Do I have to apply for Medicare if I am still working past 65?
Answered by 21 licensed agents
Answered by Angie Templin on May 9, 2025
Broker Licensed in TX
Answered by Tony Capraro III on June 4, 2025
Agent Licensed in NH & ME
Answered by Gary Church on May 23, 2025
Broker Licensed in Ca, AZ, NV & TX
Paul Potter
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Answered by Paul Potter on May 9, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL
Answered by Alondra Arce on May 9, 2025
Agent Licensed in CA, AL, AR & 14 other states
Read more about trial rights below
Trial Right 1:
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When you enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan for the first time when you turn 65, you have 12 months to switch back to Original Medicare with a Medigap policy.
Trial Right 2:
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If you switch from a Medigap policy to a Medicare Advantage plan, and then later decide you want to go back to Original Medicare, you have 12 months to do so.
Answered by ***Medicare Melanie*** on May 10, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL & GA
Answered by Esther Miller on June 16, 2025
Agent Licensed in WA
Answered by Deborah Lee on May 26, 2025
Broker Licensed in WI, FL, IA & MN
If you work for a small employer with less than 20 employees, Medicare will become your Primary coverage once you’re eligible and your plan at work will only pay what Medicare does not cover - usually deductibles and the 20% coinsurance. Some employer plans will only pay the secondary portion even if you never signed-up for Medicare, and that would potentially leave you responsible for 80% of the bill on your own if you have not signed-up for Medicare Parts A & B.
If you have an HSA that you or your employer puts money into, you must stop adding money to that account once you’re eligible and have Medicare - even if you only have Medicare Part A. For this reason, you might choose to delay enrollment into Medicare.
If you are paying a part of the premium for your health plan at work or if you have a high deductible, you may want to take Medicare instead of your coverage at work. It may cost less and/or cover more.
There are so many different scenarios that require careful consideration when you work past age 65 and become eligible for Medicare. You should speak with an expert before making decisions to be sure you’re doing everything correctly for the outcomes you want and to avoid penalties later.
Answered by Barbara Barnes, CMIP® on June 9, 2025
Agent Licensed in PA
Answered by Jeremy Purse on May 28, 2025
Broker Licensed in CA, AL, AZ & 5 other states
Answered by Andrew Kramer on May 9, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL
If you’ve worked at least 10 years (that’s 40 quarters), Part A usually kicks in automatically the month you turn 65.
You can hold off on Part B if you’re still working and have credible coverage through your employer — but keep in mind, employer coverage is often more expensive than Medicare. I always do a comparison for my clients to see what actually makes the most sense financially.
If you don’t have employer coverage or any other creditable coverage, it’s important to enroll in Medicare at 65 — otherwise, you could face lifetime penalties.
When you’re ready to retire, I always recommend working with a broker (like me!) to help you apply for Part B. There are forms that need to be filled out and sent to Social Security, and I help walk my clients through that step-by-step — no cost to you.
Once you’ve got Part B in place, I can help you compare all the Medicare plan options in your area and get you enrolled in a plan that fits your needs and budget.
Working with a broker gives you peace of mind — not just when you first enroll in Medicare, but every year after that.
Hope this helps.
Be Well,
Toni Chavez
Medicare Broker
Answered by Toni Chavez on June 9, 2025
Broker Licensed in AZ, CA, NM, NV & UT
Answered by Gary Haft on May 26, 2025
Agent Licensed in FL, AL, DC & 9 other states
Answered by Douglas Carney on May 10, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL, GA, NC, OK & TX
Answered by Sophia Davis on June 9, 2025
Broker Licensed in OH & PA
If you will continue to have employer coverage or another form of insurance when you turn 65, confirm that it is considered "creditable coverage" by Medicare standards. Having creditable coverage allows you to delay enrolling in Part B without incurring a late enrollment penalty once your other coverage ends.
Answered by Hector Vazquez on May 9, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL & TX
Answered by Gabrielle Sones on May 13, 2025
Broker Licensed in TX, AZ, FL & 7 other states
You may delay Medicare Part B (and Part D) without penalty if:
You have credible coverage through your or your spouse’s current employer
The employer has 20 or more employees
In this case:
You do not need to enroll in Part B at 65.
You can enroll later using a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) when you retire or lose group coverage.
Answered by Curtis Stoner on May 9, 2025
Broker Licensed in TN, KY & LA
Answered by Silvana Peacock on May 27, 2025
Broker Licensed in FL, MI, NC, NJ, SC & VA
Answered by Destin Marks on May 21, 2025
Broker Licensed in TX, AR, LA, MI & MO
Are you working for a large employer or a small employer? Let’s break it down:
If you’re turning 65 and covered by a large employer’s health plan (with 20 or more employees), your group health plan will remain your primary coverage, while Medicare takes a secondary role. In this scenario, enrolling in Medicare Part A or Part B may not be necessary.
However, many people choose to enroll in Part A since it typically doesn’t have a monthly premium if you’re eligible. I recommend holding off on Part B, as it does come with a monthly premium. There’s no need to pay for both your group plan and Part B when your group plan is already taking care of your primary coverage. Instead, you can enroll in Part B later, such as when you retire or leave your group plan, without incurring a penalty because your group coverage qualifies as creditable employment-based insurance.
Now, let’s look at the situation if your employer has fewer than 20 employees. In this case, Medicare becomes your primary insurance, and your group health plan shifts to secondary coverage. This means you’ll need to enroll in both Part A and Part B to maintain full coverage.
Understanding how Medicare coordinates with your employer’s health plan is essential for making the right choice and avoiding unnecessary expenses.
Answered by Susan Diamond on June 16, 2025
Broker Licensed in NY
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