Medicare vs. Employer Coverage: Which Is Better?

If you're 65 and still working, you may have a choice between keeping your employer's group health plan or enrolling in Medicare. The right answer depends on cost, coverage, and the size of your employer.

If your employer has fewer than 20 employees, Medicare usually becomes your primary coverage at 65 — and delaying enrollment could leave you with major gaps. For employers with 20+ employees, you typically can delay Part B without penalty.

Compare total costs: employer premiums and deductibles vs. Medicare's premiums, plus a Supplement or Advantage plan. Many people find Medicare costs less for better coverage — but spouse and dependent coverage can change the math.

This is one of the most common questions we get. We'll run a side-by-side comparison so you can see real numbers before you make a decision you can't easily reverse.