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As we have indicated, our insurance consultant Denise Doyle from Stop Loss Insurance Brokerage has prepared the following summary for our Members and Retirees.
We are asking anyone with any questions to please direct them to Group Insurance at City Hall 617-635-4500.
At some point in the future, the Federation will hold an informational summary on this issue. The short is that we are advised that no Member, or former Member at least for the time being, will be adversely impacted.
Boston Police Superior Officers Federation
Section 18a- Medicare Eligible Retirees
Effective 7/1/10
The law, effective 7/1/10, will require Medicare-Eligible retirees, spouses and dependents to enroll in a Medicare Supplement Plan. It only applies to future retirees, who retire after the date of adoption.
However, any retiree who turns 65 in the future and is Medicare- eligible, can enroll in Medicare A&B and a Medicare Supplement Plan.
Medicare Eligibility:
You or your spouse worked for at least 10 years in Medicare covered employment , and
You are retired, and 65 years old.
When you retire, confirmation of Medicare eligibility status will be required for both the retiree and dependents.
Exception: When retirees have a non-Medicare eligible dependent who must be covered by a family plan. (i.e. full time student under the age of 26).
What to do:
When turning 65, the individual must enroll in Medicare A and Medicare B, this can be done up to three months prior to turning 65 and three months after turning 65. Medicare A does not cost anything , and Medicare B costs $110.50 per month or higher, depending upon yearly income in 2008. The City will pay 50% of the Medicare B premium.
Your Yearly Income in 2008
File Individual Tax Return File Joint Tax Return Part B Premium Employee Cost
Less than $85,000 Less than $170,000 $110.50 $55.25
$85,001-$107,000 $170,001-$214,000 $154.70 $77.35
$107,001-$160,000 $214,001-320,000 $221.00 $110.50
$160,001-$214,000 $320,001-$428,000 $287.30 $143.65
Above $214,000 Above $428,000 $353.60 $176.80
Sometimes employee and spouse will pay different part B premiums given the information above.
What to do when an Employee or Spouse Turns 65?
- Determine Status- Retired or still working?
- Determine Medicare Eligibility- if ineligible, get proof of ineligibility from Social Security
- If employee is still working, subscriber and spouse should still enroll in Medicare Part A and provide Medicare information to the City of Boston.
What if?
1. Retiree ( and spouse) has/have dependent children on the plan they may remain on a family plan but must enroll in Medicare Part A & B and notify the City of Boston (Medicare will be primary).
2. Active Employee with no dependents turns age 65 on August 21 and will retire December 1. – Employee should enroll in Medicare part A only effective August 1st and then enroll in Medicare Part B effective December 1st. The effective date for the Medicare Supplement plan will be the date of retirement, December 1st. (there is no penalty for picking up Part B when over 65 because employee is still working between August 21st and December 1st).
3. Employee with spouse turns 65 on August 1st and retires on August 1st (spouse is under 65 and not eligible for Medicare). Medicare A&B for retired employee should be effective August 1st and effective date for Medicare Supplement Plan is August 1st. The non-Medicare-eligible spouse enrolls in a single plan (usually the same health plan spouse had prior to retiree becoming eligible for Medicare). When spouse turns 65, they enroll in Medicare A & B and is enrolled in the Medicare Supplement Plan. (as a single). Both employee and spouse will have their own individual plan with separate ID #s.
4. (Not Mandatory). Retired Employee with Spouse turns 65 on February 1st and has been retired for 2 years. Spouse is also over 65. Employee and spouse can enroll in Medicare A & B and opt to move into a Medicare Supplement Plan to save on cost, if applicable, effective February 1st.
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