CITY OF BALTIMORE

DHR-EMPLOYEE BENEFITS DIVISION

IMPORTANT MEDICARE INFORMATION

As a Baltimore City retiree, you and your covered dependents must enroll in BOTH MEDICARE PART A (HOSPITAL INSURANCE) & PART B (MEDICAL INSURANCE) as soon as you or your dependent is eligible.

 Who is eligible for Medicare?

• People age 65 or older

• Some people with disabilities under age 65 determined by Social Security Administration (SSA)

• People with End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant)

 When and How Do I Enroll in Medicare Parts A & B?

If you are not already getting Social Security retirement benefit checks, you should call or visit your local Social Security office or call Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 to enroll in Medicare Parts A & B during your Initial Enrollment Period. Your Initial Enrollment Period begins three months before the month you turn 65 and ends three months after you turn 65. If you wait until the month you turn 65, your Medicare Part B start date will be delayed.

If you are already getting Social Security retirement checks due to a disability, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B and a Medicare card will be mailed to you on the 25th of the month after the disability benefits began. When you receive your Medicare card, the Social Security Administration will give you the option of turning down the enrollment in Part B. 

 BALTIMORE CITY REQUIRES THAT YOU ENROLL IN BOTH MEDICARE PARTS A & B.

Note: If you and/or your spouse do not enroll in Medicare Part B when you are first eligible, you will not be able to enroll until Social Security Administration’s General Enrollment Period. This period runs January 1 through March 31 each year and will become effective July 1. The premium for Part B Medicare may increase by 10% for each 12-month period that you could have had Part B, but did not enroll. If the premium for Part B increases, you will have to pay this extra amount as long as you have Part B. If you have any questions regarding how to enroll in Medicare Parts A & B, contact your local Social Security office at      1-800-772-1213.

 What will happen to my Baltimore City health plan coverage when I become eligible for Medicare?

The month you and/or your spouse turn 65, Medicare Parts A & B will become your primary coverage (all eligible claims are paid by Medicare first). Your Baltimore City health plan coverage will become a supplemental plan to Medicare, which will be your secondary coverage. Your Baltimore City supplemental health plan will cover only that portion of your health claims not covered by Medicare up to the maximum Medicare Allowed Amount.

 If I do not enroll in both Medicare Parts A & B when I am eligible, how will my claims be affected?

If you do not enroll in both Medicare Parts A & B when you are eligible, your Baltimore City health plan coverage will be converted to the supplemental health plan coverage for the individual who is Medicare eligible.

 THE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE WILL THEN BE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE PORTION OF CLAIMS THAT BOTH MEDICARE PARTS A & B WOULD COVER AS PRIMARY.

 Your Baltimore City supplemental health plan will cover only that portion of your health claims not covered by Medicare up to the maximum Medicare Allowed Amount.

 What do I do after I enroll in both Medicare Parts A & B and receive my Medicare card?

Once you have enrolled and received your Medicare card from Social Security Administration, you must contact our office to request an Employee Benefits Enrollment Form to give us your Medicare claim number and effective dates of both Medicare Parts A & B. Submit your completed enrollment form along with a copy of your Medicare card to DHR-Employee Benefits Division, 201 E. Baltimore Street, Suite 500, Baltimore, MD 21202 eight weeks prior to your 65th birthday.

 If you have any questions regarding your Baltimore City health plan coverage, please contact our office at 410-396-5831. Baltimore City retirees should select option 2 and then choose option 1 to speak to a customer service representative. If you have any questions regarding Medicare benefits, please call 1-800-633-4227.

REV. 01/26/08