WARNING: There have been questions concerning other insurance plans as well as OEA retiree coverage. Everyone must understand that if you choose any other post 65 plan such as a Medicare Advantage Plan or a prescription drug plan YOU ARE NOT COVERED UNDER SEARV. Those plans as well as SEARV's plan coordinate with Medicare benefits and Medicare does not allow duplicate coverage. If you want to use coverage other than SEARV please tell the Administrator that you are opting out of SEARV coverage.
A second red flag has come up about continuing coverage from the employer's insurance company. To date no incidents have been logged but there have been incidents around the country where employers's benefit insurance companies have automatically enrolled the retiree in their Medicare Plans when the retiree turns 65. That causes a conflict just as described above. Make sure you know all the details about you insurance coverage when you retire. Again if you have ANY questions contact the Plan Administrator.
Are you retired? If not then you need do nothing until you have set your retirement date. Once you know when you are retiring follow the steps below for those turning 65 who are retired. Give yourself several months before retiring to start the process. It can take several months to get everything in place so the day you retire you are covered by both Medicare and SEARV.
If you are retired, are you receiving Social Security?
YES - If you intend to start taking Social Security benefits then you will automatically be enrolled in Medicare including both Part “A” (hospitalization) and Part “B” (medical insurance). Medicare will start deducting your Part “B” premium from your Social Security benefit as soon as you turn 65. DO NOT ENROLL IN MEDICARE PART "D" (prescription drugs).
NO – If you are delaying taking Social Security benefits until a later age, you must still contact Medicare and get your Medicare coverage started. You will need to make your Part “B” premium payments until such time as you start receiving Social Security benefits and then that premium is deducted directly from your monthly benefit. YOU MUST BE ENROLLED IN MEDICARE INCLUDING PART “B” TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR SEARV COVERAGE. DO NOT ENROLL IN MEDICARE PART "D" (prescription drugs).
Once you are enrolled in Medicare, contact SEARV and complete the enrollment process. Listed below is a link to the enrollment form that must be completed and forwarded to the SEARV offices at least 30 days prior to the date your coverage starts.
There will be a monthly self-contribution for your SEARV Medical Supplemental and Prescription Drug coverage. Currently that self-contribution amount is $30 per month, per person. The SEARV Board of Directors sets that self-contribution amount each year so it is subject to change.
If you have any questions or need help call the SEARV Administrative Offices at CW Breitsman Associates at the toll free phone number 1-866-520-9174..
