Medicare and You
Medicare is a federal health care insurance program for people age 65 and older. The age at which you are eligible for Social Security may be higher than age 65, depending on the year in which you were born. While your Social Security retirement age may be higher than age 65, your eligibility for Medicare starts at age 65. Medicare enrollment is required for anyone who is eligible.
You May Be Missing Out on Additional Benefits
People younger than age 65 may also qualify for Medicare and Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) monthly cash benefits if the Social Security Administration finds that your health conditions meet their standard for disability. If you are eligible, these benefits may provide you with additional income from Social Security, as well as additional health care benefits available through Medicare, while continuing your benefits and maintaining your eligibility through the state. This offers additional benefits to you and provides a mutual benefit for the state.
The State of Connecticut has partnered with Public Consulting Group, Inc. (PCG), to assist our members with SSDI applications and Medicare enrollment, at no cost to our members. PCG combines a wealth of knowledge and expertise, with a hands-on, customer-focused approach, to help you file your SSDI application, and when successful, assist with early Medicare enrollment. PCG’s staff will guide you, step-by-step, through the process. If you or a dependent is under age 65 and you/they feel you may be eligible for Social Security Disability Insurance, please call PCG at 800-805-8329. If you or a dependent is notified that you are eligible for Medicare, regardless of your/their age, contact the State of Connecticut Retiree Health Insurance Unit at 860-702-3533.
Medicare Part A and Part B
Medicare coverage has various parts. Medicare Part A (hospital care) is free and enrollment is automatic if you are eligible for Medicare. You must enroll in Medicare Part B (physician services) and pay a monthly premium. It is essential that you enroll in Medicare Parts A and B for the first of the month you are first eligible for enrollment. Typically, this is the first of the month in which you turn 65. We recommend that you contact Medicare to begin the enrollment process at least three months before your 65th birthday. Failing to do so will result in a disruption in your health coverage.
Note: If you are not eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A, you are not required to enroll in Part A. If this is the case, you must submit a statement to the Retiree Health Insurance Unit from the Social Security Administration verifying that you are not eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A. You are still required to enroll in Medicare Part B, even if you are not eligible for Part A.