How does Medicare work with employer based insurance?

If you are covered by a group health plan (GHP) at the company where you or your spouse are actively employed at the time you become eligible for Medicare, it is important to understand how Medicare and employer-based insurance plans share costs. 

For those becoming eligible for Medicare because of age, if your GHP coverage is through a company with 20 or more employees, that plan is your primary insurer until you (or your spouse if the source of your coverage) retire or otherwise lose coverage. This means that you do not need to sign up for Medicare until the GHP coverage ends, at which time you will have a Special Enrollment Period when you can enroll in Medicare, a Medigap or Medicare Advantage plan, and Part D (prescription) plan. However, if your coverage comes through a company with fewer than 20 employees, your GHP is usually secondary to Medicare. You must have a primary insurer to be assured of coverage, so if this is your situation, it is important to enroll in Medicare when you turn 65. If you become eligible for Medicare because of disability, the only difference is that if the company has 100 or more employees, the GHP coverage is primary, under 100 employees, it is secondary. Always confirm the type of coverage you have with your employer. To find out more, contact a PA MEDI counselor by calling your local senior center to set up an 

Show All Answers

1. What is Medicare's Annual Open Enrollment Period?
2. How and when do I enroll in Medicare?
3. How does Medicare work with employer based insurance?
4. Am I covered by Medicare if my spouse or I is employed?
5. When can I switch my Medicare plan?
6. Does Medicare Cover COVID-19 Costs?
7. Do I need Medicare Part D?
8. Does Medicare cover vaccines?
9. What if one or more of my drugs is no longer covered by my Medicare drug plan?
10. What happens if you lose your Employer Group Health Plan when you are eligible for Medicare?
11. What's new for 2023?
12. When are the Medicare General Enrollment Period and the Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period?
13. How do I avoid Medicare scams?
14. What are 5-Star plans and when can I enroll?
15. How can I get help paying for Medicare Part B and Part D?
16. What are the different parts of Medicare?
17. How do I update my contact information if I'm moving?
18. Can I change my Medicare Advantage or Medicare Prescription Drug Plan anytime?
19. How do I create a Medicare account?