Medicare and You: Getting Started

Your Other Health Plans

If you’re 65 or older and are still covered by a group health plan through your spouse or employer, or through a retiree, union or private plan, you might not need Medicare right away, or you may need only a part of it.

Your health care resources over and above those available through Medicare will have a major impact on how you use Medicare and how much you will pay for the benefits Medicare offers.

Before making a decision whether or not to use Medicare, or changing any of your non-Medicare health care coverage, find out how your decisions will affect your overall health insurance portfolio.

Medicare and/or your insurer or benefits manager at your employer or union can answer your questions — and it doesn’t hurt to confirm answers by speaking with a second source. Never drop your private coverage without fully understanding the consequences. You might not be able to get it back!

For more information about coordinating Medicare with your other medical coverage, see the articles "Medicare When Working Beyond Age 65" and "What if You Have Other Health Coverage?" Or download the Medicare publication Medicare and Other Benefits: Your Guide to Who Pays First.

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