How Medicare Coordinates with Other Insurance

by Martha Khlopin, Hawaii Helps: Health Enrollment Literacy Program & Services

When you qualify and enroll in Medicare insurance the coverage will coordinate with any employer coverage you may have. If you work for a company with less than 20 employees, Medicare generally pays first for medically necessary, medicare approved benefits. The employer will pay after Medicare pays. If you have coverage from a company plan that employs 20 or more, the employer plan will generally pay claims first and Medicare will be the secondary payor.  It is important to show all current, active insurance cards when you seek services.