Glossary
COBRA After 65
COBRA is not creditable coverage for Part B — using it past 65 instead of enrolling in Medicare causes lifetime late penalties.
Also known as: COBRA continuation, COBRA Medicare
Quick answer
COBRA lets you continue an employer group health plan after leaving a job for up to 18 months (sometimes longer). It is continuation coverage — not active employer coverage.
Why it matters
Because COBRA isn't active employer coverage, it does NOT delay your Part B Initial Enrollment Period. Beneficiaries who rely on COBRA past 65 routinely incur permanent Part B late-enrollment penalties.
Why this matters at age 65
Military retirees who lose civilian employment near 65 sometimes choose COBRA out of inertia. That choice can cost both TFL (no Part B) and trigger lifetime penalties.
When you'll encounter it
Job loss or retirement near age 65 with an offer of COBRA continuation.
Impact on Medicare
Medicare becomes primary at 65; COBRA may pay nothing. You must still enroll in Part B during your IEP.
Impact on TRICARE For Life
TFL requires Part B regardless of COBRA status.
Common misconceptions
- "COBRA gives me a Special Enrollment Period to delay Part B." — It does not — COBRA is not active employer coverage.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Treating COBRA as a substitute for Medicare past 65.
- Not enrolling in Part B during the IEP because COBRA 'feels like' employer coverage.
What should I do?
- 1Enroll in Medicare Parts A and B during your IEP, regardless of any COBRA offer.
- 2Consider whether COBRA is worth keeping at all once Medicare + TFL is in place.
Continue learning
— suggested by the knowledge graph- Frequently asked questions about Medicare and TRICARE For LifeA quick-reference summary of the questions retired service members and spouses ask most often — with citations to the official source.
- Common mistakes retired military make at 65 — and how to avoid themThe most expensive errors retired service members and spouses make during the Medicare and TFL transition, and the simple fixes for each.
- Enrolling in Medicare: timing, methods, and the military-specific rulesWhen and how to sign up for Medicare Parts A and B — and the timing that protects your TRICARE For Life activation.
- Avoiding the Medicare late-enrollment penaltyThe Part B late penalty is permanent — and TRICARE does not waive it. Here's how to make sure you never owe it.
- Moving Between StatesHow a permanent move affects Medicare, Medicare Advantage, Part D, and TRICARE For Life coverage.
- AEP & OEP (Election Periods)AEP (Oct 15 – Dec 7) is when you can join, switch, or drop MA plans. OEP (Jan 1 – Mar 31) lets you change MA plans once.
- Annual Election Period (AEP)October 15 – December 7 each year — the main window to join, switch, or drop a Medicare Advantage or Part D plan, with coverage starting January 1.
- Beneficiary CategoryHow DEERS classifies you (active duty, retiree, family member, survivor, etc.) — determines which TRICARE plans and cost shares apply.
- Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP)A 18- to 36-month temporary TRICARE-like coverage option for those who lose TRICARE eligibility — functionally the military version of COBRA.
- Creditable CoverageNon-Medicare coverage that CMS deems at least as good as a standard Medicare Part D plan — TRICARE Pharmacy qualifies, so TFL beneficiaries don't need Part D.
- Creditable Drug CoveragePrescription drug coverage that CMS certifies is at least as good as standard Medicare Part D — including TRICARE Pharmacy and VA Pharmacy.
- Does TRICARE For Life work overseas?Yes. Overseas, TFL acts as your primary payer because Medicare generally doesn't pay outside the U.S. You'll usually pay the provider up front and file a paper claim with TFL overseas.
- What are the biggest mistakes retired military make at 65?Declining Part B, missing the IEP, ignoring DEERS, enrolling in Part D unnecessarily, and assuming MTF access continues. Each can cost thousands or end TFL.
- I'm turning 65. What should I do first?About 3 months before your 65th birthday, sign up for Medicare Parts A and B at SSA.gov. TRICARE For Life activates automatically once both are effective and DEERS is current.
- I'm still working past 65. Can I delay Part B?Only if you have true employer group health coverage from active employment (yours or your spouse's, 20+ employees). In that case you get a Special Enrollment Period later. But TFL won't activate until you take Part B.
- How long does Medicare enrollment take to process?Most online applications are approved in 1–3 weeks. SSA mails the Medicare card within about 30 days of approval.
Related glossary terms
Related Official Resources
Continue learning straight from the source. Every link below goes to an official government or DoD resource.
Last reviewed January 2026 against the 2026 Medicare & You and TRICARE For Life handbooks.