn 65?

Yes, if you have been receiving Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) for 24 months, or if you have ALS or end-stage renal disease. In those cases, Medicare enrollment is automatic or starts at an earlier age.

I missed my window. What now?

You can enroll during the General Enrollment Period, January 1 through March 31, with coverage starting July 1. You will likely owe a late enrollment penalty. Talk to a licensed insurance agent about your specific situation since some penalty waivers exist depending on circumstances.

Medicare 101

When to Sign Up for Medicare: Enrollment Periods

Medicare has strict enrollment windows. Knowing when to enroll in Medicare depends on your age, employment status, and existing coverage.

Initial Enrollment Period (IEP)

Your IEP is a 7-month window centered on your 65th birthday. It opens 3 months before the month you turn 65, includes your birthday month, and closes 3 months after. Enroll early in this window to avoid gaps in coverage. If you enroll in the last 3 months, your coverage may start up to 3 months late.

Special Enrollment Period (SEP)

If you or your spouse are still working at 65 and have employer-sponsored health insurance through an active employer, you can delay Medicare without penalty. Once that employment or coverage ends, you have an 8-month SEP to enroll in Part B without a late penalty. COBRA and retiree coverage do not qualify as creditable coverage for SEP purposes.

Questions about your Medicare options?

Talk to a licensed insurance agent, at no cost.

1-800-940-0633

Annual Enrollment Period (AEP)

AEP runs October 15 through December 7 each year. During this window you can switch Medicare Advantage plans, switch from Medicare Advantage to Original Medicare, join or change a Part D drug plan, or switch from Original Medicare to Medicare Advantage. Changes take effect January 1.

Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (OEP)

January 1 through March 31 each year. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can switch to a different Advantage plan or return to Original Medicare once during this period. You cannot use OEP to join a Medigap plan without medical underwriting.

Late enrollment penalties

Penalties are permanent and added to your monthly premium for as long as you have Medicare.

Part B penalty: 10% premium increase for each full 12-month period you were eligible but did not enroll without employer coverage.
Part D penalty: 1% of the national base beneficiary premium for each month without creditable drug coverage, rounded to the nearest $0.10.
Part A penalty: 10% premium surcharge for 2 years if you have to buy Part A and delayed enrollment.