Can you be on Medicare and COBRA at the same time?
Michael Gray
Updated on May 06, 2026
If you become eligible and enroll in Medicare before COBRA, the good news is that you can have both. Taking COBRA is optional, and depending on your situation, you may or may not want to. If you do decide to take COBRA, do not drop your Medicare plan.
Can you be on Medicare and COBRA?
If you have Medicare first and then become eligible for COBRA, you can have both Medicare and COBRA. It is important to remember that Medicare pays first and COBRA pays second.Does COBRA end when you become eligible for Medicare?
If you become entitled to Medicare after you've signed up for COBRA, your COBRA benefits cease. (But if COBRA covers your spouse and/or dependent children, their coverage may be extended for up to 36 months because you qualified for Medicare.)What happens if I turn 65 while on COBRA?
The risks in electing COBRA at 65 or older include missing Medicare Part B enrollment deadlines and paying premium penalties, having a gap in medical coverage and being responsible for large medical bills you didn't anticipate.Can my spouse go on COBRA If I go on Medicare?
But if your spouse became eligible for Medicare and then left his or her employment (and thus lost access to employer-sponsored coverage) within 18 months of becoming eligible for Medicare, you can continue your spousal coverage with COBRA for up to 36 months from the date your spouse became eligible for COBRA.How do Cobra and Medicare Work Together?
Is COBRA primary or secondary to Medicare?
If you have Medicare Part A or Part B when you become eligible for COBRA, you must be allowed to enroll in COBRA. Medicare is your primary insurance, and COBRA is secondary. You should keep Medicare because it is responsible for paying the majority of your health care costs.Can you have Medicare and employer insurance at the same time?
Medicare paying secondary means that your employer insurance pays first, and Medicare pays on some or all of the remaining costs. Medicare works with current employer coverage in different ways depending on the size of the employer.Do I need Medicare Part D if I have COBRA?
Typically, COBRA is not creditable drug coverage for Part D. However, if your plan is an exception, you'll have a Special Enrollment Period to join a Part D plan without a penalty. Refer to your plan administrator to confirm the creditability of your current drug coverage.How long can I stay on COBRA when I retire?
Retirees may use COBRA Insurance For 18 MonthsWhen a qualified beneficiary retires from their job, the retired worker is entitled for up to 18 months health insurance continuation, which is the maximum amount of time an employee can keep COBRA continuation.
Can I delay signing up for Medicare until the COBRA runs out?
If you have COBRA before signing up for Medicare, your COBRA will probably end once you sign up. You have 8 months to sign up for Part B without a penalty, whether or not you choose COBRA. If you miss this period, you'll have to wait until January 1 - March 31 to sign up, and your coverage will start July 1.Does Medicare coverage start the month you turn 65?
The date your coverage starts depends on which month you sign up during your Initial Enrollment Period. Coverage always starts on the first of the month. If you qualify for Premium-free Part A: Your Part A coverage starts the month you turn 65.Why is COBRA not creditable coverage?
COBRA is not normally considered to be creditable coverage for Medicare major medical benefits, so people who are enrolled in COBRA and do not enroll in Medicare Part B within 8 months of turning 65 face substantial financial penalties for the rest of their lives, even if they have months or years left on their COBRA ...How does working affect Medicare?
It depends on how you get your health insurance now and the number of employees that are in the company where you (or your spouse) work. Generally, if you have job-based health insurance through your (or your spouse's) current job, you don't have to sign up for Medicare while you (or your spouse) are still working.What does COBRA status allow?
The Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA) gives workers and their families who lose their health benefits the right to choose to continue group health benefits provided by their group health plan for limited periods of time under certain circumstances such as voluntary or involuntary job loss, ...When can COBRA be extended to 36 months?
The maximum coverage period may be extended to 36 months if a second qualifying event or multiple qualifying events occur within the initial 18 months of COBRA coverage from the first qualifying event. The coverage period runs from the start of the original 18-month coverage period.What is Medicare retirement age?
Generally, Medicare is available for people age 65 or older, younger people with disabilities and people with End Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant). Medicare has two parts, Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medicare Insurance).Can I get AARP health insurance at 62?
Full AARP membership is available to anyone age 50 and over.Does COBRA include prescription coverage?
Yes, COBRA Covers Pharmacy Prescriptions, If You Had That Coverage Previously. Yes. The COBRA law allows you and your dependents to continue on the exact same coverage that you had with the employer's group health plan.What happens to my Medicare if I go back to work?
If you're going back to work and can get employer health coverage that is considered acceptable as primary coverage, you are allowed to drop Medicare and re-enroll again without penalties. If you drop Medicare and don't have creditable employer coverage, you'll face penalties when getting Medicare back.What will Medicare not pay for?
In general, Original Medicare does not cover:Long-term care (such as extended nursing home stays or custodial care) Hearing aids. Most vision care, notably eyeglasses and contacts. Most dental care, notably dentures.
