Do I have to get Medicare if I have employer coverage?
Asked by: Maxie Stark | Last update: August 8, 2025Score: 4.6/5 (35 votes)
Should I enroll in Medicare if I have employer insurance?
You can certainly delay in and all of Medicare enrollment while working full time and enrolled in employer sponsored benefits, but to play it safe it is recommended to enroll in Medicare Part A, as for most people it does not come with a premium.
Can you decline employer health insurance and get Medicare?
You can sign up for Medicare and drop your employer health plan. Not the other way around because you'd need Medicare entitlement as a qualifying life event to cancel your employer health plan outside of open enrollment.
Do I need part B Medicare if I am still working?
You should apply for Medicare Part B around the time you leave work, assuming that you are working for a fairly large employer and have reasonably good health insurance from your employer.
What happens if you don't enroll in Medicare Part A at 65?
Part A late enrollment penalty
If you have to buy Part A, and you don't buy it when you're first eligible for Medicare, your monthly premium may go up 10%. You'll have to pay the penalty for twice the number of years you didn't sign up.
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Can I stay on my employer's insurance when I turn 65?
It depends on how you are receiving your current insurance. If you are receiving employer-sponsored health insurance through either your or your spouse's job when you turn 65, you may be able to keep your insurance until you (or your spouse) retire(s).
Does everyone have to pay $170 a month for Medicare?
Most people pay no premiums for Part A. For Medicare Part B in 2025, most beneficiaries will pay $185 per month. Certain factors may require you to pay more or less than the standard Medicare Part B premium in 2025.
Is it a good idea to get Medicare if you're still working at 65?
If your or your spouse's employer has 20 or more employees and a group health plan, you don't have to sign up for Medicare at 65. But if you get Medicare Part A for free, typically you should sign up. (After all, it's free.) In some cases, Medicare Part A may cover what your employer plan doesn't.
Is Medicare Part B mandatory at age 65?
1. If You Are Approaching or at Age 65. If you are approaching age 65 and you already receive Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits through early retirement, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A (hospital insurance) and B (medical insurance) when you turn 65.
Do you have to pay Medicare premiums if you are still working?
Most people qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A – if you've worked at least 10 years while paying Medicare taxes. Medicare Part B comes with a monthly premium, so you may choose to delay your Part B enrollment if you or your spouse are still working and have employer-based group coverage.
Can my employer force me to go on Medicare?
If you're insured under a plan from a company of that size, you have the option to enroll in Medicare and decline your group plan, but the employer can't force this decision.
Why would you decline Medicare Part B?
Some people do not take Part B during their Initial Enrollment Period (IEP) because they have primary insurance from their current employer or their spouse's current employer. The IEP is the first time you can sign up for Medicare.
Is Medicare secondary to employer insurance?
If you work for a larger company, your employer-based coverage will be your primary coverage and Medicare your secondary coverage. Either way, after both insurers have paid their part of your medical bill, you only pay the balance.
Is Medicare cheaper than employer insurance?
This is unique for every plan, but generally speaking, Medicare tends to provide more benefits than employer coverage at a lower cost. If you have a high-premium or high-deductible plan through your employer (or your spouse's employer), switching to Medicare may be more cost-effective.
Can I delay Medicare Part A if I am still working?
If you (or your spouse) have health insurance from a job:
If you or your spouse are still working, you may be able to wait to sign up for Medicare without paying a late enrollment penalty. Where you have group health insurance that's available to everyone at the company.
Is Medicare Part D mandatory?
Enrollment in Part D is generally voluntary, however, some people are required to be enrolled, and others should not enroll.
Can I choose not to have Medicare Part B?
Individuals already receiving Social Security or RRB benefits at least 4 months before being eligible for Medicare and residing in the United States (except residents of Puerto Rico) are automatically enrolled in both premium-free Part A and Part B. People who are automatically enrolled have the choice of whether they ...
Is there a penalty for not enrolling in Medicare Part B at age 65?
For each 12-month period you delay enrollment in Medicare Part B, you will have to pay a 10% Part B premium penalty, unless you have insurance based on your or your spouse's current work (job-based insurance) or are eligible for a Medicare Savings Program (MSP).
Can you stay on employer health insurance after 65?
You do not have to enroll in Medicare right away, and you can keep your current group health insurance. An individual will not receive a late penalty if they have coverage under a group health plan with 20 or more employees.
Can you have Medicare Part B and employer insurance at the same time?
Can I combine employer health insurance with Medicare? If you or your spouse are working and covered through an employer, you can also decide to keep this coverage and enroll in Original Medicare, Part A and/or Part B to get additional health coverage.
Can I avoid paying Medicare?
People who have to pay a premium for Part A may consider delaying enrollment to avoid the expense. Part A charges a penalty for late enrollment, though. An alternative in this case is to get a Marketplace plan instead of Medicare.
How much money can you have in the bank if you're on Medicare?
eligibility for Medi-Cal. For new Medi-Cal applications only, current asset limits are $130,000 for one person and $65,000 for each additional household member, up to 10. Starting on January 1, 2024, Medi-Cal applications will no longer ask for asset information.