Medicare Supplement Insurance

Changes to the employer’s health plan can affect whether your coverage remains creditable for Medicare Part B. Review any plan updates carefully and contact the employer’s benefits office to confirm whether the coverage is still considered creditable.

If you later enroll in Medicare Part B during a Special Enrollment Period, you may be required to submit Form CMS-L564, which you and the employer completes to verify that you had creditable employer coverage. Keeping documentation of your coverage can help you avoid potential gaps in Medicare coverage and a late enrollment penalty.

The best age to sign up for Original Medicare depends on your individual circumstances. If you are eligible for Medicare and not working, it is generally recommended that you enroll in Medicare when you turn 65 to avoid any potential penalties. However, if you are still working and have health insurance through your employer, you may be able to delay enrolling in Medicare without penalty. Contact Medicare or your employer benefits office for details on Medicare enrollment criteria.

If you’re already collecting Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board benefits, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Part A and Part B when you turn 65. (Keep in mind that even though the earliest you can take Social Security early is when you are 62 years old — you can’t get Medicare until you’re 65.)

If you’ve been receiving Social Security disability benefits for 24 months, you’ll be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B starting in month 25 (even if you’re under the age of 65). If you have amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, you’ll get Parts A and B automatically during the same month that your Social Security disability benefits start.