I plan to leave my job on April 10. Can I sign up for Medicare now, or do I have to wait until my job ends and my health insurance stops? It’s a large company with good health insurance. I’ll also be getting a supplement through Washington State PERS from my partner, who’s a state retiree.
When your employer coverage ends, you can sign up for Medicare.
Wyn said:
When your employer coverage ends, you can sign up for Medicare.
No, you can sign up 60 days before you leave.
Wyn said:
When your employer coverage ends, you can sign up for Medicare.
No, you can sign up 60 days before you leave.
I read the first bullet on the SSA site, and it seems to say you can sign up anytime after 65 if you’re still working, but it’s a bit confusing.
@Tate
Yes, but the time frame to enroll in Part A & B is two months before leaving the employer plan and up to eight months after leaving.
Wyn said:
When your employer coverage ends, you can sign up for Medicare.
No, you can sign up 60 days before you leave.
They’ll need proof that employer coverage is ending to avoid penalties. Sometimes that proof is only available after coverage stops.
@Wyn
Depends on the HR department, but most of my clients get those forms signed without issues, unless the employer isn’t aware of the upcoming separation.
@Wyn
They accepted my proof before my coverage stopped. It’s just a form the employer fills out.
Vann said:
@Wyn
They accepted my proof before my coverage stopped. It’s just a form the employer fills out.
But if you don’t want your employer to know early, you’ll need to wait until formal insurance ending.
You have eight months, but you can apply up to 60 days before leaving work. Get the forms from the Social Security site: CMS-40B and CMS-L564.
Ira said:
You have eight months, but you can apply up to 60 days before leaving work. Get the forms from the Social Security site: CMS-40B and CMS-L564.
Thank you so much! Does my employer have to sign these?
@Joy
Yes, the L564 form. But since we’re in the General Enrollment Period, you could try enrolling on the SS website. Go to https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up and see if it lets you enroll now. You’ll need to fill out some paperwork or let your Medicare plan know you had an employer-sponsored plan, as they might send a letter about a ‘Late Enrollment Penalty.’ Be sure to keep a copy of your employer health card to prove Creditable Coverage.
@Ira
Looks like that link may not work due to scripts. Just head to https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up and apply.
Ira said:
@Ira
Looks like that link may not work due to scripts. Just head to https://www.ssa.gov/medicare/sign-up and apply.
Thank you.
@Ira
Thank you so much. I’ll give it a try. I’m on FMLA, so I’m not sure how they’ll handle it if I’m signing up for Medicare now. They’ve not been the most supportive.
Joy said:
@Ira
Thank you so much. I’ll give it a try. I’m on FMLA, so I’m not sure how they’ll handle it if I’m signing up for Medicare now. They’ve not been the most supportive.
It’s really none of their business, and it saves them money if you go on Medicare instead. Do you know if they’ll end benefits at the end of April? If so, you can submit those forms as early as next week.
Ira said:
You have eight months, but you can apply up to 60 days before leaving work. Get the forms from the Social Security site: CMS-40B and CMS-L564.
What if you keep working but don’t want work coverage anymore? Can you switch to Medicare anytime?
@Devin
For a large employer, if they allow you to leave their plan, you can start Medicare. Timing is key; Medicare doesn’t start right away, but it can be quick if you go to the Social Security office with your paperwork ready.
@Devin
Yes, you can. I’m leaving our plan to save my employer money. Private insurance costs are so high.
Here’s the SSA page with Part B sign-up info. Looks like you’re good to go.