Can I Delay Part B With a Spouse's 20+ Employer Plan?
Yes. If your spouse is actively working for an employer with 20 or more employees and their plan covers you, you may wait on Part B without a penalty. When your spouse's 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 my spouse need to be 65?
- No. Your spouse can be any age. What matters is that they are actively employed at an employer with 20 or more employees and their plan covers you.
- What happens when my spouse retires?
- Your 8-month Special Enrollment Period begins when your spouse's active employment or active employer coverage ends, whichever comes first. Enroll in Part B during that window to avoid a penalty.
- Does COBRA after my spouse's retirement extend my Part B delay?
- No. COBRA is not active employer coverage for Medicare purposes. Your 8-month SEP starts when active employment ends — not when COBRA ends. Enroll in Part B before or during that 8-month window.