Community Chat

[Flika13]

My husband will be retiring October 11. The benefits department told us his medical insurance will continue through November 30. I always thought that insurance will continue until the end of the month that you retired. When I first spoke to a benefits person on the phone I was told insurance would continue for 30 days after the last day of employment. Same person both times. I dont want to make any mistakes with Medicare and I dont want to pay for double coverage. 

Has anyone heard of insurance coverage 30 days after the last month of employment?

[Snowpuppy]

Get it in writing.

[Katcat1]

@Flika13  Yes, I have heard of it and also was in it years ago.  You are usually given 30 days after the termination date.  I am retired and have Humana insurance HMO.  Money is taken out of my check for A & B.  Nothing else is taken out but it depends on where you live.  I am in IL.  You should start looking in to supplemental insurance.

[NicksmomESQ]

 Every employer has their own rules for when their group coverage ends.Get their position in writing so there are no misunderstandings.

[ALRATIBA]

My former employer offered a continuation of our medical insurance as a Medicare supplement as a retirement benefit.  

Medicare is my primary, my benefit insurance secondary.

[Elizabeth03]

I just retired on June 28th.  That was my last day of healthcare coverage through my employer.

[Lisa now in AZ]

I retired last Dec. 17 and figured I would start my Medicare supplement on Jan. 1. Nope, my employer sent me a letter stating that my coverage would stop as of midnight on Dec. 17. Gotta love big companies!

[Love my grandkids]

@Flika13 I will echo the others: Get it in writing!!

[Nuttmeg]

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@ALRATIBA wrote:
@Flika13 

My former employer offered a continuation of our medical insurance as a Medicare supplement as a retirement benefit.  

Medicare is my primary, my benefit insurance secondary.

I have benefits paid for by my former union. I had a BCBS plan as primary and then as secondary insurance for 46 years. This year I have an Aetna Medicare Advantage plan. 

Gym membership discounts and dental exams can be used as fluff to signup customers.  

IMHO. find an insurance agent to help. You need a policy that  will pay the 20% after Medicare pays 80%.

I like a regular Medicare plan with a supplement, and part D.

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[Cats3000]

@Flika13 EVERY employer health insurance plan is different.  Somewhere in your husband's plan it says when his coverage ends.  You gotta get that, no if ands or buts, AND no verbal responses from HR people.  What it says in writing is what it is.

By the way, why are you asking questions?  Your husband is the employee.  Can't he ask for himself?   When he submitted his retifement papers, didn't he get information about continued benefits?

As an aside, when you got a different answer from the same person, didn't you challenge it?  Didn't you ask that person where the information was from?  Didn't you ask the person to show you the information?

Bottom line.  You all have got to get the employer's written information as to when benefits coverage ends for retirees.  Do not accept verbal statements.