Can my employer force me to take Medicare when I turn 65?

Question

Cheri Rogers · Accepted Answer

If your employer has less than 20 employees it has the right to have you enroll in Medicare. Once you turn 65 the cost of insurance to a small group of employees can be unafordable for a small business.

Answered by Cheri Rogers on June 22, 2026

Broker Licensed in NM & TX

Answered by Cheri Rogers Medicare Insurance Agent

Anthony Mendez · Answer

If you work at a larger company (20 employees or more) you can delay enrollment in Medicare part B without penalty when you become eligible. Smaller companies with normally less than 20 employees, Medicare becomes the primary insurance. That means enrollment in Original Medicare is necessary to have health insurance coverage. Your employer cant "force" you to do anything, but if you work for a small company, its wise to sign up for Original Medicare.

Answered by Anthony Mendez on June 22, 2026

Broker Licensed in AZ, CA, FL & IA, NE, NV & TX

Answered by Anthony Mendez Medicare Insurance Agent

Tamela Clayton · Answer

No.  Your employer can not force you to take Medicare when you turn 65.  

It is important to keep in mind the following:
You can delay enrollment into Medicare as long as you have other creditable coverage.  If you do not enroll when you are first eligible - and you do not have other creditable coverage, you may be subject to a late enrollment penalty - if/when you do decide to enroll.  That late enrollment penalty will be attached to your monthly premium for as long as you have Medicare.

Uchennah Okafor · Answer

If your employer employs 20 or more people they can not force you and are obligated to provide the same coverages to seniors as the privide for younger employees. However employers with less than 20 employees can make one take medicare as primary coverage while the employer's can be secondary.

Answered by Uchennah Okafor on June 22, 2026

Agent Licensed in TX

Answered by Uchennah Okafor Medicare Insurance Agent

Grant Hamilton · Answer

It depends on your individual situation, which feels like a bit of a cop-out.  If your employer is considered a small employer (less than 20 employees) they can force you to enroll in Medicare.  Smaller employers do not have to operate by the same federal rules as larger companies.  Medicare Part A & B will become your primary coverage.

If your employer is over 20 people, the employer cannot legally force you to enroll into Medicare.  People with larger employers have three choices for their insurance.  First, just stay on your employers plan.  You can delay Medicare without penalty but make sure to notify Social Security of your intent to delay.  The second option is to enroll in Medicare Part A, defer Part B, and stay on your employer coverage.  Last, you could drop the employer plan and enroll in Medicare Part A&B.  

Make sure and review your options with your employer's HR department to verify you are taking are taking a correct action.  They may even be able refer you to a Medicare agent that can review Advantage and Supplement Options.

if you defer Medicare you can visit the Social Security website at this link:  https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up/part-b-only.  If you don't like doing things online, you can call SSA directly for assistance at 1-800-772-1213.

Jennifer Milton · Answer

If your employer has 20 or less employees, you are not required to sign up for Medicare as long as you have employer sponsored health insurance. If your employer has 20 or more employees, you can choose to keep your employer plan and delay Medicare enrollment.

Answered by Jennifer Milton on June 22, 2026

Broker Licensed in TX

Answered by Jennifer Milton Medicare Insurance Agent

Christopher Cunningham · Answer

Better question is if your work insurance isn’t free with Zero out of pocket. Medicare is far more superior in coverage and out of pocket limits

Beverly Felchlin · Answer

If you work for an employer that have fewer than 20 employees, your employer can require you to enroll in Medicare parts A&B in which case Medicare becomes primary and your employers plan becomes secondary

Answered by Beverly Felchlin on June 22, 2026

Agent Licensed in IL, AL, FL & 6 other states

Answered by Beverly Felchlin Medicare Insurance Agent

Can my employer force me to take Medicare when I turn 65?

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Can my employer force me to take Medicare when I turn 65?

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