Can I have both Medicare Part B and employer coverage?

Yes, you can have both Medicare Part B and employer coverage, and they work together by designating one as primary (pays first) and the other as secondary (pays remaining costs) depending on your employer's size, with Medicare paying first if you have coverage through a small employer (under 20 employees) or a tribal plan. This dual coverage provides comprehensive benefits but means paying premiums for both, and it's crucial to coordinate to avoid claim issues, especially if you have an HSA.

Can I be on Medicare and my employer insurance at the same time?

Yes, you can have both employer insurance and Medicare at the same time, and they coordinate benefits to determine which pays first (primary) and which pays second (secondary), often depending on the size of your employer; it can offer broader coverage but involves paying two premiums, so weighing costs and benefits for your specific situation is important, notes GoodRx and Medicare.gov. 

Can I delay Medicare Part B if I have employer coverage?

Medicare rules allow you to delay enrollment in Medicare Part B and/or D when you are covered by an employer group health plan, regardless of the number of covered employees, if your health coverage is based on your or your spouse's current, active employment.

What two Medicare plans cannot be used at the same time?

You cannot have both a Medicare Advantage (Part C) plan and a Medicare Supplement (Medigap) plan at the same time, as they serve similar purposes but work in fundamentally different ways, offering two distinct paths to coverage beyond Original Medicare (Parts A & B). Choosing one means you cannot use the other; Medicare Advantage bundles benefits (often including drugs), while Medigap fills gaps in Original Medicare. 

Is it illegal to have two health insurance policies at the same time?

No, it's not illegal to have two health insurance plans; it's legal and common, often called dual coverage, but you must disclose both to the insurers, who use a coordination of benefits (COB) process to determine which pays first (primary) and which pays remaining costs (secondary) to avoid you exceeding your actual loss. Common scenarios include being on your own job's plan and a parent's, or a spouse's, or having Medicare and an employer plan. While it offers extra coverage, it means paying two premiums and managing more paperwork. 

Medicare Costs in 2026| What You Need to Know!

What are the cons of dual coverage?

Dual coverage can provide extra financial protection and access to additional services but can also lead to higher premiums, complex paperwork, and potential claims delays. As an employer, it's important to weigh these pros and cons when offering guidance on health insurance options.

Can you be covered by two health insurances at once?

Can I have two health insurance plans at the same time? Yes. A process called coordination of benefits determines which insurance plan will pay first. Your primary plan will pay for the health claim first, paying the costs up to the plan's coverage limits, and then your second plan will kick in.

What is the 2 2 2 rule in Medicare?

The "Medicare 2-2-2 Rule" refers to the Two-Midnight Rule, a guideline from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that helps determine if a patient should be an inpatient (covered by Medicare Part A) or an outpatient (observation status). If a doctor expects a patient to need hospital care for two midnights (meaning the stay crosses two midnights), it generally qualifies for inpatient billing; stays expected to be shorter may be outpatient, though complex cases can override this. This rule, established in 2013, aims to stop hospitals from keeping patients under observation for extended periods when inpatient care is truly needed, impacting billing and patient costs. 

What are the biggest mistakes people make with Medicare?

The biggest Medicare mistakes involve late enrollment (leading to penalties), not understanding the choice between Original Medicare & Medicare Advantage, failing to enroll in Part D (prescription drug) coverage, delaying Medigap (supplement) purchase, and assuming coverage stays the same year-to-year, missing the annual review to compare costs, providers, and drug formularies, which can lead to higher out-of-pocket costs. Many people also mistakenly think Medicare covers long-term care or that their spouse is automatically covered. 

What is the best secondary insurance if you have Medicare?

Best Medicare Supplement Insurance Companies in 2026

• UnitedHealthcare / AARP – Best Plan Pairing: Plan G or Plan N.
• Cigna Healthcare – Best Plan Pairing: Plan G.
• Humana – Best Plan Pairing: Plan N.
• Aetna (CVS Health) – Best Plan Pairing: Plan N.

Is it better to stay on employer insurance or Medicare?

This is unique for every plan, but generally speaking, Medicare tends to provide more benefits than employer coverage at a lower cost. If you have a high-premium or high-deductible plan through your employer (or your spouse's employer), switching to Medicare may be more cost-effective.

What if I'm still working at 65 and have my employer's health insurance?

Companies with 20 or more employees are required to continue offering health insurance to current workers and their spouses who are 65 or older. If you're insured under a plan from a company of that size, you have the option to enroll in Medicare and decline your group plan, but the employer can't force this decision.

How can I lower my Medicare premiums?

To lower Medicare premiums, report life events like retirement or divorce to Social Security using Form SSA-44 for an IRMAA appeal, apply for Extra Help for low-income subsidies, use HSA funds, explore Medicare Advantage plans with premium reimbursements, or deduct premiums on taxes; for Medigap, shop carriers or use state-specific enrollment periods. 

What is the best health insurance for seniors on Medicare?

The "best" Medicare plan depends on your needs, but top-rated providers for Medicare Advantage (Part C) in 2025-2026 include UnitedHealthcare, Humana, and Aetna, offering strong networks, $0 premium options, and extra benefits like dental/vision, while Kaiser Permanente excels in member satisfaction. For supplementing Original Medicare (Parts A & B), Medigap plans (like Plan G) from various insurers provide standardized coverage, focusing on cost savings, but require you to stay with Original Medicare. 

Can I cancel my employer health insurance when I get Medicare?

If you have a plan at work, especially if the premium is paid for by your employer, then you may not want to pay the extra money for Parts B and D. You can also decide if you want to get your Medicare coverage through a Part C plan. You can decide to sign up for Medicare and let go of your employer plan.

Is Medicare primary or secondary to employer coverage?

If you work for a company with fewer than 20 employees, Medicare is considered your primary coverage. That means Medicare pays first, and your employer coverage pays second. If you work for a larger company, your employer-based coverage will be your primary coverage and Medicare your secondary coverage.

What are the three words to remember for a Medicare wellness exam?

There isn't one single set of words, but common examples for the Medicare Wellness Exam's memory test (like the Mini-Cog) often include simple nouns like "Banana, Sunrise, Chair," or sometimes "Apple, Penny, Table," used to check your ability to recall them later, helping doctors assess cognitive function and memory. 

Why are doctors dropping Medicare patients?

Doctors are leaving Medicare or dropping Medicare Advantage (MA) patients primarily due to unsustainable reimbursement rates that don't cover rising practice costs (staff, overhead, inflation), burdensome paperwork, stringent prior authorization, and lowered negotiating power with large insurers, forcing many to choose between their financial viability and caring for seniors, leading to fewer provider options for patients. 

What are the 5 things Medicare does not cover?

Medicare (Original Parts A & B) generally doesn't cover **Long-Term Care, **Most Dental Care, **Routine Vision Care, **Hearing Aids & Exams, and Cosmetic Surgery, leaving gaps for daily needs like dentures, glasses, hearing aids, ongoing care, or elective procedures, though these can often be supplemented with Medicare Advantage (Part C) or Medigap Plans. 

What is the 7 minute rule for Medicare?

Enter the 8-Minute Rule

If eight or more minutes are left over, you can bill for one more unit; if seven or fewer minutes remain, you cannot bill an additional unit.

What is the new Medicare rule for 2025 for seniors?

In 2025, major Medicare changes focus on capping out-of-pocket prescription drug costs at $2,000 annually for Part D, eliminating the donut hole, and offering monthly payment plans for drug costs, alongside an increased Part B premium and deductible, new caregiver support programs like GUIDE, and mid-year benefit notifications for Medicare Advantage enrollees. While Part B costs rise, significant prescription cost relief kicks in, and integrated care options expand for dual-eligible members. 

Can you be double covered on Medicare?

Dual Medicare and Medi-Cal coverage can give you extra benefits and better value. If you have both Medicare and Medi-Cal, you may be eligible for extra benefits. Kaiser Permanente Dual Complete (HMO D-SNP) Plan lets you keep your Medi-Cal benefits and get more benefits than Original Medicare.

What happens if I'm covered under two medical insurances at the same time?

Your primary and secondary insurance will cover expenses only up to their individual plan limits. After the secondary insurance pays out, you may still have an amount left over. Therefore, you may still have out-of-pocket expenses even with two separate health insurance plans.

What happens if you don't disclose double insurance?

Disclosure requirements: Insurance policies usually require the insured to disclose any existing insurance coverage to the new insurer. Failing to disclose existing coverage could potentially result in a policy being voided or claims being denied.

Can having multiple policies be a red flag?

Having multiple insurance policies isn't inherently a red flag and can be smart for covering different needs (like a home and a car) or life stages, but it becomes a red flag if it's excessive ("overinsurance"), costly, confusing, or a sign of potential fraud (like trying to "double-dip" claims or manipulating policies for commissions). Insurers check for justification; multiple policies are fine if they match needs (income, debt, dependents) but not if they create unnecessary premiums or a risk of claiming twice for the same loss, says this source and this source.