Medicare and your IECC Insurance Coverage
What is Medicare?
The Medicare program began in 1965 to provide health insurance coverage for people age 65 or older. Today, Medicare is the nation’s largest health insurance program, covering more than 45 million people age 65 and over and those under age 65 with certain disabilities. Original Medicare (Parts A and B) has traditionally provided coverage for health care services such as hospital stays, skilled nursing facilities and doctor visits. Medicare helps with health care costs but does not cover all medical expenses.
Qualifying for Medicare -
Eligibility guidelines - You’re eligible for Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) coverage if you or your spouse paid into Social Security for at least 10 years through employment, and you are a citizen or permanent resident of the United States. Even though the full Social Security retirement age is no longer 65, you are still eligible for Medicare at age 65. You may qualify for Medicare benefits before age 65 if you become disabled and meet Social Security eligibility requirements. For more information on eligibility, contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit the Web site at www.ssa.gov.
Medicare Second Payer -
Since IECC is considered a large employer, Medicare is considered secondary to our insurance policy. This means that your BCBS coverage through IECC (Primary insurance) pays first for health care claims. Secondary insurance (Medicare) pays after the primary insurance for some or all of what the primary insurance did not cover.
Medicare and your HSA -
If you are enrolled in the District Plan and participating in the HSA, you may not be eligilbe to participate in the HSA once you enroll in Medicare. Please find more information in our one page informational guide, Medicare Coverage and your Health Savings Account, and by review the document and websites listed below.
Medicare Part D -
Helpful Documents:
Helpful websites: