Revised Medicare Eligible Notices Begin Next Week

NRECA currently sends notices to benefits administrators (BAs) and participants in NRECA group benefits plans in advance of individuals becoming eligible for Medicare. The language and timing of the notices have been revised to reflect the ending of post-65 retiree coverage effective December 31, 2014. The new notices will go into effect next week.

Letters and Message Center alerts
The Message Center alerts to BAs and the letters to participants were sent 90 and 45 days, respectively, before an individual became eligible for Medicare. The revised notices will be sent to participants and BAs 120 days before Medicare eligibility commences to coordinate with the OneExchange notification process, for those cooperatives making that option available.

The letter to participants explains when NRECA group benefits end and Medicare becomes the primary plan. It stresses that participants shouldn’t delay exploring their options to replace their benefits before they end, as they could lose their opportunity for guaranteed issue coverage.

BAs will receive Message Center alerts that identify whether the individual becoming eligible for Medicare is an employee or a dependent. The alerts remind BAs that replacement coverage may be obtained through OneExchange, or the co-op’s own provider, and encourage that individuals be notified of their options at least 60 days before Medicare eligibility begins.

Samples of the letter and the employee and dependent Message Center alerts are posted on the Retiree Insurance Solutions page.

If you have questions, email them to retireeinsurancesolutions@nreca.org.