Getting Started with Medicare – 2023 Webinar Qs & As

A: Yes, an email will be sent out to all IRO members with links to the presentation, the Zoom video recording, and a Q&A document derived from the “Chat” conversation. Links will also be posted on the IRO FB page, the website, and in the regular News Flash.

A: On slide 4 of the presentation, reference to “5 continuous years” applies only to legal aliens. If you are a U.S. citizen, it doesn’t apply.

A: NO, overseas bases do not provide Medicare services outside of the U.S.

A: If you use basic Medicare (Parts A & B), you will not be covered by Medicare while living or traveling outside the U.S. If you use a Medicare Advantage plan you will need to check with the provider to see what is covered. If you use a Medicare Supplemental Insurance policy (aka a “Medigap” policy) you will need to check with the provider to see what, if anything, is covered. There are Advantage plans and supplemental (“Medigap” policies) that cover urgent and emergency medical care outside of the U.S. IRMP for Medicare eligible retirees includes this feature.

A: The short answer is “yes”, but it can be complicated. For example, if you decide to switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Medigap policy, the company providing the Medigap policy may require you to go through a health screening to uncover underlying conditions before agreeing to underwrite the policy and decide how much they will charge you. Please read more details and conditions. Medicare.gov: you’ll have a single 12-month period (your trial right period) to get your Medigap policy back if the same insurance company still sells it once you return to Original Medicare. After that period, you might have to wait to drop your Medicare Advantage Plan, and you might not be able to buy a Medigap policy, or it may cost more.

A: In most cases, there is no need to be re-qualified for your Medicare plan during open enrollment. For example, you can change from one Medicare Advantage plan to another during open enrollment without going through medical underwriting. But there are some situations where medical underwriting may be required, such as switching from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Medigap policy.

A: A separate health insurance policy would need to be purchased for the dependent. Q: If you originally decline Part B, because your spouse is covered through Intel, can you add Part B in a couple years? A: Yes, you can. Once the spouse’s health insurance ends, you will be eligible for a “Special Enrollment Period” where you can add Part B.

A: If you are covered under a spouse’s GHP, you can wait to start Medicare until that health plan ends. A “Special Enrollment Period” will then apply for you to join Medicare.

A: Your private insurer should drop you when you turn 65 but it doesn’t hurt to call them to be sure.

• Regular Medicare (parts A & B PLUS the opportunity to add Supplemental or Medigap insurance and a part D drug plan) where you can go to any doctor or hospital that takes Medicare, anywhere in the U.S. and in most cases, you don’t need a Referral to see a specialist.

• Medicare Advantage – where a part D drug plan is often included, and you in most cases, can only use doctors and other providers who are in the plan’s network and service area (for non-emergency care).

A: Yes all “parts” of Medicare were discussed, including Part G (referred to as a Supplemental policy or a Medigap policy). See slides 5, 6, and 44 in the presentation for more information.

A: Medicare Advantage plans must follow the rules set by Medicare for Parts A, B, and D (drug coverage). They can’t limit benefits any more than regular Medicare does. Many MA plans offer additional services such as vision care, hearing aids, gym memberships, etc. They can set their own rules for these areas. Medicare Advantage Plans have a yearly limit on what you pay out of pocket for services. Once you reach your plan’s limit, you’ll pay nothing for services Part A and Part B cover for the rest of the year. For regular Medicare there’s no yearly limit on what you pay out-of-pocket, unless you have supplemental coverage.

A: Part B pays for these types of services. See slide 34 in the presentation for more information.

A: If you are using a high-deductible health plan (HDHP), you can contribute to an HSA. If you switch to Medicare when you turn 65, you must stop HSA contributions before Medicare begins. If you continue on a private HDHP after age 65, such as your spouse’s health plan, you can continue to contribute.

A: You won’t be charged “extra” for a wellness visit under Medicare because your annual Medicare deductible and monthly Medicare premium already cover it.

A: The medical eye exam to determine if diabetes is causing vision problems is covered. Any exams to test your need for corrective lenses and glasses or contact lenses required to fix a vision problem are not covered. Discuss this with your eye doctor.

A: The Plan B annual deductible and baseline premium that everyone pays are adjusted each year by Medicare. For those with higher incomes, the premium is adjusted upward based on a formula that uses the Modified Adjusted Gross Income from their “year-2” tax return. For example, the 2023 Part B premium is based on the 2021 tax return. FYI, Part D (drug coverage) premiums are also adjusted upward for those with higher incomes using the same formula. (see slide #38 for MAGI adjusted gross income chart for 2023).

A: This topic wasn’t covered in the webinar. However, some suggestions were made in the Chat such as joining the IRO Facebook group to ask for advice from other Intel retirees or visit the IRO website to see the material that covers how to purchase healthcare before you become Medicare eligible. The IRO website may be useful: IRO Healthcare Resources

A: Intel provides 2 options for IRMP for Medicare eligible: one has higher premiums & lower co-pays with a lower out of pocket maximum, one has lower premiums & higher co-pays and a higher out of pocket maximum than the other plan. If you are interested in a Medicare Advantage plan, we suggest you compare Intel’s IRMP offerings with other Advantage offerings and select the plan that is best for you. There is more to healthcare than premium costs. To evaluate healthcare insurance plans, check out the doctors/specialists, understand your special needs, travel plans as well as costs of deductibles and co-pays and other out of pocket expenses.

A: Yes, IRMP is available to a spouse that is Medicare eligible, even when the retiree is not yet Medicare eligible. The retiree must also be enrolled in the plan. Split Enrollment for IRMP Medical Coverage: If you are Medicare eligible and your dependent is not, or vice-versa, you may enroll in the IRMP medical coverage.

A: Yes

A: Yes, The best (and often only time) to switch from Medigap to Medicare Advantage is during the Open Enrollment Annual Election Period which runs from Oct 15th to Dec 7th. To switch during this time, you would enroll in a MA plan which can only start on Jan 1st of the following year. Once you enroll, it will automatically disenroll you of your Medicare Part D drug plan. You will still need to contact your Medigap plan to tell them you are cancelling. Q&As regarding COBRA, SERMA, and SERPlus that were not covered in the webinar

A: Yes, Alight is a legitimate vendor for Intel that is essentially a health insurance broker. They don’t charge retirees for their advice. If you decide to meet with them for further education on signing up for Medicare – you are not obligated to use their services.

A: No, if you are on COBRA when you become Medicare eligible your COBRA will NOT automatically terminate when you become Medicare eligible. This is a decision that you must make. We suggest reading about COBRA thoroughly on the Medicare.gov site. COBRA is a federal law that may let you keep your employer group health plan coverage for a limited time after your employment ends or you lose coverage as a dependent of the covered employee. This is called “continuation coverage.” Before you elect COBRA, talk with your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) about Part B and Medigap. To avoid unexpected medical bills, you may need to sign up for Medicare right away. Contact your State Health Assistance Program (SHIP), or call 1-877-486-2048 for free, personalized help with this decision.

A: IF you are on COBRA coverage from a previous employer see section 11.8 Coordination of Medicare and COBRA. IF you become Medicare eligible and are not covered under an active group health plan, based on your or your spouse’s current employment, you should sign up for Medicare at age 65. (You can find the SPD for COBRA continuation at: My Health Benefits, reference center, Pay Stock and Benefits Handbook, Chapter 11 – COBRA Continuation Coverage)

A: If you are on COBRA you must sign up for Medicare at age 65 to avoid late penalties. The 8 months of Special Enrollment Period following termination of a GHP occurs AFTER your Initial Enrollment Period (see slide 16). There is NO Special Enrollment period when COBRA ends. COBRA isn’t considered an active employee group health plan, and if you delay your Medicare enrollment while on COBRA, you could experience a Medicare premium penalty. See Intel’s Summary Plan Description COBRA Continuation Coverage (location above).

A: 3 months prior to when you turn 65, your Initial Enrollment Period of 7 months will begin – it will continue 3 months after your birth month. You should sign up for Medicare during that period. You will be able to sign up for an Advantage plan or another plan. Yes, turning 65 is an event that would allow you to get on an IRMP plan, or another Medicare Advantage plan of your choosing, or regular Medicare (parts A & B) with the option to purchase Supplemental/Medigap insurance and a Part D drug plan.

A: Your initial enrollment eligibility (slide 15) is the 7-month period that starts 3 mo before you turn 65 and extends to 3 mo after you turn 65. Regardless of when Open Enrollment is, this is your initial period of eligibility when you must sign up for Medicare to avoid penalties, unless you are covered by a Group Health Plan offered through you or your spouse’s current employer.

A: The Medicare website has a list of exceptions to the income calculation rule. SERPlus payouts aren’t on the list. You can use a form on the Medicare website to appeal this rule, but, in general, one-time bumps in income aren’t looked at as exceptions. Q: Will there be another webinar on how to utilize SERMA? A: Another webinar on utilizing SERMA is not planned. A current user guide for SERMA can be found by accessing My Health Benefits from the HR Services and Benefits web page. See third column, 4th box down.