Review What to do if You're Enrolling in Medicare on UCnet

In the process of retiring:

 

  • Apply for Medicare about 2 months prior to your retirement date. You will receive a “Request for Employment Information” form from your UCOP retirement advisor to take to the Social Security office.

Retired, turning 65 and NOT yet receiving a Social Security pension:

  • Apply for Medicare about 3 months prior to your 65th birthday. 

Retired, turning 65 and receiving a Social Security pension:

  • You will automatically be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.  Social Security will mail you a Medicare card a few months before you turn 65 or become eligible for Medicare due to a disability or health condition.

Apply for Medicare Parts A and B

UC requires all retirees and family members who are eligible for Medicare Part A with no monthly premium to enroll in Part A (hospital) and B (medical).  It is necessary that you apply for Medicare – even if you have not paid into Social Security.  You may be eligible for Medicare through the work history of a spouse.  Most people are eligible for Medicare when they turn 65, some are eligible earlier due to a disability. 

How to Apply for Medicare

Apply for Medicare Parts A and B online at http://www.ssa.gov/ or contact the local Santa Barbara Social Security office at 1-866-695-6285 for assistance.  If you live outside of Santa Barbara call the Nationwide SSA number at 1-800-772-1213 for assistance.

You do not need to enroll in Medicare Part D (Rx) (unless you enroll in the UC Medicare PPO plan without Prescription Drugs).  Once you've completed the appropriate UBEN form and returned to RASC, UC will work with your plan administrator to enroll you in the Part D (Rx) coverage affiliated with your plan.

Medical Plan Premiums

1. Medicare Part A

There is no premium for Part A (Hospital) if you are eligible for Medicare.

2. Medicare Part B (Medical) Premium

  • Deducted from your Social Security check, if you receive one.
  • If you are not yet receiving a Social Security benefit, Social Security will bill you.

3. Medicare Part D (Drug) Premium

  • You will be enrolled in the Part D program that is bundled with your medical plan.
  • Most retirees will not pay an additional premium for this drug plan; it is included in the monthly cost of your medical plan.
  • Retirees earning more than $85,000 (single) or $170,000 (married couple) will pay an additional premium for Part D.
    • Deducted from your Social Security check.
    • If you are not yet receiving a Social Security benefit, Social Security will bill you.

4. UC Medical Premium

  • Varies based on the medical plan and by retiree benefits program
    • Some retirees receive the full “UC Contribution”.
    • Others receive a percentage of the “UC Contribution (Graduated Eligibility).
  • Deducted from your monthly retirement check.
  • “Part B Reimbursement” may be added to your UC retirement check. If the cost of your medical plan is less than the full “UC Contribution” for which you are eligible, the amount left over goes toward reimbursing part of the amount you pay to Social Security for Medicare Part B.  This reimbursement is added to your UC retirement check.

UC Enrollment Forms

Once you're enrolled in Medicare complete the appropriate enrollment form to transition from your UC-sponsored Non-Medicare plan to a UC-sponsored Medicare plan. 

UCOP and the insurance carrier will transfer you to the Medicare version of your UC sponsored non-Medicare plan.  Eligible family members enrolled in the UC-sponsored non-Medicare plan who are not eligible for Medicare will remain in the UC sponsored non-Medicare version of the plan also referred to as a “partner” plan.

Health Net Blue & Gold HMO Members 

Enroll in UC Medicare Choice

  1. Complete form UBEN 121
  2. Submit the completed UBEN form via your secure UCRAYS account, mail, or fax to the Retirement Administration Service Center (RASC).
  3. The UC will use this form to assign your Medicare benefits (Part A, B and D) to UC Medicare Choice administered by UnitedHealthcare.

Kaiser HMO Members

Enroll in Kaiser Senior Advantage

  1. Complete form UBEN 127
  2. Submit the completed UBEN form via your secure UCRAYS account, mail, or fax to the Retirement Administration Service Center (RASC).
  3. The UC will use this form to assign your Medicare benefits (Part A, B and D) to Kaiser Senior Advantage HMO.

 

UC Care, Health Savings Plan & Core Members

Enroll in UC Medicare PPO

  1. Complete form UBEN 123
  2. Submit the completed UBEN form via your secure UCRAYS account, mail, or fax to the Retirement Administration Service Center (RASC).
  3. The UC will use the form to enroll you in the Medicare Part D plan that is bundled with the UC Medicare PPO
  4. After your Medicare effective date call Anthem at 1-844-437-0486 and Medicare 1-855-798-2627 to set-up your Medicare Crossover.

Not Eligible for Medicare  -  Medicare Denial Letter from Social Security Administration

Retirees and family members who are not eligible for Medicare Part A with no monthly premium are not required to enroll in Medicare.  They will remain on the non-Medicare version of the UC medical plan.

  1. Submit a copy of the Medicare Denial Letter via your secure UCRAYS account, mail, or fax to the Retirement Administration Service Center (RASC)

"Period of Darkness"

There can be a short period of time when your non-Medicare plan ends and the Medicare version of your plan is electronically transferred to the health insurance carrier.  We call this the “period of darkness” because the electronic record of your enrollment is in transition and it appears that your coverage has been terminated.

If you try to fill a prescription during this transition period, it is likely that the pharmacy will tell you that your insurance has been cancelled.  It hasn’t, your retiree or Medicare enrollment at the health plan has not yet been updated. 

If this happens to you, please contact the Retirement Administration Service Center (RASC).  RASC will work directly with the plan administrator to update your records.

Resources

If you have questions, please contact the Health Care Facilitator or Retirement Administration Service Center (RASC)