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What if I have prescription drug coverage from a former or current employer or union?

 Medicare offers employers and unions help paying for retiree drug coverage. Your (or your spouse's) former or current employer or union must notify you about how your current coverage compares to Medicare's (minimum) standard prescription drug coverage. Employers or unions may provide this information within a notice or in your benefits handbook. Keep this notice because it can help you decide whether to join a Medicare drug plan. It is your proof of Creditable Prescription Drug Coverage.

You won't have to pay a Penalty if your employer or union stops offering prescription drug coverage that was creditable coverage if you join a Medicare drug plan before going 63 days without coverage. If your employer or union drug coverage isn't as good as Medicare prescription drug coverage (isn't creditable prescription drug coverage), find out about your options from your benefits administrator. You will have several choices. If you aren't notified, contact your benefits administrator.

If you drop your employer or union prescription coverage
If you drop your employer or union coverage, you may not be able to get it back. You also may not be able to drop your employer or union drug coverage without also dropping your employer or union health (doctor and hospital) coverage. If you drop your employer or union coverage for yourself, you may also have to drop coverage for your spouse and dependents. Contact your benefits administrator before you make any change to your drug coverage.

(Primary Source: Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services - Medicare and You Handbook. This content may have been enhanced by Q1Group LLC to include further examples, explanations, and links.)


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