If you are age 65 or older, you or your spouse are still working and you are covered under a group health plan based on that current employment, you may not need to apply for Medicare medical insurance (Part B) at age 65. You may qualify for a “Special Enrollment Period” (SEP) that will let you sign up for Part B:
* During any month you remain covered under the group health plan and your, or your spouse’s, current employment continues; or
* In the eight-month period that begins with the month after your group health plan coverage or the current employment it is based on ends, whichever comes first.
* If your group health plan coverage is based on severance or retirement pay and the job your coverage is based on ended in the last eight months.
If your group health plan coverage or the employment it is based on ends during your initial enrollment period for Medicare Part B, you do not qualify for a SEP. Your initial enrollment period starts three months before the month you attain age 65 and ends three months after the month you turn 65. COBRA and retiree health plans aren’t considered coverage based on current employment.