Where Do I Get Health Coverage Before 65?Health Coverage For The Years Before Medicare.
Retiring at 60, or working for yourself? Maartin compares COBRA, Covered California and individual plans, so your coverage holds from your last paycheck until Medicare begins at 65.
The Short Answer
Before Medicare starts at 65, you can keep your old employer’s plan through COBRA, join a spouse’s plan, or buy an individual plan through Covered California or directly from an insurer. Covered California’s open enrollment runs November 1 to January 31, and losing job-based coverage opens a 60-day special enrollment window.
Source: CoveredCA.com
Three Numbers Worth Knowing
- Nov 1 – Jan 31
- Covered California’s open enrollment each year, when you can buy a plan or change the one you have.
- 60 Days
- Your special enrollment window after losing job-based coverage. You can apply up to 60 days before it ends to avoid a gap.
- 18 To 36 Months
- How long COBRA coverage typically lasts, at the full cost of the plan plus an administrative fee.
The Bridge To 65
Covering The Years Between Your Last Paycheck And Medicare.
A common path for someone who retires before 65. Your own dates set the plan.
- Last Day At WorkJob Coverage Ends
- Within 60 DaysChoose COBRA Or A New Plan
- 18 To 36 MonthsCOBRA Typically Ends
- Each November 1Open Enrollment Begins
- 3 Months Before 65Medicare Window Opens
- Age 65Medicare Begins
Cancel Covered California Yourself
Your Covered California plan stays in place when Medicare starts. Report your Medicare eligibility within 30 days and cancel at least 14 days before you want the plan to end.
Financial Help Ends At Medicare Eligibility
People eligible for Medicare, even if they haven’t enrolled, generally lose financial help for a Covered California plan.
Two Common Bridges
COBRA Or Covered California?
Both can carry you to 65. They differ on cost, doctors and how long they last.
| Question | COBRAYour Former Employer’s Plan | Covered CaliforniaCalifornia’s Health Insurance Marketplace |
|---|---|---|
| Doctors And Network | The plan and providers you have now. | A new plan. Check that your doctors are in its network before you choose. |
| Who Pays | You pay the full cost of the plan, plus an administrative fee. | You pay the premium, less any financial help your household income qualifies for. |
| How Long It Lasts | Typically 18 to 36 months. | Year to year. Financial help generally ends once you are eligible for Medicare. |
| When To Sign Up | Within 60 days after your employer coverage ends. | Within 60 days of losing coverage, up to 60 days before it ends, or during open enrollment. |
| Financial Help | Tax credits and cost-sharing help come only through Covered California. | Based on household size and income. For 2026, households above 400% of the poverty level get no tax credits. |
| Plan Choices | The plan your employer offered. | Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum tiers, in HMO, EPO and PPO designs. |
When COBRA runs out before 65, that also opens a special enrollment window for Covered California.
What Changed For 2026
Four Things Early Retirees Should Know This Year.
Covered California’s rules shifted when federal help changed, and income planning now matters more for early retirees.
Enhanced Federal Help Expired
The extra federal tax credits that helped millions afford coverage ended. Covered California reports that households above 400% of the federal poverty level now get no tax credits.
This Year’s Income Counts
Covered California uses the income your household expects this year, then checks it against your tax return. Not every kind of money counts, so your withdrawal plan matters.
Coverage Is The Law Here
In California, having health insurance is the law, and going uninsured can bring a state penalty.
Help Applying Is Free
Covered California’s in-person help, from a certified enroller or a licensed insurance agent, is free and confidential.
Working With Maartin
How Maartin Bridges You To Medicare.
- 01
Set Your Dates
Your last day of work, your COBRA end date and your 65th birthday month go on one timeline.
- 02
Estimate This Year’s Income
Expected household income drives financial help, so your withdrawal plan and your health plan are built together. See retiring soon.
- 03
Compare Plans With Your Doctors
Maartin checks your doctors against each plan’s network before you choose a tier.
- 04
Hand Off To Medicare On Time
As 65 nears, your Medicare review begins, and your Covered California plan ends on the date you choose.
Turning 65 soon? Start with what to do about Medicare.
Questions
Common Questions
When can I buy a health plan through Covered California?
During open enrollment, November 1 through January 31 each year, or within 60 days of a major life change such as losing job-based coverage. For a loss of coverage, you can apply up to 60 days before it ends to avoid a gap.
Should I take COBRA or switch to Covered California?
COBRA keeps your current plan and doctors, at the full cost plus a fee, typically for 18 to 36 months. Covered California can cost less if your income qualifies for financial help. Maartin compares both against your doctors and your budget.
Can I get financial help if I retire with savings?
Financial help depends on household size and income, and Covered California uses the income you expect this year. For 2026, households above 400 percent of the federal poverty level no longer qualify for tax credits, so the size of your withdrawals matters.
What happens to my Covered California plan when I turn 65?
It stays in place until you cancel it, even if you enroll in Medicare with the same insurer. Report your Medicare eligibility to Covered California within 30 days and cancel at least 14 days before you want the plan to end. Once you are eligible for Medicare, financial help generally stops.
Is there a penalty for going without health insurance in California?
Yes. In California, having health coverage is the law, and going uninsured can bring a state penalty. Planning coverage for every month until Medicare keeps you clear of it.
Sources
- Open enrollment November 1 through January 31
- Apply up to 60 days ahead for loss of coverage
- 60 days to enroll in COBRA
- Medicare is for people 65 or older
- Financial help only through Covered California
- Enhanced federal tax credits expired; they helped millions
- Free in-person help from a certified enroller or licensed agent
Retiring Before 65?
Coverage From Now
Until Medicare.
Bring your COBRA notice and your income plan, and see your coverage options lined up to 65.
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