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Medicare and Active Employees

Employees: Medicare Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do I (or my dependents) need to enroll in Medicare while I'm still working?

  • While you're still working and covered under your employer-sponsored health plan, you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period (SEP) with Medicare. You can delay Medicare enrollment until you retire and/or lose your employer-sponsored health plan coverage without a penalty and will be provided a SEP to initiate Medicare enrollment outside of the general enrollment period.
  • If any of the following situations apply to you, contact your HCF Program to schedule a consultation before taking any action: 
    • You are enrolled in the UC Health Savings Plan
    • You have a domestic partner becoming Medicare eligible
    • You are living outside of the United States

2. Do I need to notify anyone that I am working and do not need Medicare at this time?

  • You do not need to notify anyone of your delayed Medicare enrollment--unless you receive Social Security income or Railroad benefits. If you receive either of these, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare A&B when eligible, so you'll need to let Social Security know of your decision to delay enrollment.

IMPORTANT: Domestic partners & members of the UC Health Savings Plan have different considerations. Please contact our program for consultation.

3. Should I enroll in Medicare Part A since it's free?

  • Although not required, we recommend enrolling in Part A (only) at the time of becoming Medicare eligible while working. Part A is free for most people and will simplify adding Part B when you do retire or lose employer-sponsored health plan coverage. To initiate Medicare Part A enrollment, call Social Security 800-772-1213 or ENROLL ONLINE
    • Remember, while you are working, your employer-sponsored health plan will remain your primary coverage. 

IMPORTANT: Domestic partners & members of the UC Health Savings Plan have different considerations. Please contact our program for consultation.

Retirees: Medicare Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. Do I (or my dependents) need to enroll in Medicare?

  • Under the UC retiree health coverage, Medicare enrollment is mandated for both retirees and their dependents upon becoming Medicare eligible. You'll need to initiate enrollment in Medicare Part A and/or Part B three months before your retirement date.
    • You should not enroll in a separate Part D plan. UC retiree health plans (with the exception of the UC Medicare PPO w/Rx) have Part D prescription drug coverage already integrated into the health plan.

2. How will my current plan coordinate with Medicare?

  • Upon becoming Medicare eligible and coordinating Medicare with your UC retiree health plan, you will transition into the Medicare partner plan of the UC health plan you are enrolled in at the time of Medicare eligibility. 

3. If I become eligible for Medicare, what happens to my dependents who are not eligible for Medicare?

  • When one family member is eligible for Medicare and other family members are not eligible for Medicare, UC refers to the family as a split-family or mixed-family.  The Medicare family member will apply for Medicare and transition into the Medicare partner plan and the non-Medicare family members will remain in their same plan.

4. How much does Medicare cost?

  • Medicare is made up of three primary parts: Part A, B & D. Part A is free for most people. The Part B premium is based on your modified adjusted gross income on your income tax form from two years prior. Part B premium are redetermined annually. You may also be subject to Part D IRMAA, a subsidy based on income. You will pay your Medicare Part B (and Part D IRMAA premium if applicable) directly to Medicare. 

5. How do I enroll in Medicare?

  • Three months before your retirement, contact Social Security to enroll in Medicare Part A and/or Part B. To initiate Medicare enrollment, call Social Security 800-772-1213 or ENROLL ONLINE
    • If you are over the age of 65 at the time of retirement and already have Part A, you'll still need to add Part B. In addition, you'll need to provide Social Security with the CMS L564 Request for Employment Information form (completed by the employer). This form documents that you've been covered by an employer health plan from the age of 65 forward. Contact the Health Care Facilitator Program if you need this form completed.

6. What happens to the cost of my UC retiree health plan after coordinating with Medicare?

  • In most cases, your UC health plan premium will decrease. In addition to your premium for your UC retiree health plan, you will also be paying a premium for Medicare Part B (and Part D IRMAA premium, if applicable). Medicare premiums are paid directly to Medicare. 

Planning for retirement: Medicare Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. I'm planning to retire. Do I (or do my dependents) need to enroll in Medicare?

  • Under the UC retiree health coverage, Medicare enrollment is mandated for both retirees and their dependents upon becoming Medicare eligible. You'll need to initiate enrollment in Medicare Part A and/or Part B three months before your retirement date.
    • You should not enroll in a separate Part D plan. UC retiree health plans (with the exception of the UC Medicare PPO w/Rx) have Part D prescription drug coverage already integrated into the health plan.

2. How will my current plan coordinate with Medicare?

  • Upon becoming Medicare eligible and coordinating Medicare to your UC retiree health plan, you will transition into the Medicare partner plan of the UC health plan you are enrolled in at the time of Medicare eligibility. Once your Medicare enrollment is in process and you have your Medicare ID number:

3. If I become eligible for Medicare, what happens to my dependents who are not eligible for Medicare?

  • Upon becoming Medicare eligible and coordinating Medicare to your UC retiree health plan, you will transition into the Medicare partner plan of the UC health plan you are enrolled in at the time of Medicare eligibility. 

4. How much does Medicare cost?

  • Medicare is made up of three primary parts: Part A, B & D. Part A is free for most people. The Part B premium is based on your modified adjusted gross income on your income tax form from two years prior. Part B premium are redetermined annually. You may also be subject to Part D IRMAA, a subsidy based on income. You will pay your Medicare Part B (and Part D IRMAA premium if applicable) directly to Medicare. 
  • PART B PREMIUMS
  • PART D IRMAA PREMIUM

5. How do I enroll in Medicare?

  • Contact Social Security to enroll in Medicare Parts A & B. To initiate Medicare enrollment, call Social Security 800-772-1213 or ENROLL ONLINE

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