Medicare

Medicare provides you with continued healthcare coverage once you turn 65 and when you no longer have access to employer-provided group health coverage.

 

Nothing will change with your medical plan while you remain a benefits-eligible employee.

For Medicare Part A:

It is recommended to enroll in Medicare Part A with Social Security during your Initial Enrollment Period before turning 65 to be effective the month of your 65th birthday. Part A is free.

For Medicare Part B:

It is recommended to defer enrolling in Medicare Part B while receiving USF benefits. Upon retirement or termination of employment, please contact the Benefits Team at benefits@usfca.edu as a Medicare form (CMS-L564) will need to be completed by USF so that you can take it with you when enrolling in Part B. This form waives the penalty imposed by Medicare as it carries a premium.

Please contact the Benefits Team at least a month prior to your termination so that we can send you the CMS-L564 form.

You have 8 months from the date on which you lose coverage through USF to enroll in Part B without penalty. For example, if your USF benefits end on May 31, you have until January 31 to enroll without penalty.

For Medicare Part A:

It is recommended to enroll in Medicare Part A with Social Security during your Initial Enrollment Period before turning 65 to be effective the month of your 65th birthday. Part A is free.

For Medicare Part B:

Enroll in Part B at the same time you enroll for Part A. A Medicare CMS-L564 form is not required. Part B carries a premium.

If you do not enroll in Medicare within the Initial Enrollment Period, you may have to wait to sign up and pay a monthly late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B coverage. Find out more information here.

For questions regarding Medicare, you can reach out to HICAP (the Health Insurance Counseling & Advocacy Program), which provides free and objective information and counseling about Medicare:

https://cahealthadvocates.org/hicap

Tel.: 800-434-0222