Medicare Information

Reach out to our team before taking any action if any of these situations apply to you: 

• You are enrolled in the UC Health Savings Plan
• You have a domestic partner becoming Medicare-eligible
• You live outside of the United States

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 without a penalty until you retire and/or lose your employer-sponsored health plan coverage. You will be provided a SEP to initiate Medicare enrollment outside the general enrollment period. Check Medicare special enrollment periods.

Upon retirement (or losing employer coverage), the University will provide you with documentation of your employer-sponsored health plan coverage from the age of 65 forward. 

Under Medicare's federal guidelines, domestic partners do not qualify for a special enrollment period and may be subject to late enrollment penalties if enrollment is delayed. Contact the Health Care Facilitator Program for more information if your domestic partner is becoming Medicare-eligible. 

In addition, Medicare is not compatible with the UC Health Savings Plan. UC Health Savings Plan members should not enroll in Medicare while still working. Contact the Health Care Facilitator Program for more information. 

Although not required, we recommend enrolling in Part A (only) when you become Medicare-eligible while still working. Part A is free for most people and will simplify adding Part B when you retire or lose employer-sponsored health plan coverage. To initiate Medicare Part A enrollment, call Social Security at 800-772-1213 or enroll online.

Remember: Your employer-sponsored health plan will remain your primary coverage while you are working. 

Domestic partners and UC Health Savings Plan members have different considerations. Please consult our team.

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.

Domestic partners and UC Health Savings Plan members have different considerations. Please consult our team.

Under the UC retiree health coverage, Medicare enrollment is mandated for both retirees and their dependents upon becoming Medicare-eligible. Initiate enrollment in Medicare Part A and/or Part B three months before your retirement date. Contact Social Security to enroll: call 800-772-1213 or enroll online.

You should not enroll in a separate Part D plan. UC retiree health plans (except the UC Medicare PPO w/Rx) have Part D prescription drug coverage already integrated into the health plan.

If you are over 65 when you retire 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 age 65 onward. Contact the Health Care Facilitator Program if you need this form completed.

Medicare includes three primary parts: Part A, Part B and Part 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 the previous two years. Part B premiums are determined annually. You also may be subject to the income-based Part D IRMAA. You pay your Medicare Part B (and Part D IRMAA premium, if applicable) directly to Medicare. 

In most cases, your UC health plan premium will decrease. 

You will transition into the Medicare partner plan of the UC health plan you are enrolled in:

• when you become Medicare-eligible, and
• when you coordinate Medicare with your UC retiree health plan.

Under UC retiree health coverage, retirees and their dependents must enroll in Medicare when eligible. You'll need to initiate enrollment in Medicare Part A and/or Part B three months before your birthday.

You should not enroll in a separate Part D plan. UC retiree health plans (except the UC Medicare PPO w/Rx) have Part D prescription drug coverage integrated.

Contact Social Security to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B: call 800-772-1213 or enroll online.

Medicare is made up of three primary parts: Part A, Part B and Part 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 the previous two years. Part B premiums are redetermined annually. You also may be subject to the income-based Part D IRMAA. You will pay your Medicare Part B (and Part D IRMAA premium if applicable) directly to Medicare. 

In most cases, your UC health plan premium will decrease.

When you are Medicare-eligible and have coordinated Medicare to your UC retiree health plan, you will transition into the Medicare partner plan of your UC health plan. Learn about medical plans for retirees with Medicare.