I'm still working at 67, and I don't know if I need Part B. Why is something so basic so hard to figure out?

Question

John Stagner · Accepted Answer

Answering the first question first: it’s hard to figure out because the government wrote it! They don’t really understand how to make things simple.…

Here’s the quick rule about employer insurance after age 65: if your employer has 20 or more employees and you are covered by the employer’s insurance and still working, you can delay part B as long as you want with no concern about having a penalty later. The moment that you stop working for that employer or discontinue that insurance, that’s the time that you need to enroll into Medicare part B in order to avoid a penalty.

I always advise my clients to compare the costs and coverage of the employer plan versus Medicare so they can make an informed decision.

Gary Church · Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/m-still-working-at-67-and-i-dont-know-if-i-need-part-b-why-is-something-so-basic-so-hard-to-figure-out#gary-church

Steve and Sue Brauer · Answer

Hi, thanks for watching. So this question is, this person's 67, they're still working. They want to know if they need Part B, and they're asking why it's so hard to figure out. Well, honestly, Medicare's confusing. You may not need your Part B if you're still working, but you have to make sure if you're on the group health plan at work, on the employer plan, that it's what they call credible coverage. So once you turn 65, you have to be enrolled in an employer plan that has coverage that's as good or better than Medicare. That's how you figure out if it's credible coverage. If you have credible coverage, you can delay enrolling in your Part B until you leave your employment. Part A, on the other hand, is usually premium-free. If you've worked at least 10 years and you paid into the system, there's no premium for Part A. So when you turn 65, most times we will advise people to sign up for Part A, because now whatever plan you're on at work, you also have your Part A coverage with Medicare and you're doubly covered. And it's not costing anything each month. The only thing with Medicare that charges is Part B.

Mark Bilgere · Answer

Its hard to figure out because most people only have to do it once in their life and its part of the government bureaucracy.  Your question takes a little thought but it isn't too complicated. If you are still working, your employer has more then 20 employees and they offer you health insurance, you may keep that insurance and you do not have to enroll in Part B. Although, you can compare your company benefits to Medicare and chose the one that would work better for you. This is a nice option to have.

If your employer has 19 or fewer employees, you should enroll in Medicare Parts A and B.

Norman Smith · Answer

This is why people need to bring an agent into play. A good agent will walk you through you total expenditures of keeping your current employer provided healthcare and options, against what you could attain should you decide to drop their coverage and obtain your choice of Medicare.
Now the smart thing was you signed in for your Part A as a backup to your existing coverage. It’s what you put money into your whole working career, so take it, it costs you zero. 
Now depending on coverage and financial considerations, you simply need to do a total cost comparison. But keep in mind the government dropped the “F” plan after 1/1/2020, and your best option is a “G” now. How long before they drop that and make the “N” plan the best option for you? So you may want to consider that in your planning as well. 
If in FL or PA, I can help you.

William Lawler · Answer

Hello, still working at 67 and concerned about whether you need Part B? Well, if you have group health coverage through your employer, you do not need Part B until that coverage goes away, and then you have 60 days to enroll in Part B. But you're fine if you're covered by group health coverage. When you do decide to quit your job and move on, your group health insurance will most likely go away. That's the point where you will have to sign up for Part B. My name is Bill Lawler. If you need further help, have a great day.

Christopher Boyd · Answer

Yes, I understand your question. I have been helping seniors for 14 years with retirement planning and investments, and Medicare is not easily understood. Ensure you have your employer sign proper Medicare paperwork to ensure you do not pay a Late Enrollment Penalty for Parts B and D.

Answered by Christopher Boyd on December 20, 2025

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

Answered by Christopher Boyd Medicare Insurance Agent

Tony Capraro III · Answer

It seems hard but when you know the specifics you can make the right decision for you!
If you work for a company with 20 or more employees you can stay on that work plan until you retire and then get Part B!  Work with someone like me-who works with Medicare Planning every day for clients!  We give great information so folks can make good decisions!

Steven Graves · Answer

Medicare wasn’t designed with today’s working adults in mind. When it started, most people retired at 65. But now? Many folks work well past that, have employer coverage, and are stuck wondering:

“Do I still need Medicare Part B?”

“Will I be penalized if I wait?”

“Who pays first—Medicare or my job's insurance?”

And unfortunately, the answers depend on your exact situation, which is why the rules feel like a maze. Please consult a Medicare Agent in your area for advice on your specific situation.


Serving ALL of Texas, California & Florida

Lauren Fodde · Answer

You’re not alone — this is one of the most confusing parts of Medicare! Whether you need Part B at 67 really depends on your job’s health coverage. If your employer insurance is considered “creditable,” you may be able to delay Part B without penalty. If not, enrolling now could save you big costs later. That’s why it feels so tricky — the rules aren’t the same for everyone. My role is to sort through the details with you and make sure you don’t pay more than you have to.

Answered by Lauren Fodde on September 24, 2025

Broker Licensed in MO & FL

Answered by Lauren Fodde Medicare Insurance Agent

Tasha Riggs · Answer

So, Medicare question of the day. I'm still working at 67, and I don't know if I need Part B. Why is something so basic so hard to figure out? Again, I would say please consult your local broker. However, I would say with the majority of plans out there, with a few exceptions, if it was me, I'd probably go on Medicare. No, you don't need it if your company has a work insurance for you. However, I love Medicare coverage. I mean, where can you get a plan that has a $257 deductible and everything's covered 100%? I guarantee your work plan doesn't do that. So, I would heavily look at educating yourself on the difference between a Medicare supplement and a Medicare Advantage plan compared to your work plan. Look at all your doctors, all your drugs, compare everything. Because I think 90% of the time, you're going to find out that Medicare is probably far superior in coverage, with a few exceptions. But yes, if you're 67 and for any reason you want to keep your work plan, you don't have to buy Part B yet. The day you decide you want to quit working, you can get Part B, and then you can get a Medicare supplement or a Medicare Advantage plan. But my advice to you is to check it out early. Check out all your options. Just don't go in blind and keep your work plan. Look at all the options and make sure you're making the right choice for you. Thanks.

Steven Litzsinger · Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/m-still-working-at-67-and-i-dont-know-if-i-need-part-b-why-is-something-so-basic-so-hard-to-figure-out#steven-litzsinger

Mike Odle · Answer

Basically all you have to do is ask your group health insurance administrator if Part B is required for you to maintain your group health insurance. If not then you don't need Part B. With that said, you have to weigh all your options such as what the group health insurance plan is costing you and what the coverage is. It's quite possible it may be more beneficial for you to not have the group coverage at all and just use your Medicare.

Answered by Mike Odle on December 9, 2025

Broker Licensed in IN & IL

Answered by Mike Odle Medicare Insurance Agent

Daniel Maisel · Answer

This is Daniel Maisel, insurance solutions Dan, the Medicare man. Your question was a pretty good one. I understand that people complain all the time, "Why did they make it so hard to figure out Medicare?" you ask. I'm still working at 67, and I don't know if I need Part B.

Well, let me make it simple. If you have group insurance or some sort of insurance from work, it doesn't cost you a thing. Then you're probably better off just staying with your work insurance and not getting Medicare yet. When you start Medicare A, that's for your hospitalization. Normally, for most people, that costs nothing. So you can start your Part A as soon as you qualify for it at age 65.

Again, at the age of like myself, we work for you. We don't work for any insurance company. We're independent so that we can be nonpartial. I wouldn't make recommendations, but Part B is a different story. Part B usually has a charge. Part B is your doctor's portion of your Medicare. And that one, the government charges you about $164.90, which is what the amount is for 2026. That's based on your income. If you make a lot of money, if you're making two, three, or four hundred thousand a year, you'll pay more than that.

Again, it's taken out of your Social Security check. But if you have better care or medical insurance for you at work, why would you pay that? You don't need to. So better yet, contact an agent or broker. I'll be glad to help you if you wish. Just contact us, and we'll explain Medicare one-on-one. We'll make it real simple. That's what I'm known for—making Medicare simple. And then you can do whatever you want to do.

So I hope that helped. I wish you well, and have a great day!

Paula Duffy · Answer

Please check with a sales agent on your options.  You can delay your Part B as long as you have creditable coverage through an employer.

Amy Putrino · Answer

This should not be difficult at all, if you know what your employer plan covers and the costs. When contemplating leaving employer coverage, the a simple Medicare plan analysis that compares coverages, benefits and costs, will be key. You can then compare both options side by side and determine which plan is most beneficial for you.

Answered by Amy Putrino on October 6, 2025

Agent Licensed in RI, AZ, CT & 12 other states

Answered by Amy Putrino Medicare Insurance Agent

Rodney Powell · Answer

It usually comes down to whether you have "creditable coverage." That means:

•  You’re actively working for a company with 20 or more employees.

•  Your group health insurance is as good as, or better than, Medicare.

If so, you have options — you can stay with your group plan or move to Medicare — whatever works best for your needs.

Phillip Davis · Answer

If you are still on work insurance you don't necessarily need part B as long as your work coverage is considered creditable. This means it is at least as good as Medicare's standard coverage. However, depending on your coverage through work, Medicare may be a step up.

Answered by Phillip Davis on November 10, 2025

Broker Licensed in WV, AZ, FL & 5 other states

Answered by Phillip Davis Medicare Insurance Agent

Pamela Camey · Answer

You may be required to get Medicare Part B even when you are working.  There are situations in which you must obtain part B when you turn 65.

1) Your employer has less that 20 employees. Medicare becomes the primary payer, and you may be required to enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B, Your employer's health plan becomes the secondary coverage.  Employer Health group plans may not be able to provide you the same level of coverage as Medicare.

2) Employers with 20 or more employees, your employer's group health plan is considered primary payer.  This means you can generally delay enrolling in Part B until after you lose that coverage.

3) If you have health insurance coverage through a spouse's employer, you may also delay enrolling in Part B until you lose that coverage.

Coverage based on current employment does not include COBRA, retiree health coverage, VA benefits or individual coverage through the health insurance Marketplace.

Andrew Bennett · Answer

It's not hard.  If you have good insurance from your company that you are satisfied with then stay, there.  IF your coverage is too expensive or not good enough then move to Medicare.

What's "too expensive"? The least expensive thing in Medicare is going to be Medicare Advantage plans with a $0 premium.  Keep in mind you will still have to pay your Part B premium which is $185 here in 2025.  That's the "low end" of Medicare coverage.

The high end is the Part B premium ($185), Plus a G supplement (ballpark $150... prices can vary widely around the nation), a drug plan (PDP=Prescription Drug Plan) (ballpark $20... again prices can vary widely), and a dental plan (ballpark $40).  That gives you total monthly costs of $395.  

The high end is very good coverage with very little out of pocket when you get care each year.  It's the "Cadillac Plan" so to speak.  

If your company plan is more than $395 for you then you should really consider Medicare.  IF you have a spouse that relies on your company plan for good coverage at a reasonable monthly cost you may need to stay where you are at.

Jaime Valadez · Answer

It really depends if you currently have coverage through your employer. We would have to go over both plans and really see what makes the most sense for your situation. You would need to sit down with a broker . I would love to be able to help at no cost or commitment.

Answered by Jaime Valadez on May 11, 2026

Broker Licensed in IL & IN

Answered by Jaime Valadez Medicare Insurance Agent

Jeremy Purse · Answer

If you are still covered under an Employer Group Health Plan, you can delay your Part B until you retire or lose your health insurance. Once you know your insurance through your employer will be ending, apply for Part B and submit CMS Form L564 to prove to Medicare that you had credible coverage from the time you turned 65. This will help avoid a Part B Late Enrollment Penalty.

Answered by Jeremy Purse on May 13, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA, AL, AZ & 5 other states

Answered by Jeremy Purse Medicare Insurance Agent

Tina VanPhung · Answer

You’re not alone—this is one of the most confusing parts of Medicare! Whether you need Part B while you’re still working depends on your employer coverage.

Suppose your employer has 20 or more employees. In that case, you can delay Part B without penalty because your employer plan remains primary.

Suppose your employer has fewer than 20 employees. In that case, Medicare becomes primary, and you’ll want to enroll in Part B to avoid coverage gaps and late-enrollment penalties.

Also, check with your employer to confirm that your prescription drug coverage is “creditable.” 

That means it’s considered at least as good as Medicare Part D. If it’s not creditable and you delay enrolling in a Part D plan, you could face a lifetime penalty later.

When you retire or lose employer coverage, you’ll have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Part B (and Part D if needed) without penalty.

Kimi Oliveira · Answer

Dear Sir or Madam, 

it will depend on your financial situation as well as your personal scenario. A discussion helps determine the best time for you to personally decide when to retire and the steps involved after retirement.

Savannah Rose · Answer

If you have employer insurance, it depends on how your insurance works with Medicare. If you are 67 and haven't signed up for Part B, it's probably because you didn't need to get it when you turned 65 because your employer insurance was primary to Medicare. If you are paying out of pocket for your employer insurance, you should talk with an agent to do a cost analysis. A lot of times, Medicare is better and less expensive than employer insurance.

Answered by Savannah Rose on January 12, 2026

Agent Licensed in TX

Answered by Savannah Rose Medicare Insurance Agent

Steven Bleicher · Answer

Simply stated, if you feel that your employer's plan is working for you, then there is no need to even think about getting Part B yet. But when you retire or are separated from your firm, three months before that is when you'll have to do some investigating to determine the differences between the health insurance you had at your workplace vs. the usually better Medicare coverage. 

The only thing to do is the comparison between the Medigap (or a Med. Supplement) and the Medicare Advantage plan. The latter is free of premium (as it is govt-subsidized) but has a fairly steep deductible (around $3,000.00/year), while the Supplement has no high deductibles but DOES have a monthly premium. In either case, you will have to pay for Part B's monthly premium (this year, the least amount is $185.00/month) and if you picked a Medigap, there also is a much smaller premium usually for the Part D "Stand-Alone" Prescription Drug plan.

Andrew Zurbuch, MBA · Answer

You should compare & contrast your current health insurance coverage to enrolling in Medicare Part B & then picking a Medicare Advantage plan for comprehensive coverage. Medicare Insurance is not easy to figure out. You may find that Medicare Advantage coverage is the way to go for at least 2025 &/Or 2026. Please call a Broker for assistance.

Plans are insured or covered by a Medicare Advantage (HMO, PPO and PFFS) organization with a Medicare contract and/or a Medicare-approved Part D sponsor. Enrollment in the plan depends on the plan’s contract renewal with Medicare. We do not offer every plan available in your area. Any information we provide is limited to those plans we do offer in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE to get information on all of your options.

Steve Houchens · Answer

If you’re still working and have coverage from your employer you do not need part B until you’re ready to enroll in a Medicare Plan. If you enroll in part B while you still have other coverage you will be paying your part B premiums which are $203 a month for something you don’t need.

Answered by Steve Houchens on January 19, 2026

Agent Licensed in KY & TN

Answered by Steve Houchens Medicare Insurance Agent

Timothy Brown · Answer

Signing up for Medicare Part B is not mandatory or necessary as long as the employee is currently enrolled in their group employer plan which is considered creditable coverage. As a result, you will be exempt you from a late enrollment penalty should you decided to enroll in Medicare Part B past the age of 65, however there's one exception: Signing up for Medicare Part B will be required if the employer has less than 20 employees.

Answered by Timothy Brown on April 13, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, CT, DE & 15 other states

Answered by Timothy Brown Medicare Insurance Agent

Michael Pyers · Answer

If you are employed in a group of under 20 people, or if your employer coverage is not as good as Medicare, then you must sign up for Medicare to avoid any potential penalties.

Frank Carta · Answer

This is a very good question.

If you have creditable medical coverage from your employer, you are not required to purchase
part B until you lose your creditable coverage.

For 2026, part B coverage costs about $205 per month and can be deducted from your social
security checks. 

When you lose your coverage for whatever the reason, retirement or discontinuance of the plan,
you have time to choose a Medicare plan. If you wait too long to select coverage, you may
be required to pay a fine. So, do not wait long after your plan is discontinued or lost due
to retirement.

Mary Salmon · Answer

If you are still working for an employer with at least 20 employees and have employer group health insurance, you can postpone part B. I recommend that you get part a while still employed and then enroll in part B when you retire. It is important to speak with a Medicare specialist to determine if your employer group coverage is considered creditable.

Answered by Mary Salmon on April 9, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX & OK

Answered by Mary Salmon Medicare Insurance Agent

Deb Haley · Answer

If you are over 65 and still working AND ARE STILL COVERED UNDER YOUR EMPLOYER'S HEALTH INSURANCE and that insurance is considered 'creditable coverage' then you do not need to enroll in Medicare Part B at this time. Creditable coverage means that your employer has over 20 employees and that the insurance coverage is as good as what Medicare offers. It can be confusing to figure this out because there are variations that effect whether you need to pay for Part B or not, things like whether you are eligible for employer insurance which is usually determined by the company based on the number of hours you work. Creditable coverage can also depend on how many employees the company has. If you are going to continue to work and will be covered on the employer plan that meets the criteria above, you DO NOT need to enroll in Part B until about a month prior to the end date of your employer health insurance coverage. You will apply for Part B under a SEP (Special Enrollment Period) called "leaving employer group health plan" and would request Part B to start on the first of the month following your last date of coverage from the company.

Answered by Deb Haley on June 2, 2025

Broker Licensed in MA, AZ, CA & 11 other states

Answered by Deb Haley Medicare Insurance Agent

Lea Vollmer · Answer

If you have work insurance, you do not have to have part B. But if you do not have insurance, you will be fined if you do not get part B and or D, by 65 or 3 months after turning 65. You need to fill out the Part B form at the Social Security office or online at SSA.gov, which tells Social Security how you want to pay your Medicare Part B premium. I would love to help you. 
Lea Vollmer

Brian Kulis · Answer

That's because it's not your field of expertise. I am sure that I would not be proficient in your field of business! Navigating Medicare can be confusing. Find out with your current employee if you need Part B to coordinate with your employee coverage. If you do not need Part B, you can wait until you retire and or lose group coverage. Then you will have a guarantee issue period to enroll in a Medicare Plan. Supplement, Advantage or prescription plan etc...

Answered by Brian Kulis on August 11, 2025

Broker Licensed in AR, AZ, LA & MO, OK, TN & TX

Answered by Brian Kulis Medicare Insurance Agent

Daintee Hurst Dietz · Answer

Are you still working and on company insurance? Is it creditable? Do you have dependents on your plan? There are many factors as to when and where you transition. Having a trusted Agent in your corner to refer to is very important.

Answered by Daintee Hurst Dietz on June 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, AZ & CA

Answered by Daintee Hurst Dietz Medicare Insurance Agent

Paul Wyatt · Answer

If you still have employer coverage then you do not necessarily need Part B. However, it is best to sit down and compare your current plan to Medicare and see which would give you the best deal. Factors to consider in the comparison are premium, deductible, and max out of pocket. Once these figures are taken into account then you can make an educated decision on whether to continue employer coverage or to go fully onto Medicare.

Answered by Paul Wyatt on August 20, 2025

Broker Licensed in TN, KY & MS

Answered by Paul Wyatt Medicare Insurance Agent

Jeffrey Greenberg · Answer

If your employer has less then 20 employees you need Medicare an and b if there are over 20 employees you only need a. 
I would be happy to talk with you on Monday. Contact me.
Jeff Greenberg

Robert Helmkamp II · Answer

Medicare can be confusing a lot of the time, while google search has improved every year, you still should contact a medicare broker or agent when having concerns. If you are still currently working, receive medical benefits through your job, and would like to keep your jobs plan, then you do not need Part B. Employer coverage counts as credible coverage, so you will not incur a late enrollment penalty when you decide to begin your Part B. You will need to enroll in Part B when you lose your employer coverage or if Medicare would be better and more cost efficient.

Answered by Robert Helmkamp II on November 13, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Robert Helmkamp II Medicare Insurance Agent

Victoria Shiu · Answer

Medicare rules are “one size fits all” — but employers’ insurance rules aren’t. The tricky part is figuring out how your job’s insurance interacts with Medicare. That’s why the answer is different for a 67-year-old at a 3-person law office versus a 67-year-old at IBM. Make sure you have a Medicare Advocate that will help you navigate these complexities.

Answered by Victoria Shiu on August 21, 2025

Broker Licensed in SC, AL, AR & 32 other states

Answered by Victoria Shiu Medicare Insurance Agent

Clare Burley · Answer

Great question! If you are continuing to work past 65 and have creditable coverage through employer insurance, you do not need to enroll into Part B. However, it’s always a good idea to have a Medicare Broker run a side by side comparison for you, because oftentimes Medicare options will beat out employer plans and can save you money!

Answered by Clare Burley on August 4, 2025

Broker Licensed in CO, ID, KS & 10 other states

Answered by Clare Burley Medicare Insurance Agent

Jeffrey Adams · Answer

It isn't easy to figure out because there are so many variables.  If your company has under 20 employees, you must get Part B when you are first eligible, as Medicare will be your primary payor.  If your employer has over 20 employees, you can postpone Part B and not pay the monthly premium, as long as you have creditable coverage from your employer or your working spouses employer.  There is no penalty and you will get a special election opportunity when you lose your coverage to enroll in Part B.

Additionally, Part B currently costs $202.90 so at times it can be more cost effective and better coverage to go with Medicare.  A comparison of your coverages and costs would answer that question more effectively.

Bill Zeky · Answer

As I stated on another questions, many points of confusion are the fault of getting advice from uneducated sources. While family and friends are well intentioned, they're not well trained, annually tested licensed insurance agents. Politely listen to them but then seek out a professional who will fully educate you.

Answered by Bill Zeky on May 19, 2025

Broker Licensed in PA, AL, CO & 10 other states

Answered by Bill Zeky Medicare Insurance Agent

Shrutep Amin · Answer

If you’re still working and have health coverage through your (or your spouse’s) active employer, you can usually delay Part B without penalty — as long as the employer has 20 or more employees.

If your employer has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare becomes primary, and you usually should enroll in Part B when you’re first eligible to avoid penalties and gaps in coverage.

Alicia Rosenquist · Answer

It can be confusing to navigate Medicare rules while still employed. Whether you need Part B primarily depends on where you get your health insurance and the size of the employer. 

If you are 67, still actively working, and covered by a health insurance plan from your employer or your spouse's employer, contact the employer's Benefits Administrator. This is the most crucial step. They can verify if your current employer coverage is considered "creditable" by Medicare and if you can delay Part B enrollment without penalty.

Brandon Grzywa · Answer

It can be a confusing mess of information when deciding what to do with Medicare after age 65. In general, if your company offers qualifying coverage (you should be notified every year if it does), you do not need Part B. It may be wise to review work coverage benefits and compare them to Medicare benefits and costs. What seems like a deal at work might not be when you look under the hood. Many factors will play into when is the best time to take Medicare if you're still working, like: Age of a spouse, IRMAA (Income Related Medicare Adjustment Amount), health, upcoming procedure, knee replacement, etc. Consult an independent broker like Senior Legacy Partner, we can help make the complex simple.

Answered by Brandon Grzywa on August 12, 2025

Broker Licensed in NE, IA & SD

Answered by Brandon Grzywa Medicare Insurance Agent

Bill Horton · Answer

You will want to compare costs between your Group plan through work vs. your anticipated costs of going on Medicare. Not just the monthly premium, but also copay and coinsurance differences between the two. Prescription pricing also needs to be factored in.

If you have family members also on the Group plan we have to take that into consideration as well.

Once these various factors are accounted for, you would typically choose the option that keeps the most money in your pocket. 

While this may sound daunting, a good broker can make the process very easy for you. Sometimes it makes sense to stay on the Group plan until retirement, sometimes it makes sense to switch to Medicare. There is no one-size-fits-all answer.

Fred Manas · Answer

If you're still working at 67, you likely don't need to enroll in Medicare Part B immediately. Medicare Part B is voluntary and you can delay enrollment if you have creditable health insurance coverage through your employment. This is because Medicare Part B is designed to work in coordination with other health plans, and if your employer coverage is strong, you may not need it. 
Here's why it can be confusing:
It's not mandatory at 65:
Many people assume Medicare Part B is mandatory at 65, but that's not the case for those who have employer-sponsored health insurance. 
Late enrollment penalties:
If you delay enrollment beyond certain periods, you may face late enrollment penalties. 
Complexity of employer plans:
Determining whether your employer's health plan is "creditable" (meaning it provides at least the same coverage as Medicare) can be tricky. 
Impact on other insurance:
Your decision to enroll in Part B can affect other insurance you might have, like Medigap or COBRA. 
To clarify your situation:
Check your Initial Enrollment Period (IEP): This is a 7-month period around your 65th birthday when you can enroll in Medicare. 
Talk to your employer: Ask your employer's benefits administrator if your plan is considered creditable and what happens if you sign up for Part B. 
Contact Medicare: The Social Security Administration (.gov) can provide guidance on your specific situation. 
Consider the costs: Part B has a monthly premium, so weigh the cost against the benefits. 
Understand the penalties: Medicare (.gov) can explain the penalties for late enrollment.

Vachik Chakhbazian · Answer

you can delay enrolling in Part B and may not need it until you retire. if your employer has fewer than 20 employees, you'll likely need Part B to avoid gaps in coverage.

Meghan Blankenship · Answer

If you are still working at 67 and have health insurance through your employer, you likely don't need to enroll in Medicare Part B yet - and you can delay it without penalty.

Marcie Barnes · Answer

As long as you have credible coverage through your job you don't need Part B. You may want to explore your options though. Employer coverage is not always the best option if you have high premiums and Deductibles. Feel free to reach out to me to further discuss your options. Marcie Barnes

Answered by Marcie Barnes on April 11, 2025

Agent Licensed in TX, AK, AL & 48 other states

Answered by Marcie Barnes Medicare Insurance Agent

Suzanne Lamperti · Answer

You need to sign up for Part B when you retire. You will get a permanent fine if you don't.  Then you will need a Medicare Supplement.

Todd Bostic · Answer

You only need part B once you finish working. You can delay Part B as long as you would like and you are not penalized for not having Medicare in the interim.

Deborah Webster · Answer

It is not a requirement for taking part B when you are covered under a group health plan with your employer. Most people will delay B while still working if they are allowed to stay on employer coverage (check with your HR on policy rules). They will take B at a later date when they fully retire and quit working. Ship offices will help with information about this, as well as local agents you may work with to help explain your options for Medicare.

Answered by Deborah Webster on July 9, 2025

Broker Licensed in Ia & SC

Answered by Deborah Webster Medicare Insurance Agent

Barbara Barnes, CMIP® · Answer

It’s probably hard because you’re asking people who should know, but they don’t know.

If your employer has less than 20 employees, Medicare will be your PRIMARY insurance once you are eligible. That means that your group benefits will pay secondary to Medicare. This means that you need full Medicare coverage - Parts A & B or you will have an 80% hole in your coverage. Often, in this case, it makes sense to use your Medicare benefits and eliminate your group plan for either a Medicare Supplement plan or a Medicare Advantage plan. An exception to this is if your employer is paying for your benefits plan 100% (you are paying nothing for it) or if you are using expensive medications. Either way, you should speak with a Medicare insurance agent to evaluate everything.

If your employer has more than 20 employees, your group benefits plan will be primary and Medicare will be SECONDARY. In this case you may not need your Medicare benefits and you may choose to defer Part A and/or Part B until you lose your group benefits, usually at retirement. Again, though, it is important to speak with a Medicare insurance agent to be sure you are doing this correctly, especially if you have a Health Savings Account or if you are paying a very large premium for your group health plan.

Carol Conner · Answer

If you have insurance to your employer, you can put off part B for a while and then when you do retire, you can have credible coverage so then you can apply for Hart but sometimes employ your coverage is more costly than going on to Medicare so you could also use your employer insurance as first primary and then Medicare could come in as a secondary so I would talk to license insurance representative about that

Answered by Carol Conner on January 19, 2026

Broker Licensed in TX

Answered by Carol Conner Medicare Insurance Agent

Eizel Mere · Answer

Medicare can be simple if you have a good broker who will break it down for you. You will see on your Medicare card (red, white and blue) your formal name, MBI# (Medicare ID) and Part A followed by date and Part B followed by date. If there is no Part B info then there is no Part B coverage. Another way to know is to log in to your ssa.gov account. If you do not have Part B it will give you the option to enroll. To get an ssa.gov account go to website and follow instructions to register.

Answered by Eizel Mere on September 22, 2025

Broker Licensed in FL

Answered by Eizel Mere Medicare Insurance Agent

Don Hansford · Answer

If you are enrolled in coverage through your employer and it is deemed creditable coverage (most are), then you do not need to enroll in Part B. The same holds true for Part D. You are guaranteed to be able to enroll when you leave your employer coverage.

Answered by Don Hansford on September 14, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX

Answered by Don Hansford Medicare Insurance Agent

Adam Ernst · Answer

There are different rules that apply when taking Medicare past turning 65 as that is your initial enrollment period to take Medicare. Since you are still working, have you had creditable coverage until now? If not, have you started taking your SS checks? If you have and never deferred Part B, you might already be paying for it. If you have not, you would have to start that process of applying for your SS benefits then they would figure out. This is why you get a personal agent that is licensed and does this education for you for no cost to make sure you understand all of these rights. They send you lots of information, but most people do not have the time nor the patience to interpret it all. Leave it to us and let us know how we can help.

Answered by Adam Ernst on November 23, 2025

Agent Licensed in NC, SC & TN

Answered by Adam Ernst Medicare Insurance Agent

Charles Borg · Answer

If you’re covered by an accredited plan through your employer, you don,t. Check with your employer or group insurance to make sure that your health plan qualifies.

David Christian · Answer

If you still have employer group coverage, you do not need Part B unless the employer group coverage says you need it (meaning you are getting your Medicare through their coverage). Once you know you will be leaving the Employer Group Coverage, you want to apply for your Medicare Part B.

Answered by David Christian on April 13, 2026

Broker Licensed in CA & TX

Answered by David Christian Medicare Insurance Agent

Mark Murphy · Answer

The rule with Part B is:
If you work for a company with more than 20 employees, you do not have to sign up for Part B unless your work plan doesn't have creditable Rx coverage.  They should notify you of that every year at renewal.
If you work for a company with under 20 employees you must sign up for Part B.  In this case Medicare pays first and company insurance (if you keep it) pays second.  If you don't sign on for Part B in this scenario, your work plan can refuse to cover all Part B services.
Hope that clears it up for you.

Roberto Alonso · Answer

It is not.

If your employer's group health plan has 20 or more full time employees, you can hold off enrolling in Part B until you retire, and skip paying its monthly premium. Same goes for Part D (drugs), if the employer's prescription drug coverage is "creditable". 

Part A is "premium free" as long as you worked and paid taxes for 10 years in our country. Part A is a no brainer. There you have it. Which part was difficult?

Chad Hardy · Answer

I get it—Medicare can feel way more confusing than it should be. If you’re still working at 67, whether you need Part B really depends on your employer coverage. Larger employers often let you delay it without penalty, but smaller ones may not. The safest move is to review your situation with an agent so you don’t end up paying extra or facing a penalty.

Answered by Chad Hardy on October 7, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX, AL, AR & 8 other states

Answered by Chad Hardy Medicare Insurance Agent

Bud Griffin · Answer

The easiest way to find out if you need Medicare Part B is simply call the administrator of your group insurance coverage (usually, that would be your companies benefit department) and ask them any related questions.

Answered by Bud Griffin on October 27, 2025

Broker Licensed in TX

Answered by Bud Griffin Medicare Insurance Agent

Jeremy Watson · Answer

There is a lot of information that goes along with Medicare. Agents and brokers have to go through a certification process every year to maintain their license to offer these plans. So, yes, it can be confusing if you are trying to figure it out alone. Often times talking to an experienced agent will be the easiest way to get the answers you need. In this case, if you are still working, your work coverage is considered creditable, the premium is similar to what Medicare coverage may be, and/or the benefits are comparable, then you do not need Part B. You would not face any late enrollment penalty. If you aren't sure what the better option would be, sitting down with an agent that can do a side-by-side comparison of your group coverage verse Medicare would clear up a lot of questions and confusion.

Answered by Jeremy Watson on September 2, 2025

Broker Licensed in IN, FL, KY & MI, OH, SC & TN

Answered by Jeremy Watson Medicare Insurance Agent

Ingrid Kollmann · Answer

As long as your current employer coverage is considered "credible" coverage with prescription drug coverage, there's no need to sign up for Part B, which cost $185/month  in 2025.

Tony Merwin · Answer

You must enroll in Part B unless you have qualifying employer insurance and are working. Aside from that it comes down to comparing cost and quality of coverage.

Mark Walker · Answer

For questions just like this this is why you wanna have an agent. To go over the specifics of the person’s individual plan and the cost factors to see if it benefits the individual to stay in his company plan or to move over to Medicare.

Answered by Mark Walker on September 8, 2025

Agent Licensed in FL

Answered by Mark Walker Medicare Insurance Agent

Al Saponar · Answer

If you are still working at 67, and have health insurance from your employer, you won't need part B, until when you retire, or when your coverage ends, or will end.

Rene Apack · Answer

I understand. Medicare could be confusing.
If you are still working and your company is paying your health care, keep going.
Once you plan to retire, 3 months before, go to www.ssa.gov and apply for Part B to take effect.  
Then you decide to stay with Medicare and get a Plan G supplement and a drug plan, or choose a company based on your doctors and meds.
Best wishes,
Rene Apack

Sandy Hammond · Answer

I know that Medicare can be extremely confusing so hopefully this information will help.  If you are still working and continue to work, it is OKAY to delay Part B as long as your employer coverage is considered "creditable" coverage.  Your HR department will be able to advise you on that.  As long as that is the case, then no worries.

Once you know when you are going to retire and leave employer coverage, you will want to apply for Part B 3 months prior to your retirement month.   Your HR department will need to fill out an L564 form to prove that you have had creditable coverage.  You must submit the L564 form along with your Part B application.  This way, you should not incur a Part B Late Enrollment Penalty since you have had creditable coverage.

I hope you have found this information helpful.

Ana V. Magalhaes · Answer

Hi. It does not have to be hard 
If you are working and you have healthcare coverage thru your employer and the coverage is as credible as Medicare, you can delay getting Part B. Same for for Part D (prescriptions).
How do you know if you have credible coverage ?  You contact your current plan provider and ask for - Notice of Credible coverage.
Be well.

Josefina Escobar · Answer

Medicare doesn’t automatically know your situation. You have to connect those dots yourself, which isn’t always straightforward. If your employer has 20 or more employees, you may delay Part B. If the employer has fewer than 20 employees, enroll in Part B to helps avoid gaps in coverage.

Julie Hamilton, RN · Answer

I'm happy to help you with this question but I would need a little more information.  If you are still working and on your employer's health plan, you can delay taking Medicare part B until you retire without incurring any penalties.  Some questions I have to be able to best answer your question:  Does your employer have at least 20 employees?  Is your employer-sponsored health plan less expensive than the cost of Medicare part B?  Consider the costs, benefits, and potential penalties associated with both your employer's plan and Medicare Part B.   Let me know if I can help :)

Jeff LeSourd · Answer

If you are working for an employer that offers “creditable health insurance” you can delay enrolling in Part B Medicare once you are 65. Your HR dept can advise if your company insurance is creditable. It is very confusing!! 

Also the company MUST have 20 or more employees to avoid penalty. If not, then you have to enroll in Medicare Part B to avoid penalty at age 65 as Medicare is primary insurance for people at companies with less than 20 employees. 

Once your employment ends you will have a short window to enroll in Part B without penalty.

Wayne Hartzler · Answer

The easy answer is you probably don't need Part B yet. It is a good idea to do a side by side comparison though to make sure. What does your current healthcare cost you, what is the deductible, what is the max out of pocket limit? Let's compare those to being on Medicare and see which side interests you the most. Then, is your spouse on your plan as well? If so, can they stay on the plan if you are not the primary on the plan? Does your current plan have 20 or more people on it? If so, then Medicare will be secondary insurance, (you can have both). If not, then Medicare will become your primary insurance and your group plan will become secondary, in which case you may not need your current plan. Do you like to travel when you are not at work? If so, you will want to evaluate the options with Medicare that will allow you to be in-network while traveling. Saying "Yes" to Medicare or not is not hard, if you have someone who can help you ask the right questions.

Rosanne Thompson · Answer

If an individual is still working at the age of 67 it is advisable to enroll in Part B unless you have a creditable plan through the employer. If you do not register for Part B you have have a penalty for not enrolling when you first become eligible.

Michelle Brown · Answer

You may be able to delay Medicare Part B without penalty if you're still working at 67 and have employer-sponsored health insurance through your own or your spouse's job, provided the employer has 20 or more employees.

Feel free to give me a call.

Daniel Young · Answer

You do not need part B until you lose your employer's health plan.  No need to incur the part B premium until necessary.

David Nelson · Answer

If you are still working for an employer with more than 20 Employees and you have a qualified creditable health plan through them - you don't need to enroll in Part B.  Once you lose that coverage,then you will need to enroll in Part B.

Jennifer Stark · Answer

You will need a part B plan only if you are not under employer coverage that includes a perscription drug plan. When you decide to retire and get off of their group plan, you can apply for part B. Then get on A Medicare advanatge plan that includes a drug plan. Or you cxan chose a Medicare Supplement plan and get a stand along PDP.

Lorrie Scully · Answer

If you are still receiving Group Health Insurance, you don't need part B.  However, Medicare insurance is likely less expensive than Group insurance, and the health insurance benefits, and coverage would be much better.

Garrett Ball · Answer

You do not need Part B if you are covered by a group/employer plan that is primary to Medicare (if employer has more than 20 employees). You can delay Part B enrollment and add it later, without penalty, through a special enrollment period (https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up/part-b-only).

Brian MacInnis · Answer

If you are still working and have credible coverage, you can delay Part B until you are ready for Medicare.  If you currently have a major medical health plan offered through your employer, it would be considered credible coverage.  Depending on how much you pay (if any) each month for your employer coverage, pursuing Medicare before you officially retire could make financial sense.

Christopher Soto · Answer

If you're still working and have credible insurance as good as Medicare or better than you're not obligated to enroll into Part B. If this is accomplished than you will not be hit with a late enrollment penalty. Medicare is too complex, when you navigate Medicare, it's best to work with a licensed professional who works in the industry full time.

Eric Knipp · Answer

If you currently have health insurance through your employer you do not need Part B even if you are drawing social security benefits while working.

Ola Clark · Answer

The rules can be tricky because Medicare and employer coverage work together in specific ways. If your job-based insurance is considered creditable, you may not need Part B right now, but always double-check the details so you avoid late penalties later.