Medicare is the federal program that most retired Americans age 65 or older use as their primary medical insurance.
Medicare for UC Retirees
It is very important for UC retirees to coordinate Medicare with their UC retiree health plans. However, that coordination is not automatic. Eligible retirees will receive instructions that state "Action Required" from the Retirement Administration Service Center starting three months prior to the month that they (and their covered family members) turn 65.
Retirees (and covered family members) who qualify for Medicare Part A for free at age 65 (or earlier due to disease or disability) must enroll in Part B and coordinate Medicare with their UC medical coverage unless:
- They live outside the U.S.A., and/or
- Retired at age 65 or older prior to July 1, 1991 and were not enrolled in Medicare at that time.
Local assistance with Medicare
For local assistance from UC health plan specialists, particularly when you need to coordinate Medicare with UC retiree health insurance for the first time, call your HCF—ideally three months prior to the month that you turn 65.
The Medicare Fact Sheet: UC's Medicare policies for retirees [PDF] describes UC's policies around Medicare for UC retirees.