Moving to Medicare
If you're eligible for Medicare, learn what it means for your Covered California insurance and what you need to do next.
What is Medicare?
Medicare is a federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, certain younger people with disabilities and people with permanent kidney failure (end-stage renal disease).
Medicare includes several parts that cover different services, including hospital care, medical care and prescription drugs. Covered California does not sell Medicare plans. For details on what each part covers, visit Medicare.gov.
Transitioning From Covered California to Medicare
In general, people who are eligible for Medicare, even if they don’t enroll in it, aren’t eligible for financial help to lower the monthly premium for a Covered California health plan.
Medicare enrollment is not automatic unless you currently receive Social Security benefits. If you’re approaching 65, you can sign up during your seven-month initial enrollment period. That period starts three months before your birthday month and ends three months after.
If you are eligible for Medicare:
- Report your Medicare eligibility to Covered California within 30 days.
- Cancel your health insurance plan through Covered California.
Your Covered California plan won’t be automatically canceled when you become eligible for Medicare, even if you enroll in a Medicare plan with the same health insurance company. You must cancel your plan at least 14 days before you want it to end by contacting Covered California.
Talk me through this
Discuss Your Medicare Options
Speak with Covered California about how to transition from a Covered California plan to Medicare.
If You Don’t Cancel Your Covered California Plan
If you’re eligible for Medicare and you keep your Covered California plan:
- You may have to pay back your financial help.
- Your Medicare coverage start date could be delayed.
Separately, if you don't sign up for Medicare Part B during your initial enrollment period, you may face a lifetime penalty that increases your monthly premium by 10 percent or more. You'd also have to wait for the general enrollment period (Jan. 1 to March 31), with your insurance starting the following July.
If You Have a Disability
If you've been determined disabled by the Social Security Administration, you'll be automatically enrolled in Medicare. This happens two years after you start getting SSDI income.
During those two years, you can keep a Covered California plan. Depending on your income and family size, you may also qualify for financial help or Medi-Cal.
If you have Medi-Cal instead, contact your local county office. They can tell you if you still qualify for programs that lower your Medicare costs.
More Help With Your Insurance
Manage your account or get help with your transition to Medicare.