Coverage through current work
Confirm who pays first, whether drug coverage is creditable, and what happens when work or coverage ends.
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Reviewed for accuracy by Lauri Middleton, RN, MSN, licensed Medicare agentReviewed for clarity by Karen OrillaMeet our reviewers →
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California Medicare Guidance
Work, income or location changed
A change can affect your next steps. Verify the event, date and coverage with the responsible agency before changing anything.
Work, income or location changed
A change can affect your next steps. Verify the event, date and coverage with the responsible agency before changing anything.
Open official resourceFree Medicare counseling
California HICAP offers free, confidential Medicare counseling. Ask the local program about language and appointment availability.
Open official resourceExternal resource. Some pages are in English; ask for language assistance if needed.
California rulebook
After job coverage ends you have 8 months for Part B
If you delayed Part B because you or your spouse had coverage from current work, you get a Special Enrollment Period: 8 months starting the month after the job or the coverage ends, whichever comes first. Signing up in that time avoids the Part B penalty.
Who this is for
People 65+ who kept coverage from their own or a spouse’s current employer.
What changes it
- COBRA and retiree coverage do not start or extend this period.
The question that settles it
“My job coverage ends on [date]. When does my 8-month Part B Special Enrollment Period end?” — Social Security.
Source: Social Security Administration — Sign up for Part B only ↗
Drug coverage has a much shorter clock: about two months
When creditable drug coverage from work ends, you generally have two months to join a Medicare drug plan without a penalty. This clock is separate from — and much shorter than — the 8-month Part B clock.
Who this is for
People leaving job-based drug coverage after 65.
What changes it
- If the work coverage was not creditable, the penalty clock may already be running.
The question that settles it
“When exactly does my drug coverage end, and was it creditable?” — your benefits administrator, in writing.
A higher Part B bill is based on a tax return from two years ago — and can be appealed
If your income was above a threshold two years ago, Social Security adds an income-related amount (IRMAA) to your Part B and Part D premiums. If your income has since dropped because of a life-changing event — retirement, loss of a spouse, divorce, reduced work — you can ask Social Security to use your current income instead, using form SSA-44.
Who this is for
People whose Part B premium notice shows an income-related amount.
What changes it
- A drop in income without a qualifying life-changing event usually has to wait for the normal two-year cycle.
The question that settles it
“My income dropped because of [event]. Can I file SSA-44 to lower my Part B premium?” — Social Security.
If you missed your window, there is a yearly catch-up period
The General Enrollment Period runs January 1 through March 31 every year. If you sign up then, coverage starts the month after you sign up. A late-enrollment penalty may still apply.
Who this is for
People who did not sign up during their first window and do not qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.
What changes it
- A Special Enrollment Period, if one applies, is usually the better route because it may avoid the penalty.
The question that settles it
“Do I qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, or do I need to wait for the General Enrollment Period?” — Social Security.
A claim or service was denied
Deadlines and steps depend on the notice and coverage. Keep the notice and contact Medicare or HICAP for help.
Get help
Free Medicare counseling
California HICAP offers free, confidential Medicare counseling. Ask the local program about language and appointment availability.
California HICAP1-800-MEDICARE
Call 1-800-MEDICARE and ask for an interpreter. TTY: 1-877-486-2048.
Call Medicare · 1-800-633-4227Official information in other languages ↗External resource. Some pages are in English; ask for language assistance if needed.