Medicare Resources

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance)

Part A covers inpatient hospital stays, care received in a skilled nursing facility, hospice care, and select home health care offered through the federal government.

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance)

Medicare Part B covers certain doctors' services, outpatient care, medical supplies, and preventive services offered through the federal government.

Medicare Part C (also called Medicare Advantage)

Part C is an optional program offered by private insurance companies that contract with Medicare to provide coverage for Part A, Part B and sometimes Part D benefits. These plans are offered by insurance companies and other private companies approved by Medicare.

Medicare Part D

Medicare Part D provides prescription drug coverage. These plans are offered by insurance companies and other private companies approved by Medicare.

If you are not receiving Social Security benefits when you turn 65, you will need to sign up for Medicare Parts A and B. If you are receiving Social Security when you turn 65, you will automatically be enrolled in Parts A and B.

The first time you can enroll is called your Initial Enrollment Period. Your 7-month Initial Enrollment Period:

• Begins three months before the month you turn 65.
• Includes the month you turn 65.
• Ends three months after the month you turn 65.

Medicare Part A

Most should enroll in Medicare Part A when they turn 65, even if they have health insurance from an employer, as you may not have to pay a monthly premium for Part A due to paying Medicare taxes while working.

1. In order to qualify for the premium-free Part A you or your spouse (living, deceased or divorced) will need to have paid Medicare taxes during at least 10 years of work.
2. If you are not eligible for premium-free Part A, and you don't buy it when you're first eligible or during a special enrollment period, you may have to pay a penalty. The penalty premium is 10% of the current premium paid over twice the number of years you were eligible for Part A and did not enroll.

Medicare Part B

If you are still employed by the university, and are turning 65, you are eligible to remain on the university's comprehensive health and dental plans, and it will remain as your primary coverage. You may elect to enroll in Part B as your secondary coverage or delay enrollment until your coverage from the university ends.

If you do not enroll in Part B once eligible or during a special enrollment period, you will have to pay a late penalty premium for as long as you are enrolled in Part B. Your premium may go up to 10% for each full 12 month period that you were eligible for Part B but did not enroll.

You will need to enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B during your applicable enrollment period. If you choose to continue your retiree health benefits from UNI this will pay secondary to your Medicare coverage and prescription drug coverage will be provided. Upon receipt of your Medicare card, please send a copy to UNI so we may update your records and premiums.

If you choose to discontinue your retiree health benefits at UNI please contact Wellmark at (800) 600-4149.

You are also eligible to enroll in the Wellmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Group Program F plan.

If your spouse chooses to elect Medicare as their primary insurance and you wish to remove them from your coverage, you have 30 days from the date your spouse turns 65 or 30 days from the date your spouse's Medicare coverage begins, whichever is earlier. You must provide the documentation showing their Medicare effective date. If you have missed this time frame, you may make changes to your plan during Open Enrollment.

Please review My Employment is Ending, or Retiring from UNI for retiree health information.

Waterloo Social Security Office
3121 Greyhound Drive
Waterloo, IA 50701

Availability : Mon. to Fri. - 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 
800-772-1213

Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP)
2710 St. Francis Drive
Suite 111
Waterloo, IA 50702

Availability
Contact for more information. 
800-351-4664