Medicare Facts and FAQs
Medicare Annual Enrollment Period
We realize that you may have individual Medicare supplemental coverage at this time. Via Benefits is available to evaluate your current plan(s) and ensure you are receiving the most benefit for your dollars.
- If you decide to make a plan change with Via Benefits, you must do so during the Medicare Annual Enrollment Period that runs each year from October 15 through December 7. Please note, there may be some plan change restrictions during this enrollment period.
Medicare and You Handbook
Interested in learning more about Medicare? We encourage you to review the Medicare and You Handbook.
Information Session Presentation
Via Benefits has presented a Medicare enrollment overview for Loyola employees interested in learning more about Medicare. View the webcast of the Medicare Presentation.
FAQs
Please view the FAQs below to learn more about Medicare.
Learn more about Medicare using the resources below and by visiting the Medicare Facts and FAQs page.
- Medicare Part D Creditable Coverage Notice
- Medicare Request for Employment Information form
- Medicare Basics—Contains information regarding types of Medicare coverage, including cost, along with how and when to enroll in a plan.
- Medicare & You Handbook—Official government handbook with detailed information explaining the Medicare insurance program.
You can enroll in Medicare Part A and/or Medicare Part B in the following ways:
- Online at www.SocialSecurity.gov.
- By calling Social Security at 1.800.772.1213 (TTY users 1.800.325.0778), Monday through Friday, from 7:00AM to 7:00PM.
- In-person at your local Social Security office.
1) You can enroll in Medicare Part A; there isn't a fee, and it is secondary to Loyola's health insurance plan. 2) Faculty and staff do not need to enroll in Medicare Part B during employment; you can wait until 90 days prior to retirement to enroll in Part B.
If your spouse turns 65 before the faculty or staff member, they can stay on the Loyola medical insurance plan, and they can sign up for Medicare Part A because it does not cost anything. Loyola's medical insurance plan is still their primary coverage.
There will not be a penalty if you enroll in Medicare after age 65 as long as you have health insurance coverage until your retirement date.
If someone is on COBRA and they turn 65, this person will no longer be eligible to COBRA their health insurance plan and this person will have to pick up Medicare coverage.
Did you miss a Medicare publication? Or would you like to learn more about general Medicare information? Checkout the Medicare.gov website.
Medicare provides diverse coverage for different healthcare needs. Learn more online.
If you drop or lose your current coverage with Loyola University Chicago, and don’t join a Medicare drug plan within 63 continuous days after your current coverage ends, you may pay a higher premium (a penalty) to join a Medicare drug plan later.
- If you go 63 continuous days or longer without creditable prescription drug coverage, your monthly premium may go up by at least 1% of the Medicare base beneficiary premium per month for every month that you did not have that coverage.
- For example, if you go 19 months without creditable coverage, your premium may consistently be at least 19% higher than the Medicare base beneficiary premium. You may have to pay this higher premium (a penalty) as long as you have Medicare prescription drug coverage.
Some health care costs that are not covered by Medicare may be eligible for coverage by Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap).
If you need to file a claim or an appeal regarding services and/or support provided by your Medicare provider, please visit the Medicare.gov website.
