How do I enroll in Part B after leaving employer coverage?
The short answer
When you leave employer coverage, you have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Medicare Part B without a late penalty. You'll need to file Form CMS-40B and, in most cases, Form CMS-L564 to prove you had employer coverage.
The full explanation
Losing employer coverage triggers a Special Enrollment Period, which gives you 8 months to sign up for Part B without facing a late enrollment penalty. That 8-month window starts the month after your employer coverage ends, or the month after your employment ends, whichever comes first. Don't wait for COBRA to run out. COBRA is continuation coverage, not employer-sponsored coverage in Medicare's eyes, and relying on it to delay Part B can lead to a penalty.To enroll, you'll complete two forms. Form CMS-40B is the actual Part B application. Form CMS-L564 is a request for employment information that your former employer fills out to confirm you had group health coverage. Once you have both completed, you can submit them to your local Social Security office, mail them, or in some cases handle it online through SSA.gov.If you're already receiving Social Security benefits, the process is slightly different and Social Security may reach out to you automatically. Either way, don't assume it happens on its own. It's worth calling Social Security directly or working with a licensed Medicare agent to make sure nothing falls through the cracks. Timing matters here, and a missed deadline can mean paying higher premiums for years.
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