Learn how Medicare works, understand your enrollment options, compare Medicare Supplement and Medicare Advantage plans, and gain confidence as you approach age 65.
Working Past 65? Don’t Make This Medicare Enrollment Mistake
Many people assume that if they are still working after age 65, they can simply delay Medicare and enroll later when they retire.
Sometimes that is true.
Sometimes it is not.
The difference often comes down to the size of your employer and whether your current health insurance is considered creditable coverage under Medicare rules.
Unfortunately, many people discover the problem only after a major medical event occurs.
Why Employer Size Matters
One of the most misunderstood Medicare rules involves employer group health plans.
If you work for a larger employer, you may be able to delay Medicare Part B without facing penalties or coverage issues.
However, if you work for a smaller employer, Medicare may become your primary insurance once you turn 65.
When that happens, failing to enroll in Medicare Part B could leave significant gaps in your coverage.
Many people never realize this because they continue carrying their employer insurance card and assume they are fully protected.
What Happens If Medicare Should Have Been Primary?
Imagine you have surgery, a hospital stay, chemotherapy treatment, or another major medical event.
Your employer plan processes the claim and determines that Medicare should have been your primary payer.
If Medicare was never activated because you delayed enrollment, the claim may not be paid the way you expected.
This can leave you responsible for expenses that you thought were covered.
The result is often confusion, frustration, and unexpected medical bills.
Medicare Enrollment Rules Are Not One-Size-Fits-All
Every situation is different.
Factors that can affect your Medicare enrollment decision include:
Whether you are actively working
The size of your employer
Whether you are covered under your spouse’s plan
If your coverage qualifies as creditable coverage
Whether you plan to continue working past age 65
When you expect to retire
Because of these variables, the advice that worked for a friend or coworker may not be the right advice for you.
Download The Medicare Enrollment Checklist
To help simplify the process, we’ve created a free Medicare Enrollment Checklist.
The checklist walks you through the key questions you should answer before deciding whether to enroll in Medicare Part A, Part B, or delay coverage.
Inside you’ll find guidance on:
Enrolling at age 65
Enrolling after age 65
Special Enrollment Periods
Employer coverage considerations
Avoiding Medicare late enrollment penalties
Important forms and enrollment deadlines
Download your free copy below and use it as a starting point for understanding your Medicare enrollment options.
A few minutes spent reviewing the checklist today could help you avoid costly mistakes later.
