Becoming Medicare Eligible While Employed
Medicare comes in four parts: A, B, C, and D. Medicare parts A and B are provided through the government and they are often referred to as “Original Medicare.” Together, they cover some of the basics like hospital stays and doctor visits. Most people need more coverage for things not covered by parts A and B, like prescription drug benefits. Enrollment in Medicare Part A is free when turning 65 and does not require you to change your benefit elections as an NSU employee.
Employees who are covered under an NSU/ICUBA medical insurance plan and become eligible for Medicare Part B can remain covered under an NSU/ICUBA medical insurance plan for as long as they remain employed in a position eligible for medical insurance at NSU.
Most employees will not be penalized for enrolling in Medicare Part B after age 65. For more information, call Medicare at 1-800- MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit their web site at www.medicare.gov and make an appointment with a Medicare Specialist.
Frequently Asked Questions
Part A is Hospital Insurance
This coverage is free as long as you have paid payroll taxes. It helps cover inpatient care for services like hospitals, skilled nursing centers, hospices, and home health care.
In most cases, enrolling in Medicare Part A when you become eligible is a good idea, even if you are covered under an NSU/ICUBA medical insurance plan. Part A coverage is premium-free, which means it costs you nothing to take advantage of your Part A benefits. In general, you qualify for premium-free Part A coverage if you or your spouse worked at least 40 quarters (10 years) while paying Medicare taxes.
The NSU/ICUBA medical insurance plans do not change once you enroll in Medicare Part A and will be your primary insurance for as long you remain covered as an employee. This means Part A will only pay (when applicable) after your NSU/ICUBA plan has paid benefits.
Medicare Part A - More InformationMedicare Part B is Medical Insurance
Medicare Part B comes with a monthly premium and if you enroll in Medicare Part B while covered under NSU/ICUBA medical insurance plan will be the secondary payer. This means benefits paid (when applicable) under Medicare Part B will only be paid after your NSU/ICUBA plan has paid benefits. You may find that it is not financially beneficial to pay the NSU/ICUBA premium and the monthly premium for Medicare Part B, and choose to delay your Part B enrollment.
There is a late-enrollment penalty if you sign up for Medicare Part B after your Medicare Initial Enrollment Period, unless your situation qualifies you for a Medicare Special Enrollment Period.
If you qualify for Medicare while you or your spouse are still working and decide to delay enrollment in Medicare Part B, you may be able to enroll in Part B when your group coverage ends without incurring a penalty.
You can usually qualify for a Special (Late) Enrollment Period anytime that you are still working and covered under an employer sponsored health plan, and/or for eight months beginning the month after employment or coverage under the employer sponsored plan ends.
Medicare Part B - More InformationSHINE (Serving Health Insurance Needs of Elders) is a free program offered by the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and your local Area Agency on Aging. Specially trained volunteers can assist you with your Medicare, Medicaid, and health insurance questions by providing one-on-one counseling and information. SHINE services are free, unbiased, and confidential.
Contact the Florida SHINE Program to set up an appointment and find out more information by calling local phone number 954-745-9779 or visiting the website at https://www.floridashine.org/
National Information is as followed: 1-800-963-5337, TDD/TTY 1-800-955-8770, or emailing information@elderaffairs.org
Enrolling in Medicare Part A & Part B PDF
NSU - EAP Medicare: Getting Started PDF
NSU - EAP Social Security Overview PDF