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Coverage for Medicare-Eligible Retirees
Termination and Reinstatement
COBRA
Special Continuation of Coverage
Disability Benefits
Contact the Health Benefits Program

Health Benefits Videos

Forms and Downloads

Responsibilities & Health Benefits Assistance

Choosing a Health Plan

Enrollment

Changes in Status

Effective Dates of Coverage

Health Plan Premiums

Medicare Part B & IRMAA

Coverage for Medicare-Eligible Retirees

Termination and Reinstatement

COBRA

Special Continuation of Coverage

Disability Benefits

Contact the Health Benefits Program


NYC Health Benefits Program

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City Coverage for Medicare-Eligible Retirees

In order to maintain maximum health benefits, it is essential that you join Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Part B (Medical Insurance) at your local Social Security Office as soon as you are eligible. If you do not join Medicare, you will lose whatever benefits Medicare would have provided. Read More

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The City’s Health Benefits Program supplements Medicare but does not duplicate benefits available under Medicare. Medicare-eligible members must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B in order to be covered by a Medicare HMO plan. To enroll in Medicare and assure continuity of benefits upon becoming age 65, contact your Social Security Office during the three-month period before your 65th birthday. In order not to lose benefits, you must enroll in Medicare during this period even if you will not be receiving a Social Security check.

If you are over 65 or eligible for Medicare due to disability and did not join Medicare, contact your Social Security Office to find out when you may join. If you do not join Medicare Part B when you first become eligible, there is a 10% premium penalty for each year you were eligible but did not enroll. In addition, under certain circumstances there may be up to a 15-month delay before your Medicare Part B coverage can begin upon re-enrollment.

If you or your spouse are ineligible for Medicare Part A although over age 65 (reasons for ineligibility include non-citizenship or non-eligibility for Social Security benefits for Part A), contact us at:

NYC Health Benefits Program
22 Cortlandt Street, 12th Floor
New York, NY 10007

Coverage for those not eligible for Medicare Part A can be provided under certain health plans. Under this Non-Medicare eligible coverage, you continue to receive the same hospital benefits as persons not yet age 65.

If you are living outside the USA or its territories, Medicare benefits are not available. Under this Non-Medicare eligible coverage, you continue to receive the same hospital and/or medical benefits as persons not yet age 65. If you do not join and/or do not continue to pay for Medicare Part B however, you will be subject to penalties if you return to the USA and attempt to enroll.

If you are eligible for Medicare Part B as a retiree but did not file with Social Security during their enrollment period (January through March) or prior to your 65th birthday, you will receive supplemental medical coverage only, and only through GHI/EBCBS Senior Care.

Medicare Enrollment

You must notify the Health Benefits Program in writing immediately upon receipt of your, or your dependent’s, Medicare card by completing the Medicare Part B Reimbursement Application. Read More

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If your plan does not provide coverage for Medicare enrollees, you will have the opportunity to transfer to another plan that does.

Once the Health Benefits Program is notified that you are covered by Medicare, deductions from your pension check will be adjusted, if applicable. The Health Benefits Program will then notify your health plan that you are enrolled in Medicare so that your benefits can be adjusted. If you are Medicare-eligible and are enrolling in an HMO you must complete an additional application which you must obtain directly from the HMO.

Medicare Part B Reimbursement Application

Medicare and Retiring Employees

At retirement, employees who have chosen Medicare as their primary plan or whose dependents have not been covered on their plan because their spouse/domestic partner elected Medicare as the primary plan may re-enroll in the City health benefits program. This is done by completing a Health Benefits Application and submitting it to their agency health benefits, payroll or personnel office. Also at retirement, Medicare-eligible employees for whom the City Health Benefits Program had provided primary coverage are permitted to change health plans effective on the same date as their retiree health coverage.

Learn More about Medicare Part B IRMAA

Medicare Part B Reimbursement Application

Medicare Part B Reimbursement FAQs