Can you go on COBRA If you are Medicare eligible?

Asked by: Kavon Stiedemann  |  Last update: February 11, 2022
Score: 4.8/5 (45 votes)

If you have Medicare Part A or Part B when you become eligible for COBRA, you must be allowed to enroll in COBRA. Medicare is your primary insurance, and COBRA is secondary. You should keep Medicare because it is responsible for paying the majority of your health care costs.

Can I stay on COBRA after age 65?

Once someone reaches age 65, active enrollment in Medicare must occur by applying for this Social Security benefit. ... If an employee's spouse is on the plan with the employee but is not yet eligible for Medicare, the spouse would have the opportunity to continue coverage through COBRA.

How does COBRA and Medicare work together?

In this situation, Medicare is always primary to COBRA coverage. If you become entitled to Medicare after you've signed up for COBRA, your COBRA benefits cease. (But if COBRA covers your spouse and/or dependent children, their coverage may be extended for up to 36 months because you qualified for Medicare.)

Can you have Medicare and COBRA insurance at the same time?

If you become eligible and enroll in Medicare before COBRA, the good news is that you can have both. Taking COBRA is optional, and depending on your situation, you may or may not want to. If you do decide to take COBRA, do not drop your Medicare plan.

Who is not eligible for COBRA coverage?

The law generally applies to all group health plans maintained by private-sector employers with 20 or more employees, or by state or local governments. The law does not apply to plans sponsored by the Federal Government or by churches and certain church-related organizations.

Got COBRA? Here's How Medicare and COBRA Work When You're 65+

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Can COBRA be denied?

If the terminated employee was never an eligible plan participant, the employer can cancel coverage retroactive to the original coverage date. ... Under COBRA, a person who has been terminated for gross misconduct may be denied COBRA.

How do I know if I qualify for COBRA?

According to the Department of Labor, to qualify for COBRA you must fall under three conditions to be considered for coverage:
  1. You must have an event that qualifies you for COBRA coverage.
  2. COBRA must cover your group health plan.
  3. You must be a beneficiary that is qualified for the specific event.

Is COBRA always secondary to Medicare?

COBRA is always secondary to Medicare. This means that it only pays after Medicare pays. If you do not enroll in Medicare when you become eligible for it, it will be as if you have no insurance.

Is COBRA creditable coverage for Medicare Part B?

COBRA is not normally considered to be creditable coverage for Medicare major medical benefits, so people who are enrolled in COBRA and do not enroll in Medicare Part B within 8 months of turning 65 face substantial financial penalties for the rest of their lives, even if they have months or years left on their COBRA ...

Is COBRA considered creditable coverage for Medicare Part D?

Typically, COBRA is not creditable drug coverage for Part D. However, if your plan is an exception, you'll have a Special Enrollment Period to join a Part D plan without a penalty. ... If you have COBRA when coverage ends, you won't qualify for a Special Enrollment Period through Medicare.

Are retirees eligible for COBRA?

Retirees can use COBRA Insurance For 18 Months

Retirement is a qualifying event. When a qualified beneficiary retires from their job, the retired worker is entitled for up to 18 months health insurance continuation, which is the maximum amount of time an employee can keep COBRA continuation.

Does Medicare coverage start the month you turn 65?

The date your coverage starts depends on which month you sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period. ... If you qualify for Premium-free Part A: Your Part A coverage starts the month you turn 65. (If your birthday is on the first of the month, coverage starts the month before you turn 65.)

How long can you stay on COBRA if you retire?

When you do retire, you will probably have the option of continuing on your employer's health plan for at least 18 months, thanks to a federal law called the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA). It says that when you leave your job, your employer must let you keep your coverage for up to 18 months.

What plans are COBRA eligible?

COBRA generally applies to all group health plans maintained by private-sector employers (with at least 20 employees) or by state and local governments. The law does not apply, however, to plans sponsored by the Federal Government or by churches and certain church-related organizations.

Does COBRA include dental and vision?

With COBRA, you can continue the same coverage you had when you were employed. That includes medical, dental and vision plans. You cannot choose new coverage or change your plan to a different one. For example, if you had a medical plan and a dental plan, you can keep one or both of them.

Does COBRA coverage begin immediately?

How long does it take for COBRA to kick in? With all paperwork properly submitted, your COBRA coverage should begin on the first day of your qualifying event (for example, the first day you are no longer with your employer), ensuring no gaps in your coverage.

What are the 7 COBRA qualifying event?

The following are qualifying events: the death of the covered employee; a covered employee's termination of employment or reduction of the hours of employment; the covered employee becoming entitled to Medicare; divorce or legal separation from the covered employee; or a dependent child ceasing to be a dependent under ...

Who pays for COBRA after termination?

How much will I have to pay for continuation coverage? Under COBRA, the administrator is allowed to charge the terminated worker for the full cost to the employer of the monthly coverage plus a 2% administration fee.

How can I avoid paying COBRA?

If you want to avoid paying the COBRA cost, go with a short-term plan if you're waiting for approval on another health plan. Choose a Marketplace or independent plan for broader coverage. Choose a high-deductible plan to keep your costs low.

Can I use COBRA if I retire before 65?

COBRA lasts for 18 months after the employee has left the company and it can be extended in some cases. If retiring 18 months before becoming eligible for Medicare, this could be a great option for health insurance for an early retiree. COBRA allows you to keep your current insurance.

Can I keep my employer health insurance after I retire?

Can you continue your employer coverage after you retire? Generally, when you have retiree coverage from an employer or union, they control this coverage. Employers aren't required to provide retiree coverage, and they can change benefits, premiums, or even cancel coverage.

Is COBRA 18 months or 36 months?

When Federal COBRA ends, eligible employees can buy 18 months additional health coverage under Cal-COBRA. All qualified beneficiaries are generally eligible for continuation coverage for 36 months after the date the qualified beneficiary's benefits would otherwise have terminated.

Is it mandatory to go on Medicare when you turn 65?

Many people are working past age 65, so how does Medicare fit in? It is mandatory to sign up for Medicare Part A once you enroll in Social Security. The two are permanently linked. However, Medicare Parts B, C, and D are optional and you can delay enrollment if you have creditable coverage.

Do I need to contact Social Security when I turn 65?

If you aren't eligible for full Social Security retirement benefits at age 65, and you aren't getting Social Security benefits, you can still get your full Medicare benefits (including premium-free Part A) at age 65, but you must contact Social Security to sign up.