Impact of Medicare Eligibility

MMC Benefits Handbook

I am actively employed and turning age 65; what will happen to my current medical plan coverage?

As long as you are actively employed, both you and your spouse will remain in the current Company healthcare plan, which will pay benefits first. Once you or a covered spouse is deemed to be eligible for Medicare, Medicare will pay secondary, and the Company plan will continue to pay primary.

How are my domestic partner's claims paid if I am actively employed and my domestic partner becomes Medicare eligible due to age?

If your domestic partner is 65 or over and becomes Medicare eligible, Medicare pays primary.

How are my domestic partner's claims paid if I am actively employed and my domestic partner becomes Medicare eligible due to disability?

If your domestic partner is under age 65 and becomes Medicare eligible, Medicare pays primary.

I am currently on COBRA and turning age 65; what will happen to my COBRA coverage?

If you are on COBRA coverage and enroll in Medicare Part A or B when you turn 65, your COBRA coverage will end. You can continue your COBRA coverage beyond age 65 and delay enrolling in Medicare. Your COBRA coverage will end when you actually enroll in Medicare, and your family members can continue COBRA coverage for themselves for the remainder of the 18 months from the date of the original qualifying event when you enroll in Medicare.

Note: Delaying enrollment in Medicare may result in late enrollment penalties. For each 12-month period that you could have enrolled in Medicare Part B but did not, late enrollment penalties may be assessed.

What if I am enrolled in Medicare and later become eligible for and elect COBRA coverage?

If the effective date of your enrollment in either Medicare Part A or B is on or before the date that your COBRA continuation coverage is elected, then you can be enrolled in both Medicare and COBRA continuation coverage simultaneously.

If I terminate employment, elect COBRA and then enroll in Medicare, can my family members still continue their COBRA coverage?

Yes. If you enroll in Medicare after you elect COBRA and you are within the original maximum continuation period of your qualifying event, your family members can continue their COBRA coverage for up to 18 months from the date of the original qualifying event (your termination of employment).