Health Plans

Understanding the benefits available to retirees

When it comes to your retirement health insurance, it’s important to know that you have options. In addition to the temporary COBRA continuation coverage available to medical plan participants upon termination of coverage, IU offers transitional coverage in the form of the Anthem PPO HDHP retirees under 65 and Anthem IU Blue Retiree for retirees over age 65.

Indiana University does not contribute to the cost of retiree coverage—the participant pays the full cost of these plans.

Your retirement age, and the age of any enrolled family members, will factor strongly when choosing a medical plan. Many individuals may only need to supplement Medicare with the Blue Retiree plan while others might choose the Anthem PPO HDHP plan because a family member is not yet eligible for Medicare.

*It is important to note that retirees with spouses who are active employees can continue coverage as a dependent in the spouse’s IU plan.

Anthem PPO HDHP

A transitional plan for retirees who separate from the university before age 65.

IU Blue Retiree

A plan for retirees aged 65 or older looking to supplement their Medicare coverage.

Medicare

A basic understanding of Medicare helps you understand how IU-sponsored plans benefit you. Medicare helps cover some, but not all, healthcare expenses. We have provided a summary that outlines coverage and enrollment, but you can visit the Medicare site for more information.

Get full details at Medicare.gov

Medicare overview

Part A - Part A helps cover inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility care, home health, and hospice.

Part B - Part B helps cover visits with doctors and other health professionals, outpatient services and testing, certain home health services, and durable medical equipment.

Part C - Medicare Part C consists of Medicare Advantage plans offered by private companies as an alternative to original Medicare. Medicare Advantage plans cannot be paired with a Medigap plan, nor the IU Blue Retiree Plan, to pay deductibles and coinsurance. IU does not sponsor this type of plan.

Part D (Prescription) - Medicare Part D is prescription coverage and is available from various private insurance companies approved by Medicare. IU does not sponsor this type of plan.

Note: Medicare Parts A and B have separate deductibles that must be met before your benefits are payable, and Part B benefits are subject to a 20% patient coinsurance. Non-participating Medicare healthcare providers can also bill you for amounts above Medicare’s deductible, coinsurance, and approved amounts.

Medicare coverage options

To learn more about your coverage options visit the Medicare coverage lookup page, or download Medicare’s “What’s Covered” app for free on the App Store or Google Play.

Enroll in benefits

Medicare is individual coverage. If you’re married, both you and your spouse must each enroll in your own coverage. The following are general guidelines on when to enroll in Medicare once you have retired:

If you are under age 65 when you retire, and are not receiving Social Security benefits, it is a good idea to apply for Medicare Parts A & B three months before you turn 65.

Your initial enrollment period (IEP) for Medicare lasts for seven months, from three months before the month you turn 65 through three months after the month you turn 65.

If you are turning age 65 near your retirement date, contact IU Human Resources at askHR@iu.edu or (812) 856-1234 for guidelines on enrollment timing.

If you are age 65 or older when you retire, you should enroll in Medicare during your special enrollment period (SEP). Your SEP is the 8-month period that begins the month after your employment ends, or your group coverage ends, whichever happens first. Your Medicare coverage start date will be set six months back, or back to your 65th birthday, whichever is closest.

Important: COBRA isn’t considered coverage based on current employment and has no Medicare special enrollment period when it ends.

You may enroll in Medicare while still employed if you become eligible. However, since your IU coverage is the primary policy while you are an active member of the faculty or staff, you may not be able to use Medicare until you retire.

Note: It is important that you understand the consequences of Medicare enrollment, like your ability to contribute to an HSA. Review these Frequently Asked Questions for important considerations

Enrolling in Medicare starts at Medicare.gov or by calling the local Social Security office. The Medicare website also lists all the companies that offer standardized Medigap or Medicare Advantage plans available where you reside.

Customer Service

IU Human Resources

Retirees can contact IU Human Resources ataskHR@iu.edu or 812-856-1234 for information about retirement, retiree status or benefits, and/or COBRA.

Anthem PPO HDHP (Retirees Under 65)
Customer Service Center: (844) 736-0920
Select Blue Access PPO
BlueCard network providers outside of Indiana: 800-810-2583 or www.bcbs.com

Anthem IU Blue Retiree Plan (Retirees Over 65)
Customer Service Center: 833-363-1429

Medicare
1-800-MEDICAREMedicare.gov

State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP)
1-877-839-2675
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