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I have employer coverage

Even if you have coverage through a current or former employer, you still may need to make some important Medicare enrollment decisions. You may have to pay a penalty if you don't enroll on time, so it's best to understand how your current coverage works with Medicare before making any decisions.

I have employer coverage and:

Ask your employer or union benefits administrator if they require you to sign up for Medicare if both of these apply:

  • You (or your spouse) are currently working.
  • You're covered by an employer or union group health plan based on that employment.

If the employer doesn't require you to sign up for Medicare right away, you can sign up later during a Special Enrollment Period without a late enrollment penalty. 

You don't need to do anything until you (or your spouse) retire or you lose the coverage if both of these apply:

  • You (or your spouse) are working.
  • You're covered by an employer or union group health plan based on that employment.

After you (or your spouse) retire, you'll be able to sign up for Medicare during a Special Enrollment Period without a late enrollment penalty.

Ask your employer or union benefits administrator if they require you to sign up for Medicare if both of these apply:

  • You, a spouse, or family member is working.
  • You're covered by an employer or union group health plan (with at least 100 employees) based on that employment.

If the employer doesn't require you to sign up for Medicare right away, you can sign up later during a Special Enrollment Period without a late enrollment penalty.

If you have retiree health insurance from a former employer or union, or you have COBRA, Medicare will become your primary health insurance once you sign up. Medicare will pay its part of the costs for any health care services you get, and then you can submit any amount not covered by Medicare to your employer's plan. 

If you don't sign up for Medicare when you're first eligible, these conditions apply:

  • Your current coverage might not pay your medical costs during any period in which you were eligible for Medicare but didn't sign up for it.
  • You may need to have both Part A and Part B to get full benefits from this coverage.
  • You're not eligible to sign up for Medicare through a Special Enrollment Period when this coverage ends.

Learn more about retiree coverage.

If you have questions about your current insurance, the best source of information is your benefits administrator, insurer, or plan provider.