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Medicare & Your UC Sponsored Medical Plan
Everything from UC Medicare requirements, the enrollment process & resources to assist you...and more
Medicare Enrollment Requirements for UC Health Plan Members
- UC requires retirees and their enrolled family members who become eligible for Medicare Part A (hospital insurance) free of cost, to enroll in Medicare Part B (medical insurance) and transfer to UC sponsored medical coverage for Medicare enrollees.
- If a retiree does not enroll in Part B, he/she and all enrolled family members will be de-enrolled from UC sponsored medical coverage.
- Any family member eligible for premium-free Part A is also required to enroll in Part B or be de-enrolled from UC medical coverage.
- In addition, Medicare requires that you enroll in Part B when you are first eligible or the cost of Part B will go up 10% for each full 12-month period that you could have enrolled in Part B but didn’t. You may have to pay this penalty for as long as you have part B. (This does not apply to individuals who were working when they turned age 65 and were covered under an employer group insurance plan.)
There are some exceptions to the requirements.
- If you and/or your family member(s) are past age 65 and you are still working at UCSF (never retired from UC) and are covered by a UC sponsored health plan for employees, you and/or your family member(s) may delay enrollment in Medicare Part B without penalty from UC or Medicare. When you retiree you must follow the enrollment requirements above.
- If you are not eligible for premium-free part A, you are not required to enroll in Medicare and may continue your non-Medicare retiree medical plan.
Why is enrollment necessary?
UC requires enrollment in Medicare Part B if you or your eligible family members become eligible for Medicare Part A, free of cost, and coordination of your medical plan with Medicare to keep health plan costs down. Of the total medical costs to UC and annuitants, Medicare can pay 80% of doctor and hospital bills. With Medicare assuming some of the costs of health care, UC benefit/budget planners retain leverage to negotiate high-value coverage for UC retirees.
Medicare Basics
Tips For Enrolling in Medicare
Coordinating Medicare & Your UC Sponsored Medical Plan
Medicare Resources