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GIC outlines Medicare enrollment rules for members turning 65 and retirees
Summary
Paul Murphy, GIC director of operations, explained when members must enroll in Medicare and the timelines that affect members and spouses, including state law requirements and Social Security’s role in eligibility determinations.
Paul Murphy, director of operations for the Group Insurance Commission, outlined GIC requirements and timelines for members who turn 65 or retire and who may be eligible for Medicare.
Murphy said the GIC sends a letter to members three months before their 65th birthday with instructions on enrolling in Medicare Part A and Part B and a list of the Medicare supplemental plans the GIC offers. “Under state law, you are required if you are Medicare eligible, you must enroll in a GIC Medicare supplemental plan to continue your GIC benefits,” Murphy said.
Murphy described several common scenarios and the associated timing and documentation requirements. If a retiree has GIC coverage three months before turning 65, GIC will contact the member with plan options and enrollment instructions. If a member turns 65 while still employed, the member may enroll in Medicare Part A and defer Part B without penalty while working; once the member retires, GIC requires enrollment in the Medicare plan.
He said a member who is already over age 65 at retirement has seven months from the retirement date to apply for Medicare Part A and Part B. Murphy emphasized that Medicare alone does not replace supplemental coverage: most members will need a GIC Medicare supplemental plan to cover deductibles and copays that Medicare does not pay.
Murphy also noted special handling when a retiree covers a spouse younger than 65. In that “one under and one over” scenario, the member must enroll in a Medicare plan, while the spouse can enroll in a GIC non‑Medicare plan; GIC treats them as two individual policies rather than a family policy.
Murphy warned that Social Security is the only agency that can determine Medicare eligibility and handle enrollment. “Social Security is the only person or agency that can tell you if you are eligible for Medicare. GIC has no information regarding the eligibility, so you must contact Social Security directly or look at their website, medicare.gov, to enroll in benefits,” he said.
He said failure to enroll in Medicare when required can lead the GIC to cancel GIC coverage for retirees who do not enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B.
