Can I Delay Part B With a 20+ Employer Plan?
Yes. If your employer has 20 or more employees and you are actively working, your employer plan pays first and you may wait on Part B without a penalty. When active employment or coverage ends, you have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period to enroll in Part B. COBRA and retiree coverage do not carry the same protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does it matter whether I work full-time or part-time?
- No. What matters is that you are actively employed and the employer has 20 or more employees. Full-time and part-time status do not change the primary payer rule.
- What happens when I retire or lose coverage?
- You have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period starting when active employment or active employer coverage ends, whichever comes first. Enroll in Part B during that window to avoid a penalty.
- Does COBRA extend my ability to delay Part B?
- No. COBRA is not active employer coverage for Medicare purposes. Once you transition to COBRA after leaving work, your 8-month SEP has already started. Do not wait for COBRA to expire.