Am I eligible for a Special Enrollment Period if I lose employer coverage?

Question

Sean Davis · Accepted Answer

Yes, you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if you lose your employer health coverage. This SEP typically lasts for 8 months following the loss of your coverage, allowing you to enroll in Medicare without facing penalties. It’s important to inform Medicare of your loss of coverage to ensure a smooth enrollment process.

Answered by Linda Davies on May 22, 2025

Broker Licensed in IL

Answered by Linda Davies Medicare Insurance Agent

Larry Dalton · Answer

Yes, an agent should always look into areas where you may qualify for special enrollment periods (SEP), which are given throughout the year and taken away. SEP varies from state to state and from circumstance to circumstance. Again, a trustworthy agent can explain this in detail.

Answered by Larry Dalton on March 26, 2025

Broker Licensed in OK & TX

Answered by Larry Dalton Medicare Insurance Agent

Charise Karjala · Answer

Yes absolutely. There's no need to use COBRA. You can activate your part B premiums if you are over 65 and then be in a plan very quickly. Please don't overspend on COBRA, except under certain circumstances.

Answered by Charise Karjala on March 31, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA, AZ, CO, PA & WA

Answered by Charise Karjala Medicare Insurance Agent

William Lawler · Answer

Yes. When you lose health coverage through your employer, you have 60 days to enroll in Medicare Part B and choose either a Medicare Advantage plan or a Medigap plan.

Mark Maliwauki · Answer

Yes. Losing employer coverage qualifies as a special enrollment period. You have 63 days to get your new coverage in place.

Misty Bolt · Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/am-i-eligible-for-a-special-enrollment-period-if-i-lose-employer-coverage#misty-bolt

Joseph Bachmeier · Answer

You do fall into a Special Enrollment period. You will have 60-days to choose Original Medicare with a Part D drug plan or enroll into a Medicare Advantage plan.

Christopher Boyd · Answer

Current Medicare rules allow a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) when someone loses creditable group coverage and is 65 or over in most states. This entitles the retiree to enroll into Parts A, B, C, and/or D. In most cases, the senior will be required to the pay the entire Part B and/or Part D monthly premiums at that time and for the rest of their retirement.

Answered by Christopher Boyd on March 4, 2025

Agent Licensed in IN, KY, MI, OH, PA & TN

Answered by Christopher Boyd Medicare Insurance Agent

Amy Putrino · Answer

Most likely, yes. If your employer coverage was creditable and provided prescribtion drug coverage. You may have to apply for Medicare Part B, and have to work with a set timeline to apply for a Medicare plan.

Answered by Amy Putrino on March 25, 2025

Agent Licensed in RI, CT, FL & 11 other states

Answered by Amy Putrino Medicare Insurance Agent

Dutch VanHoesen · Answer

Yes there is an 8-month period between losing your employer coverage to get into a Medicare Advantage plan or prescription drug plan. Cobra coverage does not count as it is not creditable coverage according to Medicare.

Answered by Dutch VanHoesen on March 27, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL

Answered by Dutch VanHoesen Medicare Insurance Agent

Voss Speros · Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/am-i-eligible-for-a-special-enrollment-period-if-i-lose-employer-coverage#voss-speros

Thomas Ashton · Answer

If you loose employer coverage, yo are eligible for a Special Election Period. You have a 2 month window to sign up.

Jason Hark, CMIS™ · Answer

Yep, if you lose your employer health coverage, you get what's called a Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Medicare without any penalties. That period usually lasts about eight months, startin’ the month after your coverage ends, so you’ve got plenty of time to get on board with Part A and Part B. It’s real important to sign up on time so you don’t end up with any gaps in coverage or extra fees later on.

Answered by Jason Hark, CMIS™ on June 4, 2025

Broker Licensed in IL, AL, AR & 16 other states

Answered by Jason Hark, CMIS™ Medicare Insurance Agent

Mitch Anderson · Answer

The short answer is "yes". Generally, when someone loses employer coverage they qualify for a Special Enrollment Period that allows them to get into a Medicare plan with no questions asked. The qualifier is that the employer coverage is "creditable". This means that the employer coverage is at least as good as Medicare's coverage. This information is provided by the group insurance provider and your human resources director should be able to answer this question for you.

Answered by Mitch Anderson on March 25, 2025

Agent Licensed in MN, IA & WI

Answered by Mitch Anderson Medicare Insurance Agent

Karen Boudreaux · Answer

Yes your entitled to special election 
Period if you move, lose your employer coverage.
Weather disaster,, etc.

Pamela Camey · Answer

If you lose creditable employer or union healthcare coverage, you will qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP) to enroll in Medicare Parts, A, B, C, or D, which allows you to join or switch plans outside regular enrollment periods

Answered by Pamela Camey on March 28, 2025

Broker Licensed in IL, FL, IA & 7 other states

Answered by Pamela Camey Medicare Insurance Agent

Sandra Teel · Answer

Yes.  If you are losing your employers insurance, whether you are retiring or losing your coverage for other reasons, it opens up a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) of time for you to get onto Medicare.
Please note that COBRA coverage is not considered credible coverage by Medicare, so you will still need to apply for Medicare if you are offered Cobra. 

Once your employer coverage ends, or your COBRA coverage begins there is a limited time you have to get your Medicare coverage before you will be penalized.  

Please reach out to a professional Medicare Broker so they can help navigate you through the process.

Justin Lucas · Answer

Yes you have a Special Enrollment Period if you lose employer coverage. In the state of Indiana you have to find out if it is involuntary or voluntary. That can play a role in if you chose a Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage.

Answered by Justin Lucas on May 8, 2025

Broker Licensed in IN, FL, IA & 11 other states

Answered by Justin Lucas Medicare Insurance Agent

William Kravit · Answer

Generally yes. That is considered a life-changing event which creates an opportunity to enroll in Medicare without any late enrollment penalties, and cascading from Medicare enrollment is the guaranteed enrollment into any Medicare plan such as a supplement or Advantage plan.

Answered by William Kravit on March 25, 2025

Agent Licensed in WI, AZ, CO & 9 other states

Answered by William Kravit Medicare Insurance Agent

Frank Buonomo · Answer

Yes, you are in a Special Enrollment Period if you lose employer coverage. You must enroll in Medicare withing 60 days of losing your coverage. You may also be eligible to a Special Election Period dure to other specific life events.

Answered by Frank Buonomo on March 25, 2025

Agent Licensed in NV, CA, NM & OR

Answered by Frank Buonomo Medicare Insurance Agent

Morris Johnson · Answer

Yes you are! You have a 63 days if you have Medicare part B. Three months if you need to enroll in Medicare part B .

Steven Bleicher · Answer

Yes. Losing a job occurs at any time of the year. Therefore, you can acquire another healthcare plan depending on your age. If you are too young to enroll with Medicare, you can apply to the Affordable Care Act. Often times, you can qualify for an ACA subsidy when you have submitted your financial picture. Then when you find a new job, the new employer will include their medical plan once you have worked there for a minimum of 3 to 6 months.

Answered by Steven Bleicher on May 25, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Steven Bleicher Medicare Insurance Agent

Gregg Matheny · Answer

Yes that’s a great example of a “special election period”. Most brokers will refer to this as an LEC. Although Medicare does give you a few months to get onto a new plan, I think it’s best to not go “uncovered” for any period of time. If you coordinate with the broker, they can usually make this process very seamless.

Answered by Gregg Matheny on March 26, 2025

Agent Licensed in AZ & UT

Answered by Gregg Matheny Medicare Insurance Agent

Michael Pyers · Answer

Yes. As long as you had creditable coverage that ended.  You have 60 days to elect Medicare.  At which time you could enroll in an Advantage Plan, Medigap plan and Part D Plan.

John L Herman Jr · Answer

YES...and the choices you make next will determine the right Health Care for your future. A SEP allows you to change directions even though you are outside of the Annual Election Period...and SEP's come from a variety of life changes that open up opportunities...so....consult an Independent Broker who specializes in MEDICARE.

Answered by John L Herman Jr on March 25, 2025

Broker Licensed in MD, DE & PA

Answered by John L Herman Jr Medicare Insurance Agent

Steve Houchens · Answer

Yes, if you lose employer-sponsored health coverage, you qualify for an 8-month Medicare Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to enroll in Medicare Part A and/or Part B, or to switch to a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.

Answered by Steve Houchens on April 2, 2025

Agent Licensed in KY & TN

Answered by Steve Houchens Medicare Insurance Agent

Gretchen Morris · Answer

Yes if you lose coverage you can enroll after the age of 65. This can be due to retiring for example.

Lea Ayres · Answer

Yes, If you lose your job-based health coverage, you have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to sign up for Medicare. This period starts the month after your employment or employer-sponsored health insurance ends, whichever comes first.

Answered by Lea Ayres on March 12, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, CT, MD & 8 other states

Answered by Lea Ayres Medicare Insurance Agent

Jim Willis · Answer

Yes you are 
Loss of employer coverage is one of the standard SEP‘s. You have to get signed up rather quickly, preferably within 30 days after losing your employer coverage.

Comfort Olude · Answer

Yes, you are eligible for a Special Enrollment Period if you lose 
employer-sponsored health coverage. 
You are eligible for an 8-month Special Enrollment Period to enroll in Medicare Part B, or to make changes to your Medicare Advantage or Part D plan.

Brenda Trejos · Answer

Yes, most likely.  There are certain rules to follow but if you work for an Employer with more than 20 employees (Not kidding...  This is a CMS rule), then while you're at that Employer you have "credible coverage" through your work.   This means you will not face any penalty when you start Medicare after you're 65+ years old. Now, you will have to have a form filled out by your Employer confirming that you've had coverage before you apply for Medicare. (Form CMS L564) You submit this signed form with your Application for Part B of Medicare.  
In summary, when you end employment (voluntarily or not)after you're 65 and 3 months old, you can apply for Medicare through a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) and start the following month on the 1st of the month. 
I recommend reaching our with any further questions to a Licensed Broker/Agent to guide you through the process.

Sergio Valenzuela · Answer

Yes, usually to enroll into Medicare you have Enrollments Periods, if for some reason you missed your Initial Enrollment Period when you turned 65 or if you delayed part B, then you have a Special Enrollment Period when you lose employer coverage, the window is 8 months to enroll into Medicare part A and/or B and 2 months for Medicare Advantage Plans.

Answered by Sergio Valenzuela on March 18, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ, CA, FL & MI, OH, SC & TX

Answered by Sergio Valenzuela Medicare Insurance Agent

Jennifer Stark · Answer

Yes you are. It’s loss of group coverage .
It’s a special enrollment period for people who are retiring and losing group coverage.

Anel Perez · Answer

Yes your are! You only have a two month period to enroll into a Medicare part C part D, prescription drug plan.

Fred Manas · Answer

You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period if you've had certain life events:
losing health coverage, 
moving, 
getting married, 
having a baby, 
adopting a child, 
if your household income is below a certain amount.

Gary Henderson · Answer

Yes, you have to enroll within 63 days of losing coverage to qualify 
If you missed that 63-day. You will not be able to sign up for Medicare until the next January of the next year

Vachik Chakhbazian · Answer

Yes, you are generally eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if you lose your employer-sponsored health insurance coverage.

Marcie Barnes · Answer

Yes you will be eligible for loss of credible coverage special enrollment period.  You have 60 days from the date of loss to enroll.

Carol Thompson · Answer

Yes - usually lost of employer coverage is a SEP options, however I always check thoroughly with each carrier.

Andrew Kramer · Answer

Yes. You have an 8 month period to apply for Medicare Part B. But you only have a 2 month period after losing employer coverage to enroll in either a Medicare Advantage plan which includes Part D coverage, or a supplement to Medicare and a stand alone Part D plan. If you have a gap for more than 63 days from your loss of employer coverage, and enrolling in either of those, you will incur the LEP, known as the Part D late enrollment penalty. I tell my clients who are planning to retire, or drop employer coverage, to apply for Medicare Part B 2 months, before to avoid the LEP.

Answered by Andrew Kramer on June 6, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL

Answered by Andrew Kramer Medicare Insurance Agent

Linda Davies · Answer

Yes, you may be eligible for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) if you lose your employer health coverage. This SEP typically lasts for 8 months following the loss of your coverage, allowing you to enroll in Medicare without facing penalties. It’s important to inform Medicare of your loss of coverage to ensure a smooth enrollment process.

Answered by Linda Davies on May 22, 2025

Broker Licensed in IL

Melanie Blackston · Answer

Yes, Loss of your employer health insurance is considered a qualifying life event that will trigger a Special Enrollment Period, allowing you to enroll in a new health insurance plan outside of the regular Open Enrollment Period.

Answered by Melanie Blackston on May 28, 2025

Broker Licensed in SC, GA & NC

Answered by Melanie Blackston Medicare Insurance Agent

Mark Mabaquiao · Answer

Yes, you have a couple Special Enrollment Periods (SEP) to consider when losing employer (ER) coverage.

The first type of SEP is called the Part B SEP (B SEP). This time period allows you to enroll in Medicare Part B without paying a late enrollment penalty. The B SEP lasts for eight months after you lose the ER coverage.

The second type of SEP allows you to enroll in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan or a stand-alone prescription drug plan (PDP). This period lasts for 2 full months after the month your ER coverage ends.

Most folks do not want a break in benefits after they have lost their ER coverage. In this case, we can work on making sure your Part B and MA or PDP plan begins the day after your ER coverage ends.

Nina Besant · Answer

Yes you are eligible for a Special Enrollment Period when you lose your employer coverage! You would need your employer to complete the L564 form and then you'd submit that along with your medicare application to Social Security to start Medicare.

Answered by Nina Besant on May 26, 2025

Broker Licensed in CO, AZ, FL & 7 other states

Answered by Nina Besant Medicare Insurance Agent

Sean Krause · Answer

You would be eligible for a special election period if you lost employer coverage, changed locations of residence or other changes in your life occurred. You may also be eligible if disasters prevented you from making changes in an eligible enrollment period.

Answered by Sean Krause on April 25, 2025

Broker Licensed in TN

Answered by Sean Krause Medicare Insurance Agent

Daniel Young · Answer

if you lose your employer's health coverage it does open up a SEP so
you can enroll in a Medicare plan at that time.

Am I eligible for a Special Enrollment Period if I lose employer coverage?

Agents: Share Your Expertise

Seniors: Ask a Question of Your Own

Related Questions

Agent Locator

Medicare Agents Hub
A non-government resource website

Am I eligible for a Special Enrollment Period if I lose employer coverage?

Agents: Share Your Expertise

Seniors: Ask a Question of Your Own

Related Questions

Agent Locator

Medicare Agents HubA non-government resource website

Medicare Agents Hub
A non-government resource website