When Does Medicare Become the Primary Payer?
Medicare becomes primary when you stop working, lose employer coverage, have an employer with fewer than 20 employees, or when your COBRA or retiree coverage begins. It's also primary after the ESRD coordination period ends.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is COBRA primary or secondary to Medicare?
- Medicare is primary when you have COBRA. COBRA only pays secondary amounts. You should have Part B in place before relying on COBRA with Medicare.
- What about retiree coverage?
- Medicare is primary and retiree coverage is secondary. Retiree plans are designed to supplement Medicare, not replace it.
- Does the 20-employee rule apply to disability Medicare too?
- For disability Medicare (under 65), the threshold is 100 employees, not 20.