Questions & answers · Health insurance
I'm turning 65 and have a Marketplace plan. What happens to it when Medicare starts?
Health insuranceBuying a policyChecked Nov 6, 2026
From K.Actuary, founded by Sangmin Kwon, ASA · sources checked 2026-11-06 · Source: HealthCare.gov · Changing from Marketplace to Medicare · page text View original ↗
In short
- Your Marketplace plan does not end by itself when Medicare starts.
- You must end it, or you may have to pay back tax credit money.
- You can report your Medicare start date up to 3 months early.
What this means
HealthCare.gov says Marketplace coverage does not end automatically when Medicare starts. You update your Marketplace application to end it. You can report the Medicare start date up to 3 months before Medicare starts [1]. For example, if Medicare starts May 1, the Marketplace plan ends April 30 [1].
Once you are eligible for premium-free Part A, you cannot get Marketplace savings [1][2]. If you keep the tax credit, you will have to pay it back when you file your federal taxes [1]. You can keep a Marketplace plan, but you pay full price, and the company might end it [1].
Others on your application, like a younger spouse, can keep their Marketplace coverage [1]. Sign up for Medicare when you are first eligible. The first chance usually lasts 7 months around your 65th birthday [1].
Your next step
Find your Medicare start date. Log in to HealthCare.gov and report it so the plan ends the day before.
Deadline: you can report it up to 3 months before Medicare starts; report it before Medicare begins to avoid paying back tax credits.
Check it yourself
Your Medicare card shows your Part A start date. If your state runs its own Marketplace, the steps may differ — "Don't know yet" for state Marketplaces. If you must pay a premium for Part A, HealthCare.gov says you can choose; compare costs and penalties first.
Where this comes from (2)
[1] HealthCare.gov · Changing from Marketplace to Medicare · page text · checked 2026-11-06
Marketplace coverage doesn’t end automatically when Medicare starts. Update your Marketplace application to end Marketplace coverage for those starting Medicare. You can report a Medicare start date on your application up to 3 months before Medicare starts. … If your Medicare begins on May 1, you can update your Marketplace application as early as February 1. In your application, report that your Medicare starts on M…
[2] Medicare.gov · Medicare & You 2027 (official handbook PDF) · page 20 «Health Insurance Marketplace®» · checked 2026-11-06
Once you’re considered eligible for premium-free Part A, or already have Part A with a premium, you won’t qualify for help from the Marketplace to pay your Marketplace plan premiums or other medical costs.
How we found this
We matched your question to 2 official sources, quoted the exact lines, and re-checked each quote against its source on 2026-11-06.
What we don’t know yet
Your own plan or notice may say something different. If your letter cites another rule, send it and we will look again.
Every answer is checked against the official rule it quotes.
Information only — not legal advice. Your plan, insurer or agency decides.
This answer quotes the official sources listed above, with the date we checked them. Your own policy, notice and state rules control. We are not your lawyer or your insurer. We don’t file, argue or negotiate claims for you — you send any letter or form yourself.
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