Social Security and Medicare Common Questions

Q: Can I delay Medicare beyond age 65 if I have insurance from an employer?

A: If the employer has 20 or more employees, you can delay Medicare enrollment until the job ends. You could, however, sign up for Medicare Part A only as a secondary insurance to your current employer plan.

Q: What if I have retiree health benefits or COBRA?

A: Retiree benefits and COBRA do not count as employer-provided coverage; you will need to sign up for Medicare.

Q: What happens if I don’t enroll at the right time?

A: You will have to sign up at a general enrollment time (coverage begins that July 1st). You will also have to pay Medicare penalties that will be added to your premiums for all future years.

Q: Can I have both Medicare and employer-provided insurance after age 65?

A: Again, the employer plan will be the primary, so it’s unlikely Medicare Part B would be worth the cost of paying the premium.

Q: What if my employer’s health plan includes a health savings account?

A: Once you enroll in any part of Medicare, you can no longer contribute to HSA accounts. You can draw on HSA funds but can’t add any.

Q: Where can I go for more info?

A: Social Security:

• Call 1-800-772-1213
• Website: www.ssa.gov

A: Medicare:

• Call 1-800-MEDICARE
• Website: www.medicare.gov