What happens to health insurance coverage if a person transitions from a COBRA plan to Medicare?

When a person transitions from a COBRA plan to Medicare, COBRA coverage is effectively forfeited upon enrollment in Medicare. This is primarily due to the fact that Medicare is considered primary coverage for individuals who qualify, thus taking precedence over any COBRA continuation coverage.

Once a person enrolls in Medicare, particularly if they are over 65 or have a qualifying disability, their COBRA benefits end because COBRA is designed as a temporary extension of health coverage that is meant to bridge the gap between employment and other forms of insurance. Therefore, if an individual takes the step to enroll in Medicare, they will no longer have access to their COBRA coverage.

This transition underscores the importance of understanding the timing of benefits and how one form of coverage affects another, especially for individuals who may be facing the complexities of multiple health insurance options.