SHOULD YOU ENROLL IF YOU'RE STILL WORKING?

If Your Employer Has 20+ Employees:

You may be able to delay Medicare enrollment without penalty if:

✅ You have creditable coverage through your employer
✅ Your employer's health plan is considered "primary" insurance

What you can do:

• Keep your employer plan and delay Medicare

• Enroll in Part A only (if premium-free) and delay Part B

• Enroll in both Medicare and keep your employer plan

Important:
You'll have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period after you stop working or lose coverage to enroll without penalties.

If Your Employer Has Fewer Than 20 Employees:

You must enroll in Medicare during your IEP, even if you're still working.

Why?
Medicare becomes your primary insurance, and your employer plan becomes secondary. If you don't enroll, you could face:

❌ Late enrollment penalties
❌ Gaps in coverage
❌ Higher out-of-pocket costs

If You're Covered by a Spouse's Employer Plan:

Rules vary depending on the employer's size and plan requirements. Talk to your spouse's benefits manager to determine if you need to enroll at 65.

HEALTH SAVINGS ACCOUNTS (HSAs) & MEDICARE

Important: You Cannot Contribute to an HSA After Enrolling in Medicare

If you have a Health Savings Account (HSA), be aware:

❌ Once you enroll in any part of Medicare, you can no longer contribute to your HSA
✅ You can still use existing HSA funds for qualified medical expenses, including Medicare premiums, deductibles, and copays

Planning tip:
If you want to continue contributing to your HSA, you may choose to delay Medicare enrollment (if eligible).

QUESTIONS TO ASK YOUR EMPLOYER'S BENEFITS MANAGER

Before making any Medicare decisions, talk to your employer's benefits manager and ask:

1. How many employees does the company have?
   (This determines if you can delay Medicare.)

2. Is our health plan considered "creditable coverage"?
   (This affects whether you can delay Part D without penalties.)

3. Will my employer plan work with Medicare, or do I need to choose one?
   (Some plans require you to drop employer coverage when you enroll in Medicare.)

4. What happens to my coverage if I enroll in Medicare?
   (Will your employer plan become secondary, or will it end?)

5. Do I need to provide proof of creditable coverage when I enroll in Medicare later?
   (You'll need this to avoid Part D penalties.)

COMMON MISTAKES TO AVOID

❌ Mistake #1: Missing Your Enrollment Deadline

The penalty:
Your Part B premium increases by 10% for each 12-month period you were eligible but didn't enroll. This penalty lasts for life.

The solution:
Mark your calendar and enroll during your IEP or Special Enrollment Period.

❌ Mistake #2: Assuming You're Automatically Enrolled

The truth:
Only people receiving Social Security benefits are automatically enrolled in Parts A & B. Everyone else must enroll manually.

The solution:
Don't wait for a Medicare card in the mail. Take action during your IEP.

❌ Mistake #3: Not Checking if Your Employer Coverage is Creditable

The penalty:
If your employer's drug coverage isn't "creditable" (as good as Medicare Part D), you'll face a Part D late enrollment penalty when you finally enroll.

The solution:
Ask your employer for a Notice of Creditable Coverage and keep it on file.

❌ Mistake #4: Enrolling in Medicare Without Understanding Costs

The surprise:
Medicare isn't free. You'll pay premiums, deductibles, copays, and coinsurance.

The solution:
Work with Kim to understand your total costs and find a plan that fits your budget.

HOW KIM HELPS YOU NAVIGATE TURNING 65

Kim's Turning 65 Consultation Includes:

✅ Personalized IEP timeline so you know exactly when to enroll
✅ Employer coverage review to determine if you can delay Medicare
✅ Plan comparison to find the best Medicare option for your needs
✅ Enrollment assistance to ensure you sign up correctly and on time
✅ Ongoing support for questions about claims, coverage, and plan changes

Best of all? Kim's services are 100% FREE.
She's compensated by insurance companies, not you.

Contact Kim: 816-436-9977