Job-based or employer insurance is insurance offered by an employer or union for current “active” employees and their family members.

Employer insurance is considered “active” if the employee or the spouse carrying the insurance is still working for the employer and not receiving retirement coverage.

Whether you need to enroll into Medicare at 65 if you continue to work and have health insurance through your job depends on how large the employer is and how much the employer insurance might cost.

The same rules apply if your health insurance comes from your spouse’s job. If you are eligible for Medicare due to age (meaning you are 65+) and are covered by your or your spouse’s active employer insurance, you have a special enrollment period (SEP) to enroll into Medicare Part B up to 8 months after you no longer have active coverage from your employer.

This means that you are not required to enroll into Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period (3 months before your 65th birth month, your birth month and 3 months after your 65th birth month).

This applies only if your employer is a large employer (20+ employees) AND you wish to continue to be covered by your active employer’s insurance or your spouse’s active employer insurance.

For more information and assistance with questions you may have about turning 65 years and enrolling into Medicare, Contact the Chautauqua County Office for Aging Services’ NY Connects Helpline at 716-661-7582 or log onto www.medicare.gov.