Leaving Group Coverage
Moving from employer group insurance to Medicare takes timing and paperwork. This guide walks through the process step by step.
The Timing Matters More Than Most People Expect
Leaving an employer health plan and starting Medicare is one of the transitions our advisors get the most calls about. The government has made the rules cumbersome, and when your Medicare coverage can begin depends on when you separate from your group plan.
This guide walks through the process: the employer paperwork that documents your coverage, how to enroll and what to ask for at the Social Security office, and the steps to settle before your last day on the group plan.
First published in 2018. A refreshed edition is planned; some figures inside reflect the rules in effect at publication.
- Why the timing of your separation affects when Medicare coverage can begin
- Why COBRA is treated differently than active employer group coverage
- The employer-completed form that documents your creditable coverage
- What to ask for at the Social Security office so you have proof of enrollment
- A step-by-step checklist, from paperwork to choosing a Medicare plan
What You'll Learn
When Coverage Can Begin
Your Medicare start date depends on when you leave the group plan relative to your eligibility. The guide maps the timing so you can plan your exit with confidence.
The COBRA Surprise
COBRA feels like employer coverage, but Medicare does not treat it the same way as an active group plan. Understand the difference before you rely on it.
Proof of Creditable Coverage
The employer-completed form that documents your group coverage, and why you want a copy from every employer that covered you after you became Medicare eligible.
A Step-by-Step Checklist
From gathering forms to enrolling in Medicare Parts A and B to giving your advisor what they need to complete your Medicare plan application.
Get the Full Guide
The complete guide with timing charts, the proof-of-coverage paperwork, and a step-by-step checklist for moving from group insurance to Medicare. No email required. No strings attached.
6 pages. Takes about 5 minutes to read.