If You Lose Eligibility Because You're Medicare-Eligible
If you elect retiree medical benefits for yourself and your qualified dependents before you're Medicare-eligible, retiree medical benefits end for everyone once you become Medicare-eligible. When this occurs:
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You may apply for Medicare supplemental insurance for yourself through FBMC. The supplemental insurance is provided through the PacifiCare Secure Horizons plan within specific counties. To qualify, you must contact FBMC and apply within 30 days after your retiree medical benefits end.
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Your dependents may continue their county coverage under COBRA for up to 36 months from the date you become Medicare-eligible. FBMC will notify your dependents of this option by sending a COBRA qualifying event notice with an election form to be returned to FBMC. Based on the date you retire and the date you become Medicare-eligible, COBRA may provide a longer period of continuation coverage for qualified dependents than retiree medical benefits will. For more information, contact Benefits and Retirement Operations. (See Contact Information.)
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You and your qualified dependents may continue the retiree dental plan you elected when you were first eligible.
If you retire once you become Medicare-eligible or afterward, you and your dependents won't be eligible for retiree medical benefits. However:
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you may apply for Medicare supplemental insurance for yourself through FBMC, as described above;
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your qualified dependents may continue county benefits under COBRA for up to 18 months from your loss of coverage due to retirement or 36 months from the earlier Medicare entitlement date, whichever is greater; and
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you can elect the retiree dental plan for you and your qualified dependents.
For information on Medicare supplemental insurance options, contact the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA). (See Contact Information.)
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