Medicare Part D
Still Working at 65 in Denver? How to Time Medicare Right
DENVER — If you're closing in on 65 and still punching a clock, you've probably wondered whether you need to sign up for Medicare right away. The short answer: it depends on the job, the employer, and the kind of coverage you already have. Getting the timing right can spare you late-enrollment penalties that stick around for life.
Compare Medicare options near you
Answer 3 quick questions to see Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D listings from licensed insurance partners.
What’s your ZIP code?
Plan availability is set by your county, so we start here.
How old are you?
This helps match you with options you’re eligible for.
Do you have Medicare Parts A & B?
Most Medicare Advantage and Medigap options require both.
These listings are provided by licensed insurance partners.
Will your prescriptions still be covered in 2027?
Part D plans rewrite their drug lists every year — tiers move, pharmacies change, drugs drop off. One call checks your exact medications against the 2027 plans in your area.
- Every prescription checked, name by name
- Your pharmacy checked for preferred pricing
Available now — current wait: 0 min
A real person answers. No phone menu, ever.
Want to see more plan options?
Answer a few more questions to continue to additional options from licensed partners.
Continue →Advertising disclosure: MyMedicarePlans.org may be compensated when you contact a partner or licensed agent. Listings are not ranked or endorsed by us, and we do not recommend specific plans. You can also contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.
Speak to a Licensed Insurance Agent
Click to call 855-729-3240Key takeaways
- Your Initial Enrollment Period runs seven months: three months before your 65th birthday month, your birthday month, and three months after.
- Whether you can delay signing up while still working depends mainly on the size of your employer, so check with HR for a letter confirming your coverage is creditable.
- Part A is usually premium-free and safe to take at 65, but signing up for any part of Medicare stops you from contributing to an HSA.
- If your employer coverage is creditable, you can delay Part B and Part D and later get a Special Enrollment Period, typically eight months for Part B and about two months for Part D, to sign up without a penalty.
Denver Workers Near 65 Face a Timing Question
Here's a plain-English guide to how Medicare fits together with employer coverage, tailored for folks living and working in Denver.
The Basics: What Medicare Looks Like at 65
Medicare has a few parts you'll hear about:
- Part A covers hospital stays. Most people pay no premium because they (or a spouse) paid Medicare taxes while working.
- Part B covers doctor visits and outpatient care. It has a monthly premium.
- Part C (Medicare Advantage) is offered by private insurers approved by Medicare.
- Part D covers prescription drugs.
Your Initial Enrollment Period is a seven-month window: the three months before your 65th birthday month, your birthday month, and the three months after. If you miss it and don't qualify for a special exception, you could face lifelong penalties.
If You're Still Working: The Employer-Size Rule
The rule most Denver workers need to know comes down to how big your employer is.
- 20 or more employees: Your job's health plan usually pays first, and Medicare pays second. You can often delay Part B without penalty as long as you have "creditable" employer coverage.
- Fewer than 20 employees: Medicare usually pays first. In most cases, you'll want to enroll in Parts A and B when you turn 65, or your employer plan may not cover much.
If you're not sure which rules apply, ask your HR or benefits team for a letter confirming whether your coverage is creditable — that document matters if you enroll later.
Part A: Usually Safe to Take, With One Exception
Because Part A is typically premium-free, many workers sign up at 65 even if they keep their job coverage. The exception is if you contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA). Once you enroll in any part of Medicare, you can no longer contribute to an HSA. If your HSA is important to you, you may want to delay Part A — and delay collecting Social Security, since starting Social Security automatically enrolls you in Part A.
Delaying Part B and Part D Without Penalty
If your employer coverage counts as creditable, you can delay Part B and Part D while you're still working. When you eventually retire or lose that coverage, you get a Special Enrollment Period — typically eight months for Part B and about two months for Part D — to sign up without a late penalty.
Keep proof of your coverage dates. Denver-area HR offices are used to these requests, but the paperwork is on you to save.
By the numbers
Medicare Part B premium, 2006–2026
The standard monthly Part B premium has climbed from $88.50 in 2006 to $202.90 in 2026. Hover any point for that year’s premium.
Source: CMS. Standard premium shown; in some hold-harmless years many existing enrollees paid less. Confirm at Medicare.gov.
By the numbers
How people get Medicare in Denver County
(MA penetration in Denver County)
MA penetration from CMS enrollment data; Medigap share is an estimate. U.S. average is about 54% Medicare Advantage. These are area-level figures, not plan-specific.
What Changes in 2027
Some Medicare figures worth knowing for next year:
- The Part D out-of-pocket cap is $2,100 in 2026 and $2,400 in 2027. Once your drug spending hits that amount, you pay nothing more for covered drugs the rest of the year.
- The Part D maximum deductible is $615 in 2026 and $700 in 2027.
- The old coverage gap ("donut hole") is gone as of 2025 — Part D now has three phases instead of four.
- The Medicare Prescription Payment Plan lets you spread your drug costs across the year in monthly payments instead of paying big amounts at the pharmacy counter.
- IRMAA surcharges — extra premiums for higher earners — begin above $109,000 in income for single filers in 2026.
Denver-Area Plan Availability
Denver sits in Denver County, where a range of Medicare Advantage and stand-alone Part D plans are offered by multiple private insurers each year. Because plan lineups and service areas are set at the county level, availability in Denver County can differ from what a friend or family member sees in Arapahoe, Jefferson, or Adams County — even just across town.
You can compare plans available in your ZIP code using the Plan Finder at medicare.gov.
Key Dates to Circle
- October 15 – December 7: Medicare Annual Enrollment Period. Anyone with Medicare can join, switch, or drop a plan.
- January 1 – March 31: Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period. If you're already in a Medicare Advantage plan, you can make one change.
- Your Initial Enrollment Period: The seven months around your 65th birthday.
- Special Enrollment Periods: Triggered by life changes, including losing job-based coverage.
Higher-income surcharges
IRMAA income brackets
If your income is above a threshold, you pay an income-related surcharge (IRMAA) on top of your Part B and Part D premiums. CMS publishes the 2027 brackets and surcharges later in the fall, typically in November; your 2027 surcharge will be based on your 2025 tax return.
| Income — single filer | Income — married, joint | Part B monthly premium | Part D surcharge |
|---|---|---|---|
| $109,000 or less | $218,000 or less | $202.90 | Plan premium only |
| $109,001 – $137,000 | $218,001 – $274,000 | $284.10 | + $14.50 |
| $137,001 – $171,000 | $274,001 – $342,000 | $405.80 | + $37.40 |
| $171,001 – $205,000 | $342,001 – $410,000 | $527.50 | + $60.40 |
| $205,001 – $500,000 | $410,001 – $750,000 | $649.30 | + $83.30 |
| Above $500,000 | Above $750,000 | $689.90 | + $91.00 |
Standard Part B premium is $202.90/month. Part D surcharges are added to your drug plan’s premium. Married-filing-separately uses a different, compressed schedule. Confirm current amounts at Medicare.gov.
Try it
How the 2026 Part D drug cap works
Slide to your estimated yearly prescription costs and see how the new $2,100 out-of-pocket cap protects you. This illustrates the standard Part D benefit; your plan may structure costs differently.
Once your out-of-pocket spending on covered drugs reaches $2,100, you pay nothing more for the rest of 2026. Confirm details at Medicare.gov.
Explore
When can you enroll? An interactive year
Enrollment windows are federal and the same nationwide. Confirm your personal dates at Medicare.gov or 1-800-MEDICARE.
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
I'm turning 65 next month but plan to work three more years. Do I have to enroll in Medicare?
My spouse is on my employer plan. Does the same rule apply to them?
I retired last month. How long do I have to sign up for Part B?
- CMS — Medicare Part D program rules (medicare.gov)
For personalized answers, contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local SHIP.