Working While 65+
Navigating Medicare | by My Medicare Whiz, Judy Daniels
Understanding Medicare Part B
One question that I always get from people who are turning 65 soon, but are still working, is “Should I enroll in Medicare Part B if I am 65 or older, still working (or spouse is still working) and have insurance from that job?
COVERAGE VARIES BY THE # OF EMPLOYEES AT A COMPANY
If you are age 65 and older and there are fewer than 20 employees in the company you or your spouse works for:
Medicare is your primary coverage. If you have not yet enrolled, you should enroll during your initial enrollment period. Your Employer can choose whether you will still be able to be on your group plan, and if you decline Part B, neither Medicare nor your job coverage (with limited exceptions) will pay for your doctors’ services and other medical care.
If you are age 65 and older and there are more than 20 or more employees in the company you or your spouse works for:
Your employer group health plan is your primary insurer. You do not need to enroll in Medicare Part B if you are satisfied with your coverage. However, you should have an analysis done to see if you may have an opportunity to save money and still get the medical care and prescriptions you want or need.
Delaying Part B (Not Enrolling)
You qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, which means you can delay enrollment in Part B without penalty, if you were covered by employer health insurance through your or your spouse’s current job when you first became eligible for Medicare.
PENALTIES FOR FAILING TO ENROLL ON-TIME ARE FOR LIFE
You can enroll in Medicare without penalty at any time while you have group health coverage and for eight months after you lose your group health coverage or you (or your spouse) stop working, whichever comes first.
Medicare can be confusing, and knowing what your options are and the timing of choosing those options can be the key to saving money AND making sure you do not have any gaps in coverage.
Connect with your HR Department
Talk with your HR department, or contact a licensed Medicare insurance broker who can do a complimentary analysis for your needs at no charge
Author, Judy Daniels
My Medicare Whiz is Judy Daniels, who has a strong background in Medicare, Medi-Cal, and the Affordable Care Act. She is currently the Medicare Chair for the Los Angeles Association of Health Underwriters, and speaks regularly in Southern California to Medical Groups, Community Organizations, and Employers. Judy is well-known for her Educational talks with consumers as well. She has a passion to educate and inform people about Medicare and how it works and has been doing so for over 12 years.
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Not affiliated with the U.S. Government or Federal Medicare Program.
Judy Daniels
CA DOI: 0g42236
PHONE NUMBER: (661) 493-2438 (TTY 711 M-F, 8AM-5PM)
For additional questions, Judy can be reached at 818-403-0203 or judy@berwickinsurance.com
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judith-judy-daniels-0250b43/