I'm over 65, not enrolled in Part A or B, and leaving active coverage through an employer with 20+ employees for six months of COBRA.

Question

Trever Dahms · Accepted Answer

No, once your active employer coverage ends, your 8-month Special Enrollment Period starts immediately, and COBRA doesn't extend or pause it. So even if you elect 6 months of COBRA, you still need to enroll in Part A and B within 8 months of your active coverage ending, not 8 months from when COBRA runs out. Waiting until COBRA ends would put you outside the SEP window and risk a late enrollment penalty plus a potential gap in coverage.

Answered by Trever Dahms on June 30, 2026

Broker Licensed in FL, NC, SC & WI

Answered by Trever Dahms Medicare Insurance Agent

Robin Dall · Answer

Yes, if COBRA only lasts six months and you enroll in Medicare before the eight-month Special Enrollment Period runs out, you may be able to avoid the Part B late enrollment penalty. But COBRA does not extend that window. The eight months are counted from when active employment or active employer coverage ended — not from when COBRA ends.

Answered by Robin Dall on June 30, 2026

Broker Licensed in FL, AZ, KS & MO, NC, OH & TX

Answered by Robin Dall Medicare Insurance Agent

Kristina Guerry · Answer

Yes, you have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period to enroll in Medicare but it is not based off of COBRA. It is based off when your employer coverage ends. COBRA is only creditable for delaying your Medicare Part D plan. That is, as long as the COBRA is considered creditable coverage for Part D. I would recommend having a conversation with a broker one to two months prior to your employer coverage ending to have a plan and confirm that you understand everything.

Answered by Kristina Guerry on June 30, 2026

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

Answered by Kristina Guerry Medicare Insurance Agent

Veronica Giron · Answer

Leaving employer coverage with 20+ employees qualifies you for an 8-month SEP to enroll in Medicare parts A & B. Cobra does not extend or restart the 8-month SEP, the clock starts when the employer coverage ends.

Answered by Veronica Giron on June 30, 2026

Broker Licensed in CO, AZ, CA & 8 other states

Answered by Veronica Giron Medicare Insurance Agent

Kim Humphries · Answer

Yes,  you can sign up for Parts A & B anytime after leaving work.  You have 8 months to start your medicare, but you should do it sooner rather then later.  You should compare the costs between
Medicare and your cobra.  Many times the Medicare A, B, D and a supplement are cheaper then the cobra.  You should at lease compare and contrast those.  It depends on your income a lot of times.  Kim H.

Gary Church · Answer

If you're leaving your employer and considering COBRA, do not choose that option. Instead, make sure to enroll in Medicare and activate your Part A and Part B. After that, you have some alternatives, and I recommend meeting with a licensed Medicare agent who can help you sign up for Medicare and pick the right plan for you.

Alan &quot;AL&quot; Minthorn · Answer

COBRA is NOT viewed as Creditable coverage by Medicare. You should already be enrolled in Part A and adding Part B when your ER plan ends. Most advantage plans are required to cover transition care for treatment in progress for 60-90 days. In many cases, the cost sharing is equal or less than that of ER - COBRA benefits.

Answered by Alan "AL" Minthorn on July 1, 2026

Broker Licensed in ME, FL, NC & NH

Answered by Alan "AL" Minthorn 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/medicare-enrollment-after-cobra-ends#voss-speros

Patricia Lewis · Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/medicare-enrollment-after-cobra-ends#patricia-lewis-34235

I'm over 65, not enrolled in Part A or B, and leaving active coverage through an employer with 20+ employees for six months of COBRA.

Agents: Share Your Expertise

Seniors: Ask a Question of Your Own

Related Questions

Agent Locator

Medicare Agents Hub
A non-government resource website

I'm over 65, not enrolled in Part A or B, and leaving active coverage through an employer with 20+ employees for six months of COBRA.

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