Human Resources

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 plan 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.

Both Medicare Parts A and B have separate deductibles that must be met before Medicare benefits are payable. Part B benefits are also subject to a 20 percent patient coinsurance. Non-participating Medicare health care providers may also bill you for amounts above Medicare’s deductible, coinsurance, and approved amounts.

To find out if your medical item or service is covered by Medicare Part A and/or Part B, visit the Medicare coverage lookup page or download Medicare’s “What’s Covered” app—available for free on the App Store and Google Play.

Medicare is individual coverage, so if you are 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  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), which 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.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Enrolling in Medicare has a major impact on your ability to contribute to a Health Savings Account (HSA). It is important that you understand the consequences of Medicare enrollment. Review this 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.