Last updated July 2, 2024
When to use:
Caller is asking for Medicare help and has or had employer insurance.
Caller still has employer coverage when Medicare eligible:
| What to do | More information |
| Sign up for Part A - for most this will be automatic In most cases, should only delay Part B if job-based insurance is the primary payer (more than 20 employees) and Medicare is secondary | Job-based insurance when you turn 65 |
Prescription drug coverage Ensure that the employer coverage has Creditable Drug Coverage (employer Rx coverage is as good as or better than Medicare Part D). The employer HR department should know if the coverage is creditable or not OR should be able to find out if it is by working with the plan. Make sure to let the beneficiary know to obtain a copy of creditable drug coverage in writing for their records as they will need this when they do enroll into Part D to avoid a penalty. If the employer coverage is not creditable, then the person will either need to enroll into a Part D plan or delay enrollment and have a penalty. | Medicare Interactive - Creditable drug coverage explanation CMS.gov - Creditable drug coverage history Medicare. gov - Part D and other coverage Medicare.gov - 3 ways to avoid the Part D late enrollment penalty |
Caller's employment ended:
| What to do | More information |
| Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to enroll in Part B up to eight months after no longer have coverage from current work. | |
| COBRA: lets certain employees and their spouses keep employer insurance for 18 to 36 months after they leave their job as long as they pay the full cost of the premium plus an administrative fee. COBRA coverage usually ends on the date they get Medicare. They should enroll in Part B immediately because they are not entitled to a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) when COBRA ends. | COBRA and Medicare coordination
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Health Savings Account (HSA):
| What to do | More information |
If a person enrolls in Medicare Part A and/or Part B, they can no longer contribute pre-tax dollars to the HSA. An HSA is NOT the same as a Medicare Advantage Medical Savings Account. Minnesota does not have any Medicare Advantage Medical Savings Accounts. | Health Savings Accounts (HSAs) and Medicare |