Montgomery County Public Schools

 Employee and Retiree Service Center → Retirees → Benefits for MCPS Retirees → Health Benefits → Medical Plans → Medicare

Medicare Information

Montgomery County Public Schools requires all participants in MCPS retiree benefits to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B when first eligible for Medicare in order to maintain medical and prescription benefits through MCPS.

If you do not enroll in Medicare Parts A and B as required, your MCPS medical and prescription benefits will be terminated.

This page will get you acquainted with Medicare and tell you the steps you need to take to apply for Medicare coverage so that you don’t risk losing your MCPS benefits.

What is Medicare?

Medicare is the U.S. federal government health insurance program. Medicare helps to pay for health-related expenses such as hospital stays, doctors’ visits, and more.

Medicare is divided into three main parts:

1. Part A provides hospitalization coverage
   • No premium (generally)
   • Enroll when first Medicare-eligible
    
2. Part B provides standard medical coverage
   • Premium paid to the Social Security Administration
   • Enroll when first Medicare-eligible (unless you are covered under an active employee health plan)
   • If you and/or dependent are covered under an active employee group health plan, enrollment in Medicare Part B may be deferred until you retire.
    
3. Part D provides prescription coverage
   • The MCPS-sponsored prescription plans are “creditable prescription plans”
   • The MCPS-sponsored prescription plans have equal to or better prescription benefits for most retirees and/or dependents
    
More detailed information about Medicare and the type of coverage provided by each different Part, please visit the Medicare website.

Eligibility for Medicare Coverage

You and/or your dependent(s) are eligible for Medicare if you are:

• age 65 (or over if you have been employed and covered by an active employee group health plan), or
• receive disability benefits from the Social Security Administration and are beginning the twenty-fifth month of entitlement, or
• have End-Stage-Renal Disease (ESRD).

An individual is eligible for Medicare the first day of the month you turn 65 if you have not qualified for enrollment before the age of 65.  If you will be 65 on the first day of the month, you will be eligible for Medicare the first day of the previous month.

• Are you or your dependent(s) eligible for Medicare at the time of your retirement? (PDF)
•  More information about Medicare eligibility is available in the Retiree Benefit Summary (PDF)

Medicare and Your MCPS Medical Benefits

When you enroll in Medicare Parts A and B, your Medicare coverage becomes primary and your MCPS coverage becomes secondary.

• Medicare Supplemental Chart
  Learn more about how your MCPS benefits supplement your Medicare coverage

 Your MCPS monthly coverage premium will also be reduced to reflect the conversion of MCPS to secondary coverage. Please refer to the Retiree Benefit Summary for current premium rates with Medicare. 

 

Medicare and Your MCPS Prescription Benefits

MCPS prescription plans have been deemed “credible coverage plans” because they provide coverage that is equal to or better than Medicare Part D. Most retirees choose to maintain coverage with their existing MCPS-sponsored CVS/Caremark or Kaiser Permanente prescription plan.

Enrollment in a Medicare Part D plan is not permitted for a retiree and/or dependent that has MCPS-sponsored prescription coverage.

• Learn more (PDF) about credible coverage and how enrolling in Medicare Part D will affect your current benefit.
• Read about the rules concerning diabetic supplies under CVS/Caremark prescription coverage

 

Take Action

Don’t risk losing your MCPS benefits! Begin the process of applying for Medicare Parts A and B at least three months prior to your eligibility.

 

Here are the steps to follow when applying for Medicare:

1. At least three months prior to your Medicare eligibility date, call the Social Security Administration (1-800-772-1213) or visit the local Social Security office to begin your application process.
   • You will receive your Medicare card with Parts A & B in approximately six weeks.
    
2. Send a copy of your Medicare card with Parts A and B to the Employee and Retiree Service Center (ERSC) at least 30 days prior to the effective date of your Medicare coverage.
3. Complete the necessary medical forms to switch your primary coverage to Medicare and to maintain your secondary MCPS coverage. These forms will be mailed to you by the ERSC Medicare specialist approximately 3 months before you turn age 65. 

Medicare and UnitedHealthcare

Retirees enrolled in medical benefits through UnitedHealthcare may elect to participate in the UnitedHealthcare crossover program. Participants agree that Medicare can submit claims to UnitedHealthcare on your behalf, eliminating the need to submit your own claims to UnitedHealthcare.

• More information about the UHC Crossover program (PDF)
• Frequently Asked Questions about the UHC Crossover program (PDF)
• Enroll in the UHC Crossover program (PDF)

• Need help with the enrollment form? View our printable instructions (PDF) for more information.

Medicare and Kaiser Permanente HMO

Retirees enrolled in medical benefits through Kaiser Permanente must submit the Kaiser Permanente application (PDF)directly to Kaiser Permanente.

 

Medicare and CareFirst BlueChoice HMO

Retirees enrolled in medical benefits through CareFirst BlueChoice will receive the application form to participate with Medicare directly from CareFirst. Contact CareFirst for additional information.