I have health insurance through work. Is there any reason to sign up for Medicare when I turn 65?

In most cases, you can delay enrolling in Medicare Part B if you are working and covered by your employer’s health insurance after age 65.

Under the law, people who work beyond age 65 for organizations with 20 or more employees must be offered the same health insurance benefits for themselves and their dependents as is provided to younger employees. You cannot be required by your employer to take Medicare or a different kind of insurance when you turn 65. Also, your employer cannot drop your coverage, raise your rates or offer you an incentive to enroll in Medicare and drop your employer-provided health coverage.

 

If you work for an employer with 20 or fewer employees, the rules are different. Your employer can exclude you from their group plan when you turn 65, making Medicare Part B a viable coverage option.

 

Regardless of the size of your employer, Medicare encourages those who qualify for Part A to enroll when they become eligible. In most cases, you will not have to pay a premium for Part A as long as you or your spouse contributed enough Medicare payroll taxes to qualify.

 

When you decide to retire, Medicare offers a special enrollment period to complete your enrollment without penalty. It is best to enroll before your employer sponsored plan ends so everything is in place when you retire.

 

Have more questions on Medicare? Join me for Getting Started with Medicare. In this class, we cover all the basics you’ll want to know before you enroll in Medicare. The class is offered at local colleges, libraries and community education programs throughout the area. You’ll find a complete list of dates and times at www.mutskoinsurance.com/seminars.The classes are for educational purposes only and no plan specific benefits or details will be presented.

 

For guidance on your specific insurance questions, please contact me at

440-255-5700.