Can You Get Medicare While Still Working

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Written by: Vanessa Jerusalimiec (*Amsive Digital)  |  Reviewed by: Kristin Van Dusen  |  *MHP partners with Amsive Digital on news content


Applying for Medicare While Still Working

Are you turning 65? You can enroll in Medicare as soon as you reach 65, even if you’re still working. But before you apply for Medicare while still working, you’ll need to consider your current health insurance coverage.

Can You Get Medicare While Still Working?

If you’re still working at age 65, you can get Medicare while working. You qualify for Medicare if:

  • You’re 65 or over.
  • You’re a US citizen or permanent resident.
  • You are under 65 and you have a qualifying health condition such as ESRD.

You can enroll in Medicare after you retire, or you can enroll in Medicare as soon as you turn 65. It all depends on your current workplace health insurance.

Getting Coverage from Both Medicare and Workplace Insurance

Many Americans over 65 qualify for coverage from both Medicare and their workplace insurance. The two insurance plans will work together to lower your healthcare costs even more.

If you’ve been working for over 10 years, you qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A. Most older adults choose to enroll in Medicare Part A at 65, even while working. Since you won’t have to pay any premiums, it’s a good idea to enroll as soon as you turn 65 and enjoy the extra coverage.

Medicare and Small Employers

If you work for an employer with under 20 employees, Medicare Part A will become your primary insurance. Whenever you access healthcare, Medicare Part A will pay first. Then your employer insurance will pay second. You will pay any remaining amount after both your insurance policies have paid their portion.

Small employers often require you to enroll in Medicare Part A as soon as you turn 65. Enrolling as soon as you’re eligible is the best way to maintain your health insurance coverage.

Medicare and Large Employers

If you work for a large employer with over 20 employees, Medicare Part A will become your secondary insurance. Your employer insurance will pay first, and Medicare Part A will pay second. Large companies usually don't require you to enroll in Medicare.

Enrolling in Medicare Part B

If you’re still working at 65, you don’t have to enroll in Medicare Part B. Instead, you can keep using your workplace health insurance along with Medicare Part A. You will be able to enroll in Part B when you retire. At that time, you’ll have a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) to sign up for Medicare Part B. If you do enroll in Medicare Part B while working, you will need to pay the Part B premiums, as well as any employer premiums.

Avoiding Late Penalties

Have you been worried about late penalties? If you’re retired at age 65, you will need to enroll in Medicare Part B right away to avoid late enrollment penalties. But if you’re still working at age 65, you won’t have to pay a late enrollment penalty. Instead, you’ll need to enroll during your SEP when you retire. You’ll only get a late penalty if you miss your SEP.

Enrolling in Medicare Part D

Does your workplace insurance have a prescription drug plan? If you have medication coverage you don’t need to enroll in Medicare Part D when you turn 65. But if your employer insurance does not include drug coverage, you’ll need to enroll in Medicare Part D at 65 to avoid a late penalty.

Medicare While Still Working

Before you turn 65, take some time to review your employer's health insurance. You may be able to rely on your employer insurance and enroll in Medicare Part A as secondary insurance. Or you may need to enroll in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part D to make sure you have the coverage you need. It all depends on your healthcare needs and your current workplace insurance.