I'm turning 65 in three months but still working with employer coverage. Do I need to sign up for Medicare right now or can I wait?

Question

Gregg Matheny · Accepted Answer

You can wait as long as you are maintaining employer coverage. Medicare part A will still get assigned to you but (as long as you are not receiving SS benefits) not part B. When you do choose to leave employer coverage make sure you visit SSA.gov and “apply for Medicare part B only”. Keep in mind this may take at least a few weeks and you may have to collect some signatures from your employers HR dept so start this process at least a month before you plan on quitting/ leaving employer coverage.

Answered by Gregg Matheny on April 4, 2025

Agent Licensed in AZ & UT

Answered by Gregg Matheny Medicare Insurance Agent

Tony Capraro III · Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/turning-65-working-employer-coverage-medicare-signup-timing#tony-capraro

William Lawler · Answer

This answer is provided in a video format. Watch the agent's video response here: https://medicareagentshub.com/questions/turning-65-working-employer-coverage-medicare-signup-timing#william-lawler

Misty Bolt · Answer

You can wait until you retire unless your employer has less than 20 employees. If your employer has less than 20 employees you would need to sign up for medicare. If you are not paying into an health savings account I would sign up for Part A only. It will be secondary to your group.

Answered by Misty Bolt on May 26, 2025

Agent Licensed in TN, AL, AR & 45 other states

Answered by Misty Bolt Medicare Insurance Agent

Deborah Lee · Answer

You should be enrolled in Part A, as far as Part B, that will depend on you, it may be more cost-effective to be enrolled in Part B and an additional Medd Supp or MAPD plan.

Steven Lovell · Answer

No, you do not need to as long as the employer has 20 employees or greater.You can continue to stay on your employer's Health Insurance until you retire. If the employer has 19 or less employees you need to go ahead and sign up for Medicare.

Answered by Steven Lovell on May 10, 2025

Broker Licensed in GA, CA, FL & 7 other states

Answered by Steven Lovell Medicare Insurance Agent

Joseph Peck · Answer

Each situation is different. I look at the options that you have to make sure you are on the best coverage for you, plus making sure you dont worry about penalties and fees.

Kathy Adams · Answer

If you're still working and on your employers insurance plan, you can apply for Medicare Part A (which doesn't cost you anything) then when you're ready to retire from your job is when you can apply for Part B, which for 2025 is $185 per month, you are also then able to get a Medicare Advantage Plan, which will give you the extra ancillary benefits, with dental, vision, free gym membership, prescription drug coverage and so much more. If you have chronic serious conditions, then you would want to be on a Medicare Supplemental Plan.

Answered by Kathy Adams on May 25, 2025

Agent Licensed in NV & ND

Answered by Kathy Adams Medicare Insurance Agent

Mike Henry · Answer

Medicare part A only. If it makes more sense economically you might want to consider signing up totally for Medicare part B and D. You need to have a discussion with your employer

David Christian · Answer

If you have worked 10 years or 40 quarters, my suggestion is for you to sign up for Medicare Part A only. It will not have a costs and already having Part A will make it easier for your to get Medicare Part B when the times comes for you to leave your employer coverage in the future.

Answered by David Christian on April 18, 2025

Broker Licensed in CA & TX

Answered by David Christian Medicare Insurance Agent

Mel Stevens · Answer

As long as you are working and your employer medical insurance plan is considered creditable coverage then you don't necessarily have to apply for Medicare Coverage. In general, what will happen is Medicare Part A will automatically become effective once your turn 65 whether you are still working or not. When getting close to age 65 while also working you should do your due diligence and compare your Medicare options, benefits and costs with your employer plan to ensure you are getting the best plan at the most competitive rate that provides the care you need. Sometimes the employer medical insurance is the best option and other times Medicare is the better option.

Answered by Mel Stevens on April 2, 2025

Broker Licensed in AZ

Answered by Mel Stevens Medicare Insurance Agent

Kelly Linster · Answer

You should be fine with not signing up but it is always best to seek out a local agent to discuss your specific situation.

Jack Mayer · Answer

You can wait with no penalty until you decide to go off the group. You will have Part A hospital but you get the Part B once you decide to go off the group plan and apply for Part B with Social Security or the Dept of SSI You have 8 months to make the transition before you are penalized

Answered by Jack Mayer on April 14, 2025

Agent Licensed in CA & NV

Answered by Jack Mayer Medicare Insurance Agent

Donnie Vermillion · Answer

Set up your my social security account online. You do not have to collect benefits yet but it will ensure you are enrolled in Medicare on time. It may make sense to delay Part B enrollment if you are still working and have "credible coverage". You want to avoid signing up late for Part B, there are lifetime penalties if you do not enroll in time. 

Credible coverage is coverage that is at least as good as what Original Medicare offers, discuss this with your Human Resources department, and contact an Independent Insurance broker.

Medicare.gov and the medicare and you handbook are also good resources.

Chris Prang · Answer

If the company you works for has 20 or more employees, you generally do not need to sign up for Medicare Part B. Odds are, your Medicare Part A will start by default the month you turn 65 (unless your birthdate is the first of the month, then it starts the previous month). 

If the company you work for has less than 20 employees, and they require you take Medicare Part B, then generally you should drop the employer coverage and go with full Medicare plus either a Medicare Supplement and Part D drug plan or a Medicare Advantage plan. 

What you should do is compare the costs and benefits from your employer coverage to what you can get with full Medicare plus a Medicare Supplement and Part D drug plan, or a Medicare Advantage Plan. Many times full Medicare coverage is less expensive than employer coverage and offers better coverage. But sometimes it's not.

I hope that helps.

Lesley Burns · Answer

If you don't plan on retiring at that time, you should only enroll in Part A. Enroll in Part B three months prior to your retirement.

Melody Manthey · Answer

The answer to this question is dependent on several factors. The size of your employer and whether or not the employer coverage is deemed creditable for Medicare parts B and D have significant impact as to whether or not you should start Medicare at 65. There are also additional considerations if you are contributing to a Health Savings Account.
This question is ultimately best answered by meeting with a Medicare professional to discuss your individual circumstances and follow up with your employer benefits department.