Yes — With Some Rules Attached
If you’re turning 65 and still working, you can absolutely have both Medicare and employer group health coverage at the same time. Whether that’s the right move — and whether you need to enroll in Medicare Part B right away — depends mostly on the size of the employer.
The 20-Employee Threshold
If your employer (or your spouse’s) has 20 or more employees, the employer plan is generally considered primary, and Medicare pays secondary. In this situation, many people delay Part B enrollment without penalty, since they already have creditable coverage, and enroll in Part B later during a Special Enrollment Period once the employment or coverage ends.
If the employer has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare generally becomes primary once you’re eligible, and the employer plan pays secondary (or sometimes stops covering you meaningfully at all). In that case, delaying Part B usually isn’t a good idea — you’d effectively have a coverage gap even though you’re technically still “covered” by two plans.
Checking “Creditable” Status
Whether your employer coverage is “creditable” — meaning it’s expected to pay, on average, at least as much as standard Medicare coverage — determines whether you can delay Medicare Part B and Part D without a late-enrollment penalty later. Your employer’s HR department or benefits administrator can confirm creditable status; it’s often noted in your plan’s annual notice.
What Happens When Employment Ends
Once your employment or your employer coverage ends — whichever comes first — you get an 8-month Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to sign up for Medicare Part B without a late penalty. There’s a similar but separate SEP window for Part D. Missing this window is one of the more common and avoidable Medicare mistakes, since the SEP doesn’t wait for the next Annual Enrollment Period.
Don’t Assume — Verify Your Specific Situation
Employer size, plan design, and creditable-coverage status all affect the right timing for you individually. Before assuming you can safely delay Medicare, or assuming you need to enroll immediately, it’s worth confirming the specifics of your employer plan rather than going on a general rule of thumb.
Have questions? Schedule a free review with Kayla Price, a licensed insurance agent at Price Services Group. Call 866-648-1578 or visit priceservicesgroup.com/schedule.
Price Services Group, LLC is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government or the federal Medicare program. NPN: 18530055 | Agency NPN: 20387435