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West Campus, Health Sciences, and School of Medicine

Turning 65?

When you and/or your covered dependent reach age 65...

 

STATE EMPLOYEES

Eligibility:

When you and/or your covered dependent reach age 65, you must apply for Medicare B, which will become your primary health insurance coverage. Your state health insurance plan will be your secondary coverage.  If your dependent is under the age of 65, but is receiving Social Security Disability payments for 24 months or more, your dependent must also apply for Medicare B.

Sign Up

Approximately three months before you and/or your covered dependent reach age 65 or, within 3 months of your retirement date at age 65 or older, contact your local Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to apply.

Cost:

The monthly cost of Medicare B usually changes each year on January 1 and is automatically deducted each month from your social security check. Please contact the Social Security Administration to determine the current cost of Medicare B coverage.

However, because the state shares responsibility for your health insurance coverage with Medicare, the Division of Employee Benefits will reimburse you for the cost of Medicare B. If your spouse is a dependent on your state health insurance plan, the Division of Employee Benefits will reimburse you for the cost of your spouse's Medicare B coverage when applicable.

  • If you are a retiree of one of the state retirement plans, the Division of Employee Benefits will include the reimbursement for yourself and/or your spouse in your monthly retirement check.
  • If you are a retiree of the ORP, you will be reimbursed by separate check on a quarterly basis.

Beginning January 1, 2007, the Medicare Part B premium charges have been changed to a tiered basis which is determined by Individual or Joint income in retirement. The state will reimburse the minimum premium charged in each calendar year.

RF EMPLOYEES

Eligibility:

When you and/or your covered dependent reaches age 65, the Research Foundation health insurance will end, you will need to enroll in Medicare part A and B, which will become primary and you will need to enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan and Part D prescription drug plan. 

The Research Foundation will then provide you with an HRA account, which will be funded annually, for you to utilize to pay for these plans.  The amount you will receive from The Research Foundation annually will vary depending on your full time  years of service.

Sign Up

Approximately three months before you and/or your covered dependent reach age 65 or, within 3 months of your retirement date at age 65 or older, contact your local Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213 to apply.

Cost:

The monthly cost of Medicare B usually changes each year on January 1 and is automatically deducted each month from your social security check. Please contact the Social Security Administration to determine the current cost of Medicare B coverage.