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Medicare Options When You’re Working Past 65

Most Texans are eligible for Medicare when they turn 65, but not everyone signs up for coverage right away. If you or your spouse keep working past 65, you may choose to keep your employer-provided health insurance instead of moving over to Medicare. In many situations, this option lets you keep your familiar plan without risking future Medicare eligibility. However, not this isn’t the case for everyone. Learn more about your Medicare Options when you’re working past 65.

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Do I Have To Sign Up For Medicare When I Turn 65?

Most people become eligible for Texas Medicare on their 65th birthday. You can sign up for Medicare when you turn 65, but you don’t always have to enroll right away. If you or your spouse have health insurance through one of your jobs, you may be able to keep this coverage for as long as you continue to work. It all depends on how many people are employed in your company, plus how you get your insurance.

Here are some common situations that impact when you should sign up for Medicare.

You’re self-employed, or your employer’s health insurance isn’t available to everyone at work. 

This coverage may not qualify as an employer group health plan. Your insurance company will be able to confirm whether this is the case. If your coverage doesn’t count as employer group coverage, you should sign up for Medicare when you turn 65.

Your company employs less than 20 people. 

Check with your employer. You might need to sign up for Medicare when you turn 65 to avoid coverage gaps.

You have COBRA coverage. 

Sign up for Medicare when you turn 65 to avoid gaps in coverage. COBRA usually ends when you enroll in Medicare.

If you fit one of these situations, it’s important to enroll in Medicare when you turn 65. You could face coverage gaps as well as penalties for not signing up on time. 

Old person celebrating birthday

When Can I Sign Up For Medicare If I Keep My Employer Coverage?

If you keep your employer coverage when you turn 65, you can still sign up for Medicare later. Your Initial Enrollment Period is the first chance most people have to sign up for Medicare. This period starts three months before your 65th birthday month, includes your birthday month, and extends three more months are your birthday. 

People who work past 65 can sign up for Medicare when they retire or lose their employer’s health insurance. In this case, you can sign up during a Special Enrollment Period. You have 8 months to sign up for Medicare after losing your employer coverage. You won’t face any late enrollment penalties if you sign up during this Special Enrollment Period.

asian-couple-walking

Can I Have Medicare And Employer Insurance?

Yes, some people qualify to have both Medicare and employer insurance coverage. You can sign up for Medicare Part A and Part B if you or your spouse also have group health insurance through an employer. 

It’s important to know who pays first when you have more than one insurance provider. There are some cases when Medicare pays first and others when your employer’s insurance pays first. Here are some general guidelines for combining coverage.

You’re still working and your job employs less than 20 people.

Medicare Part A and Part B pay first and your employer’s insurance pays second. Your small employer’s insurance might not cover you past the age of 65, so it’s important to sign up for Medicare when you’re eligible.

You’re still working and your job employs more than 20 people.

Your employer’s insurance pays first and Medicare pays second. If you don’t pay a premium for Part A, you can sign up for Medicare any time after you turn 65. You also won’t pay a late enrollment penalty for Part B if you sign up after losing your employer’s coverage. 

You’re still working and receive a stipend for insurance, or don’t have coverage through your job. 

Medicare doesn’t work with your employer’s insurance in these cases. Medicare will pay first if you keep dual coverage. You should ask your insurance company if you need to sign up for Medicare when you turn 65. 

Figuring out which insurance pays first can be confusing. You can always reach out to the experts at Coverage2Care to learn more about your options when you’re working past 65. 

Senior Couple Talking With A Consultant

What About Medicare Part D Coverage After Age 65?

Medicare Part D is drug coverage. You can sign up for Part D when you sign up for either Part A or Part B. You can also enroll in Part D or Medicare Advantage for drug coverage when you still have employer insurance.

It’s essential to keep prescription drug coverage to make sure you’re eligible for Part D in the future. Don’t go 63 days or more without some form of creditable drug coverage. Medicare is considered creditable coverage. Your employer’s insurance will be able to tell you if their plan is creditable or not. 

Couple with birthday cake

Learn More About Medicare And Working Past 65

There are many reasons why people keep working past 65. If you or your spouse have insurance through your employer, you might want to keep this coverage until you retire. This doesn’t impact your Medicare eligibility in some cases, but you should carefully confirm your situation before making a decision. Coverage2Care can help you explore all your options and uncover the best choice for you.

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