You’re turning 65.

Your Medicare card is coming.

But you’re also still working in Delray Beach—or perhaps you’re covered through a spouse who’s still working.

Then someone tells you:

“Just take the free Part A. You don’t need Part B until you retire.”

That advice might be appropriate.

It also might create a costly mistake.

The question isn’t simply whether you’re still working.

The more important question is:

What kind of health insurance do you have, and how does it coordinate with Medicare?

For some people approaching 65, enrolling in Medicare Part A only while delaying Part B can make sense.

For others, delaying Part B can potentially create coverage gaps and a late-enrollment penalty.

Before making the decision, here’s what Delray Beach residents should know.

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First: What Does Medicare Part A Cover?

Medicare Part A is primarily hospital insurance.

It helps cover qualifying:

• Inpatient hospital care
• Skilled nursing facility care
• Hospice care
• Certain home health care

Most people don’t pay a monthly premium for Part A because they or their spouse paid Medicare taxes long enough while working.

That’s one reason someone approaching 65 might think:

“If Part A doesn’t cost me anything, why wouldn’t I take it?”

For many people, enrolling in premium-free Part A makes sense.

But there is an important exception we’ll discuss later:

Health Savings Accounts (HSAs).

Before enrolling in Part A while continuing to contribute to an HSA, understand how Medicare enrollment can affect those contributions.

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What Does Medicare Part B Cover?

Part B is medical insurance.

It generally helps cover things such as:

• Doctor visits
• Outpatient care
• Preventive services
• Durable medical equipment
• Certain home health services
• Other medically necessary services

Unlike premium-free Part A, most Medicare beneficiaries pay a monthly Part B premium.

The standard Part B premium for 2026 is $202.90 per month, although some beneficiaries pay more because of their income.

That creates an obvious question for someone who already has employer insurance:

Why pay another $202.90 every month if my employer plan already covers me?

That’s a reasonable question.

And it’s exactly why Medicare allows some people with qualifying employer coverage to delay Part B without a late-enrollment penalty. Medicare explains the current Part B penalty rules in its guide to avoiding Medicare enrollment penalties.

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When Might Someone Delay Medicare Part B?

According to the Social Security Administration’s guidance for people working at 65, you may not need to enroll in Part B at 65 if you’re covered by a group health plan based on your or your spouse’s current employment.

In that situation, you may qualify for a Special Enrollment Period that allows you to enroll in Part B later without the normal late-enrollment penalty.

Notice the important words:

Current employment.

Not simply:

“I have insurance.”

That distinction can make all the difference.

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Ask This Question Before Delaying Part B

If you’re approaching 65 and have other insurance, ask your employer’s benefits administrator:

“Is my health insurance based on my or my spouse’s current active employment, and how will this plan coordinate with Medicare once I turn 65?”

Don’t settle for:

“You’re covered.”

You need to know how that coverage works after Medicare eligibility begins.

Medicare and Social Security specifically recommend talking with the employer or union benefits administrator to understand how job-based coverage works with Medicare. SSA’s Medicare enrollment guidance explains that delaying Part B may make sense when you’re covered through an employer group health plan.

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“I Have Insurance” Doesn’t Automatically Mean You Can Safely Delay Part B

This is one of the most important sections of this guide.

There are several types of health coverage that people commonly mistake for active employer coverage.

According to Medicare and Social Security, coverage based on current employment generally does not include:

• COBRA
• Retiree health coverage
• VA health coverage
• Individual Marketplace coverage

Those forms of coverage don’t provide the same Part B Special Enrollment Period protection as qualifying insurance based on current employment.

Let’s look at two of the biggest traps.

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The COBRA Trap

Imagine you retire at 65.

Your employer offers COBRA.

You think:

“Great. I’ll keep COBRA for 18 months and enroll in Part B when COBRA ends.”

That could create a serious problem.

Medicare specifically warns that COBRA isn’t considered group health coverage based on current employment for the Part B Special Enrollment Period.

Your Part B enrollment window is generally tied to when your active employment or employer coverage ends—not when COBRA eventually ends.

Medicare says you generally have 8 months after you stop working or lose qualifying job-based health coverage, whichever happens first, to enroll in Part B without a penalty. Read Medicare’s COBRA and Medicare guidance.

Waiting until COBRA expires could mean you’ve already missed your Part B Special Enrollment Period.

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Retiree Insurance Can Create a Similar Misunderstanding

Retiree coverage isn’t the same thing as health insurance based on current employment either.

Medicare warns that when someone becomes Medicare eligible, they may need both Part A and Part B to receive the full benefits of their retiree health plan.

Some retiree plans may not pay medical expenses during a period when you were eligible for Medicare but didn’t enroll.

If you’re transitioning from active employment into retiree coverage, don’t assume the retiree plan replaces the need for Part B.

Ask the benefits administrator exactly how the retiree coverage coordinates with Medicare.

Medicare explains retiree insurance and Medicare here.

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What Happens When Your Employer Coverage Ends?

Suppose you delayed Part B appropriately because you were covered through your or your spouse’s current employment.

Eventually, that employment ends.

Now the clock matters.

Social Security says you can generally enroll in Part B:

• While you’re still working and covered by the group health plan, or
• During the 8-month period after the employment or qualifying group health coverage ends, whichever occurs first.

That’s your Part B Special Enrollment Period. SSA explains the Part B Special Enrollment Period here.

You don’t necessarily need to wait until the eight-month deadline.

In fact, waiting could create an unnecessary coverage gap.

Planning the transition before your employer insurance ends is usually much easier.

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What If You Miss the Part B Enrollment Window?

This is where delaying Part B can become expensive.

If you don’t enroll when first eligible and don’t qualify for a Special Enrollment Period, you may eventually need to use Medicare’s General Enrollment Period, which runs from January 1 through March 31 each year.

Your coverage generally begins the month after you enroll. Medicare explains Part A and Part B enrollment periods here.

And then there’s the penalty.

Medicare says the Part B late-enrollment penalty generally adds:

10% for each full 12-month period you could have had Part B but didn’t enroll.

For example, if someone delayed for two full years without qualifying for a Special Enrollment Period, Medicare’s example shows a 20% Part B penalty added to the applicable standard premium. See Medicare’s Part B late-enrollment penalty examples.

And unlike a one-time fine, the Part B penalty can generally continue for as long as you have Part B.

That’s why “I’ll figure it out later” isn’t a good Medicare strategy.

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Don’t Forget the HSA Question

This is another major reason someone may not want to automatically enroll in premium-free Part A at 65.

If you’re contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA), Medicare enrollment changes the rules.

Social Security warns that contributing to an HSA after Medicare coverage begins may result in additional taxes.

There’s another complication.

If you’re over 65 and enroll in premium-free Part A later, your Part A coverage can generally be retroactive for up to six months, but not earlier than the month you first became eligible.

Medicare confirms this retroactive Part A rule in its coverage start-date guidance.

That retroactive coverage can affect HSA contribution planning.

So if you’re approaching 65, still working, enrolled in an HSA-qualified health plan, and contributing to an HSA:

Don’t automatically enroll in Part A before reviewing the HSA consequences.

Speak with your employer benefits administrator and a qualified tax professional about your particular situation.

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Part A Only: When Might It Make Sense?

A common scenario might look like this:

You’re turning 65.

You’re still actively working.

You have qualifying group health coverage based on your current employment.

You’ve confirmed how the employer plan coordinates with Medicare.

You’re not making HSA contributions that would create a problem.

In that situation, someone might choose:

Medicare Part A

while delaying:

Medicare Part B

until their qualifying employer coverage ends.

But this shouldn’t be treated as a universal strategy.

Your employer plan, HSA situation, spouse’s coverage and retirement timeline can all change the answer.

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Part A + Part B: When Might That Make More Sense?

Another person approaching 65 might have very different circumstances.

For example:

• They’re retiring at 65
• Their active employer coverage is ending
• They’re moving onto COBRA
• They only have retiree insurance
• They have individual Marketplace insurance
• Their employer plan requires Medicare to become primary
• They need Part B to coordinate properly with other coverage

In those circumstances, delaying Part B could be problematic.

This is why two Delray Beach residents turning 65 on the same day can legitimately make different Medicare enrollment decisions.

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What About Employer Size?

Employer size can also affect which insurance pays first when you have both Medicare and employer coverage.

Medicare’s coordination-of-benefits rules determine whether Medicare or an employer group health plan pays first in different situations.

Rather than assuming the rule based only on company size, use Medicare’s Who Pays First tool and confirm the answer with your benefits administrator.

This is especially important for people working for smaller businesses or covered through a spouse’s employer.

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Seven Questions to Ask Before Delaying Part B

Before deciding on Medicare Part A only in Delray Beach, get answers to these questions.

1. Is my coverage based on current employment?

This is one of the most important questions for Part B Special Enrollment Period eligibility.

2. Whose employment provides the coverage?

Yours?

Your spouse’s?

Former employment?

3. Which plan pays first after I turn 65?

Ask the employer benefits administrator.

4. Does my employer require me to enroll in Medicare?

Don’t assume.

Get the answer directly from the benefits department and plan documents.

5. Am I contributing to an HSA?

If yes, understand Medicare’s impact before enrolling in Part A.

6. When exactly will my employer coverage end?

You need this date to coordinate Part B enrollment.

7. What happens if I delay Part B?

Make sure you understand whether you’ll qualify for a Special Enrollment Period later.

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How Do You Add Part B Later?

Suppose you already enrolled in Part A and appropriately delayed Part B because you had qualifying employer coverage.

Now you’re retiring.

Medicare provides a specific process for adding Part B.

According to Medicare’s Part B enrollment forms guide, people enrolling in Part B after job-based coverage may use:

CMS-40B — Application for Enrollment in Medicare Part B

and

CMS-L564 — Request for Employment Information

The employment form helps establish that you had qualifying job-based health insurance.

Social Security also allows eligible individuals to apply online for Part B during this Special Enrollment Period. SSA’s Part B enrollment page explains the current process.

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Don’t Wait Until Your Last Day of Work

If you know you’re retiring soon, don’t wait until the day your employer coverage disappears to begin figuring this out.

Start several months beforehand.

Confirm:

☐ Your retirement date

☐ Employer coverage end date

☐ Part B enrollment timing

☐ Desired Part B effective date

☐ Prescription coverage

☐ Medicare Advantage or Medigap considerations

☐ HSA contribution timing

☐ Whether your spouse or dependents will lose employer coverage

This gives you time to coordinate the transition instead of trying to fix a coverage gap after it happens.

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Part A and Part B Aren’t Your Only Medicare Decisions

Enrolling in Original Medicare is only the beginning.

Once you have the Medicare parts required for your situation, you may also need to evaluate:

• Medicare Advantage
• Medicare Supplement
• Medicare Part D
• Employer retiree coverage
• Prescription drug coverage
• Dental, vision and hearing needs
• Financial assistance programs

That’s why we generally don’t view Medicare enrollment as a single yes-or-no question.

It’s a series of decisions that need to fit together.

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Start With Your Situation Before Choosing Coverage

If you’re approaching 65, our Free Medicare Needs Assessment can help organize the questions you should be considering.

The assessment looks at factors such as:

• Your Medicare eligibility
• Current employer insurance
• Spouse’s coverage
• Retirement plans
• Doctors
• Prescriptions
• Healthcare needs
• Budget
• Coverage priorities

That gives us a better starting point than simply saying:

“Everyone should enroll in everything at 65.”

or:

“Everyone who’s still working should delay Part B.”

Neither statement is universally correct.

Complete the Free Medicare Needs Assessment or call Medicare Plan Assistance at (561) 808-9410.

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Local Medicare Enrollment Help in Delray Beach

If you’re turning 65 while working, retiring, or covered through your spouse, you don’t need to guess which Medicare enrollment path applies.

Medicare Plan Assistance helps Delray Beach and Palm Beach County residents understand:

• Medicare Part A
• Medicare Part B
• Turning 65 enrollment
• Employer insurance and Medicare
• Medicare Advantage
• Medicare Supplement
• Medicare Part D

For questions involving your employer coverage, we’ll encourage you to verify the plan’s rules directly with your benefits administrator.

For Medicare enrollment, Social Security remains the agency responsible for enrolling people in Part A and Part B. You can review the official process through Medicare’s Part A and Part B sign-up guide.

For help understanding how the pieces fit together:

📞 Call Medicare Plan Assistance at (561) 808-9410.

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Final Thoughts: Don’t Automatically Enroll—and Don’t Automatically Delay

If you’re approaching 65 in Delray Beach, there’s no universal rule saying:

“Take Part A and delay Part B.”

There’s also no universal rule saying:

“Everyone must take Part A and Part B immediately at 65.”

The right decision depends on your situation.

Before deciding, determine:

What coverage do I have?

Is it based on current employment?

How does it coordinate with Medicare?

Will I qualify for a Part B Special Enrollment Period?

Do I contribute to an HSA?

When will I retire?

Those answers matter much more than what your coworker, neighbor or friend did when they turned 65.

If you’re approaching Medicare eligibility and want help organizing your options, complete our Free Medicare Needs Assessment or call Medicare Plan Assistance at (561) 808-9410.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I enroll in Medicare Part A but delay Part B?

Yes, in some circumstances. Someone with qualifying group health coverage based on their or their spouse’s current employment may be able to delay Part B and use a Special Enrollment Period later. Your individual coverage should be verified before delaying Part B.

Do I need Medicare Part B if I’m still working at 65?

Not necessarily. Social Security explains that someone with qualifying group health coverage based on their or their spouse’s current employment may be able to delay Part B without a late-enrollment penalty.

Does COBRA allow me to delay Medicare Part B?

COBRA isn’t considered coverage based on current employment for the normal Part B Special Enrollment Period. Medicare generally gives you eight months after active employment or qualifying job-based coverage ends, whichever happens first, to enroll in Part B without a penalty.

Does retiree insurance count as current employer coverage for Part B?

No. Retiree coverage isn’t considered coverage based on current employment for the normal Part B Special Enrollment Period. Your retiree plan may also require you to have Medicare Part A and Part B for the plan to provide its full benefits.

What is the Medicare Part B late-enrollment penalty?

Generally, the penalty is an additional 10% of the standard Part B premium for each full 12-month period you could have enrolled in Part B but didn’t, unless you qualify for an exception such as a Special Enrollment Period.

Can Medicare Part A affect my HSA?

Yes. Once Medicare coverage begins, HSA contribution rules become important. Premium-free Part A can also be retroactive for up to six months when someone enrolls after 65, which can affect HSA contribution planning.

How long do I have to enroll in Part B after employer coverage ends?

If you qualify for the Special Enrollment Period based on current employment coverage, you generally have an eight-month period after the employment or group health plan coverage ends, whichever occurs first.

Where can I get Medicare enrollment help in Delray Beach?

Medicare Plan Assistance provides local Medicare guidance in Delray Beach and throughout Palm Beach County. Complete the Free Medicare Needs Assessment or call (561) 808-9410.