What to know
- Confirm the exact final day of employer coverage.
- Part B and drug-coverage deadlines are not identical.
- Retiree insurance may coordinate with Medicare rather than replace it.
Work backward from the coverage end date
Ask human resources for the precise date active coverage ends and whether any retiree coverage begins. Apply early enough to avoid a gap, using the instructions from Social Security for employer verification when required.
Separate the coverage decisions
Signing up for Part A and Part B is a different action from choosing how you will receive Medicare coverage. First establish the Medicare effective dates; then evaluate Original Medicare with possible supplemental and drug coverage versus Medicare Advantage.
Keep proof
Save notices showing active-employment coverage and its ending date. Also ask whether your prescription coverage was creditable and retain the annual creditable-coverage notice.
- Employment end date
- Health coverage end date
- Part B effective date
- Drug coverage deadline
- Retiree benefit rules