"Medicare Annual Election Period (AEP) is Oct 15 – Dec 7. Schedule your mandatory annual prescription and plan review today!"
🏢 Step 1: Check Your Company's Size
The federal government uses your employer's employee count to determine whether Medicare or your work insurance pays your medical bills first:
20 or More Employees: If your company has 20 or more active workers, your group health plan remains your Primary insurance. Medicare acts as Secondary. You can safely delay enrolling in Medicare Part B without facing any late penalties!
Fewer than 20 Employees: If your business has fewer than 20 workers, Medicare automatically becomes Primary the month you turn 65. If you do not enroll in Part A and Part B immediately, your group plan can legally refuse to pay your medical bills, leaving you 100% exposed!
💰 Should You Keep Your Work Insurance Anyway?
Even if your company has 20+ employees, it is smart to run a side-by-side financial comparison. Many working seniors discover that transitioning to a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan actually gives them:
Lower total monthly out-of-pocket costs compared to high employer family deductibles.
Total network freedom to see any doctor nationwide without corporate restrictions.
🔑 The Special Enrollment Window (SEP)
When you finally choose to retire or leave your employer group plan, you do not have to wait for the standard fall enrollment season. Losing your work coverage triggers a 8-month Special Enrollment Period (SEP). During this window, you can transition to Medicare Parts A and B with zero late penalties and absolute seamless continuity of coverage.
👉 Unsure if your employer plan is considered "creditable" coverage? Let’s audit your plan together.