By Daniel Petkevich
Jul 15, 2025
The moment you turn 65, Medicare is expected to pay first. If you stick with COBRA but don’t enroll in Parts A and B, your COBRA plan can refuse most of the bill—leaving you on the hook for what Medicare would’ve paid.
COBRA isn’t “active-employment” coverage, so it doesn’t stop the penalty clock. You have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period that starts the month after employment—or the group plan—ends to sign up for Part B. Miss it and you’ll owe an extra 10 % on your Part B premium for every 12 months you delayed, for life.
If COBRA started before you became Medicare-eligible, the employer can end your COBRA as soon as you sign up for Part A and B. Your spouse and dependents may stay on COBRA (up to 36 months), but your own coverage usually terminates.
Some COBRA plans offer “creditable” prescription coverage—others don’t. Go more than 63 days without creditable drug coverage after becoming Medicare-eligible and you’ll face a Part D penalty (1 % of the national base premium for every month you delayed). Always ask the plan for its annual “creditable-coverage” notice.
Your six-month, one-time Medigap Open Enrollment Period starts when you take Part B. If you delay Part B while lounging on COBRA and your health changes, you may be denied a Medigap policy—or charged more—when you finally apply.
Most people pay the full employer premium—often $600-plus per month—while Medicare Part B runs about $185/month in 2025, and many Medigap Plan G quotes fall below $250. The math rarely favors staying on COBRA once Medicare is available. (Compare your exact numbers to be sure.)
COBRA is great as a short bridge before 65, but once Medicare calls, hanging on to COBRA can leave you with denied claims, lifelong penalties, and higher premiums. Enroll in Medicare on time and consider Medigap or a Medicare Advantage plan for complete, penalty-free coverage.
Our licensed Medicare advocates can walk you through the timelines and run side-by-side cost comparisons—no cost, no pressure. Call 888-376-2028 today.
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