Is COBRA Creditable Coverage for Medicare Part B? The Real Rule
No. COBRA does not count as employer coverage for purposes of delaying Medicare Part B. COBRA is secondary to Medicare, and electing COBRA does not give you a Special Enrollment Period.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I have both COBRA and Medicare?
- Yes, but Medicare pays first and COBRA pays second. COBRA typically pays less when Medicare is primary.
- When does my SEP start — when COBRA ends or employment ends?
- Your SEP starts when your active employment or employer group coverage ends, not when COBRA ends. This is a common and costly mistake.
- Should I take COBRA or just go to Medicare?
- If you're Medicare-eligible, enrolling in Medicare is generally more important than COBRA. Medicare provides more comprehensive primary coverage.