Stopping Work? Coordinate Medicare Part B When Employer Coverage Ends
When you retire or stop working, your active employer coverage ends and your Medicare Part B 8-month Special Enrollment Period (SEP) opens — triggered by whichever comes first: your employment ending or your employer group health plan coverage ending. To avoid any gap, Medicare.gov recommends applying for Part B about a month before your employer coverage is scheduled to end. COBRA and retiree coverage do not count as active employer coverage and do not extend the 8-month SEP window.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How soon should I sign up for Part B?
- Apply for Part B about a month before your employer coverage ends to avoid a gap. Medicare.gov advises checking your coverage end date and submitting your application about one month in advance. You can apply up to 8 months after employment or coverage ends, but applying early avoids any gap.
- What forms do I need to apply for Part B?
- Use CMS Form 40B (Application for Enrollment in Part B) and CMS Form L564 (Request for Employment Information) completed by your former employer. Submit both to your local Social Security Administration office.
- Should I take COBRA or Medicare?
- Enroll in Part B before or when your employer coverage ends — do not rely on COBRA as a reason to delay. COBRA is secondary to Medicare and does not extend the 8-month SEP window.