Retirees and Medicare

Effective January 1, 2004, all retirees eligible for Medicare (Parts A and B) will be required to enroll in Medicare (Parts A and B) to continue the EBRPSS plan as a Medicare Supplement. Retirees eligible for Medicare will not be allowed to continue their coverage with EBRPSS as primary only. You may contact Medicare at 1-800-772-1213 to determine your current eligibility and the penalty for late enrollment (generally, 10% for each year not enrolled but eligible). You may also obtain information at the Medicare web site: www.medicare.gov.

There are three (3) times when you can sign up for Medicare Part B:

1. Initial Enrollment Period (when you turn 65),
2. General Enrollment Period (January 1 thru March 31 each year),
3. Special Enrollment Period (waited to enroll in Part B because you were still working)

Retirees not eligible for Medicare may continue the EBRPSS plan; however, the premium structure in future years will reflect a non-Medicare rate (will be higher than the rate for retirees with Medicare).