In NC, I’m on my husband’s active employer plan with 20+ employees. Since it’s credible coverage, can I delay Medicare, including Part D?

Question

Trever Dahms · Accepted Answer

Yes, since your husband's employer plan covers 20+ employees, it counts as creditable coverage for both Medicare and Part D. So you can delay enrolling in Part A, Part B, and Part D without a late enrollment penalty as long as that coverage stays in place. Once the employer coverage ends, you'll get an 8-month Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Part A and B, and a separate 2-month window to enroll in a Part D or Medicare Advantage plan with drug coverage

Answered by Trever Dahms on June 30, 2026

Broker Licensed in FL, NC, SC & WI

Answered by Trever Dahms Medicare Insurance Agent

Kristina Guerry · Answer

As long as your husband's employer coverage is considered creditable coverage, you can delay enrolling into Medicare, including Part D. One to two months prior to coming off of his coverage, you should have a conversation with a broker on how to enroll, when, and what your options are. Keep in mind, for Part B and Part D, you will need to have proof that you had creditable coverage since you were 65.

Answered by Kristina Guerry on June 30, 2026

Broker Licensed in SC, AL, AR & 45 other states

Answered by Kristina Guerry Medicare Insurance Agent

Victor Gerber · Answer

Yes, you can safely delay your Medicare enrollment, including Part D, without facing any late enrollment penalties. When his employment ends/health coverage ends, you will trigger a Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Medicare and any supplementary plans penalty-free.

Answered by Victor Gerber on June 30, 2026

Broker Licensed in OH, MI, NC & SC

Answered by Victor Gerber Medicare Insurance Agent

Tom Goldtrap · Answer

You can delay Medicare part B since you have creditable coverage and will not be subject to a penalty. 

I would suggest you go ahead and enroll in Medicare part A because there is no premium for most people and it will coordinate with your other coverage.

Voss Speros · Answer

Voss Speros here. Greek god of Medicare. If Medicare is all Greek to you, you're in luck, I'm Greek. Just got another hat, just trying it out. Speros Financial Group.

So the question that came in today is: I'm on my husband's employer plan and they have 20 or 20 plus employees. Since it's creditable coverage, can I delay Part D? D as in dog, D as in drugs.

Yes, the answer to that question is yes. If you have creditable coverage, you or your husband's creditable coverage through an employer plan with 20 or more employees, yes, you can delay your Part B and in doing so delay your Part D as well.

That's pretty cut and dry. So when you get done with your husband's plan, go on Part B and then do Part D. There's no penalties for delaying at that point.

If you have any questions, let us know.

Veronica Giron · Answer

As long as the employers coverage is considered creditable you can delay Medicare and Part D  to avoid any late enrollment penalty

Kim Humphries · Answer

Yes, you can delay as long as you stay on his plan and his is employed.  You should compare your cost options and see if it would be cheaper to go on Medicare.