Medicare and Retiree Options - HTA Insurance Services

Medicare and Retiree Plans

Understand Your Options Before You Enroll

Disclaimer: HTA Insurance does not represent employer retiree plans. Please contact your employer, union, or plan administrator for details about your specific benefits.

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How Medicare Works When You Retire

When you retire and leave active employer group coverage, Medicare becomes the foundation of your health insurance.

Key things to know:

Medicare generally becomes your primary insurance
Most retiree plans require you to have Medicare Part A and Part B
Your retiree plan may work differently than your active employer group plan
You may have a choice between a retiree plan or individual Medicare coverage

Enrolling in Medicare

Visit our How to Enroll in Medicare page.
Follow the step-by-step instructions provided there.
Contact Social Security if you need help with the Medicare enrollment process.

Medicare Part B Premiums

Medicare Part B requires a monthly premium.
Premium amounts are based on your modified adjusted gross income from two years prior.
Higher-income individuals may pay an additional premium amount.
Review the current Income Levels and Premiums chart for the latest Part B premium information.

Your Retiree Benefit Options

The next step depends on how your employer’s retiree benefit is structured.

Option 1: Employer Group Retiree Plan

Your employer offers a Medicare-based retiree plan. This may be structured like a Medicare Supplement-style plan or a Medicare Advantage-style plan.

What to do next:

- Contact your Employer/Plan Administrator for Retiree Plan Benefits and Costs
- Compare your retiree plan to other Medicare options, such as Individual Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plans. HTA Insurance can help!

Important: If you choose your employer retiree plan, HTA cannot enroll you in that plan. You will need to work directly with your employer, union, plan administrator, or required enrollment center.

Comparing Retiree Plans to Individual Medicare Plans

Retiree plans can be valuable, but they are not always the most cost-effective option.

It may be worth comparing your retiree plan to individual Medicare options if:

Your retiree plan costs more than $250 per month, per person
You are unhappy with the coverage
Your doctor or hospital network is limited
Your out-of-pocket costs are higher than expected
You want to better understand how your retiree plan compares to other Medicare options

Video: Retiree Plan Cost Analysis

Option 2: Employer Reimbursement or Subsidy

Your employer provides a reimbursement or subsidy, for you to purchase an individual Medicare Supplement or Medicare Advantage plan.

What to do next:

- Contact your plan administrator for guidance on if you are required to choose from certain approved plans or enroll through a specific enrollment center.

- - If restricted: Contact your enrollment center
  - If no restrictions: Contact HTA to shop individual Medicare plans. We will help you shop plans, enroll and show you how to get receipts for reimbursement.

Important: If you choose your employer restricted plan, HTA cannot enroll you in that plan. You will need to work directly with your employer, union, plan administrator, or required enrollment center.

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Confirm the Rules Before Choosing a Plan

Before comparing options, ask your employer:

Can I choose any Medicare plan?
Can I enroll through any agency or platform?
Do I have to use a specific benefits administrator, or enrollment center?
Will I lose my reimbursement or subsidy if I enroll outside that process?

HTA Insurance can help compare individual Medicare options (if no employer limitations).

Need Help Comparing Medicare Options?

If you would like to review secondary coverage outside of a restricted plan, HTA Insurance can help!

Schedule an Appointment

Please Note: HTA cannot enroll you in an employer retiree plan or any plan that requires enrollment through a specific administrator or enrollment center. Please contact your plan administrator for assistance.