Overview
If you are an active employee and enrolled in a UNI or State of Iowa health plan or are covered as a dependent under an active employee’s plan, your current health plan will continue to be your primary insurance. You or your spouse/domestic partner should enroll in Medicare Part A effective on the first of the month in which you turn age 65. However, if your 65th birthday falls on the first day of the month, then Medicare Part A should be effective on the first day of the preceding month. Wellmark will contact you by mail near the time of you or your spouse/domestic partner’s 65th birthday to request Medicare information. Please comply with their request to ensure coordination of benefits. If Medicare is chosen to be the primary insurance, you will no longer be covered by the University or State of Iowa health plan.
Medicare Part A is at no cost to you and may supplement your current health plan if you are hospitalized. You or your spouse/domestic partner may delay enrolling in Medicare Part B until you retire from UNI. There is a monthly premium for Medicare Part B and you do not need this coverage until you retire. In addition, while you are actively employed, it is not necessary to be enrolled in a Medicare Part D program. Your current health plan will cover prescription benefits.
If you or your spouse/domestic partner turn 65 and are receiving benefits from Social Security, you will automatically get Parts A and B. Your Medicare card will be mailed to you about three (3) months before your 65th birthday. If the card shows both Medicare Parts A and B coverage, follow the instructions to delay Medicare Part B and keep Medicare Part A. You or your spouse/domestic partner will be mailed an updated card that shows just Medicare Part A coverage.
If you or your spouse/domestic partner are not receiving Social Security, you will need to sign up for Part A. You should contact your local Social Security Administration office three (3) months before you turn age 65 to sign up for Medicare Part A.
In order to avoid penalties, we suggest you or your spouse/domestic partner contact the Social Security office to inform them that you have primary coverage through UNI and do not need Medicare Part B at this time.
Waterloo Social Security Office
3121 Greyhound Drive
Waterloo, IA 50701
Phone: (888) 456-9554
Hours: Monday – Friday 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M.
Driving Directions
Active Employee Age 65 or Older Preparing to Retire
You should have already enrolled in Medicare Part A effective when you turned age 65. Contact your local Social Security office three (3) months prior to your retirement date to determine your Medicare eligibility and to enroll in Medicare Part B. Advise the representative that you have been working past age 65 and that your Medicare B coverage should be effective the first day of the month following your retirement date if you are on the State of Iowa plan, and the first day of the next month following your retirement date if you are Faculty or Staff. For specific dates please contact the HRS Benefits Team to determine when your employer paid coverage will end.