The only way to delay enrollment into Medicare Part B and not have a premium penalty is to have creditable employer group health plan coverage (i.e., a major medical policy).

 Our supplement plan, even if it is through a Corporate group, is not a creditable employer group health plan. The employer joins an association (usually AMRA or GEA) in order to make the plan available to its eligible employees. The policy is actually an association plan. Furthermore, the plan is not a full-blown health plan … it is just a supplement. So having our supplement does not qualify the insured for delayed penalty-free enrollment into Medicare Part B.

 Will our Supplement End Even if the Insured Delays Enrollment into Medicare Part B?

Yes. Our supplement plan ends as soon as the person becomes eligible for Medicare, even if he/she does not sign up for it right away.

Does Delayed Entry into Medicare Part B Negatively Impact Eligibility for TRICARE for Life?

TRICARE for Life (TFL) is the plan TRICARE participants receive when they turn 65. It is designed to be used along with Medicare Parts A and B.

 According to the “TRICARE for Life Handbook,” delay of Part B could mean that the person loses his/her TFL eligibility. This handbook can be found by Googling “TRICARE for Life.” Here is an excerpt from the handbook:

 I will be 65 soon and will become entitled to Medicare. I work full time and have employer group health plan coverage, and I don’t plan on retiring for a few more years. Medicare says I can delay my Part B enrollment if I have employer group health plan coverage. How does this affect my TRICARE benefit? 

Medicare allows individuals with group health plan coverage based on current employment to delay Part B enrollment and sign up during a special enrollment period, which waives the late-enrollment premium surcharge. If you or your spouse still works and has group health plan coverage through current employment, you may sign up for Medicare Part B during a special enrollment period, which is available within the eight months following (1) retirement, or (2) the end of group health plan coverage, whichever comes first. 

If you are entitled to premium-free Medicare Part A, you must also have Part B to remain TRICARE-eligible, even if you have group health plan coverage based on current employment. Sign up for Part B before you retire or lose group health plan coverage to ensure your TRICARE coverage under TFL will begin immediately following the end of your group health plan coverage. Your TFL coverage begins on the first day you have both Medicare Part A and Part B coverage.

 Where Can the Insured Find More Information?

• Call his/her regional office of TRICARE.
• Visit www.tricare4u.com (the TFL site).
• Find the TRICARE for Life Handbook online.
• Call Medicare at 1-800-633-4227.