Direct answer
Active employer group health coverage may qualify you for a Special Enrollment Period. Coverage through COBRA, a retiree plan, or other non-current-employment coverage generally does not work the same way.
What to verify
- Whether the insurance is based on your current employment or your spouse’s current employment.
- How the employer plan coordinates with Medicare based on employer size and your circumstances.
- When the employment or group coverage will end.
- Whether you have a Health Savings Account, because Medicare enrollment can affect HSA contribution eligibility.
Special Enrollment Period
For many people with qualifying current-employment group coverage, the Part B Special Enrollment Period is available while that coverage continues and for eight months after the employment or coverage ends, whichever happens first. Do not wait for COBRA to end before checking the deadline.
Action to take
Ask the employer benefits administrator how the plan coordinates with Medicare, then confirm the enrollment rule with Social Security before delaying Part B.