The Benefits Extension Plan (BEP) provides continued medical, dental, and vision coverage for eligible faculty and staff retiring from the university at age 55 or older.

Key highlights

• BEP participants can continue their existing medical, dental, and vision coverage until they become eligible for Medicare.
• BEP participants can also continue coverage for their spouse or domestic partner and/or dependent children.
• If a retiree passes away, their spouse or domestic partner can continue coverage until they become Medicare-eligible. Dependent children will be eligible to continue their coverage up to the Plan's age limit.
• If BEP coverage is discontinued by the participant, it cannot be reinstated.

Eligibility requirements

• You can only participate in the BEP if you are enrolled in an AU medical plan at the time of retirement.
• Dental and or vision coverage can only be continued under the BEP if you are enrolled in those plans in addition to medical coverage at retirement.

If at retirement:

• You are under 65, and your spouse or domestic partner is 65 or older:
  • You may continue your existing AU medical, dental, and vision coverage until you turn 65.
  • Your spouse or domestic partner must enroll in Medicare Parts A and B and purchase supplemental coverage or a Medicare Advantage Plan through Aptia 365.
• You are 65 or older, and your spouse or domestic partner is under 65:
  • You must enroll in Medicare Parts A and B and can purchase supplemental coverage or a Medicare Advantage Plan through Aptia 365.
  • Your spouse or domestic partner may continue your existing AU medical, dental, and vision coverage until they turn 65.
• You have a dependent child under 26:
  • They can continue coverage per plan eligibility until age 26.
  • Upon turning 26, coverage extends until the end of that year, after which COBRA is available for up to 36 months.

AU BEP Contribution

If you are eligible for a subsidy from the university towards the cost of your health coverage, the subsidy will reduce your monthly premium if you retire before reaching age 65. If you are age 65 or older at retirement, your subsidy will be available to you via a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) account administered by Aptia 365 and you must purchase Medicare Supplemental and Part D prescription plans or a Medicare Advantage Plan through Aptia 365 to receive the AU contribution.

Health and Prescription Drug coverage are offered to retirees and their spouses/partners who are Medicare-eligible, exclusively through a private Medicare exchange provided by Aptia 365 For more information, call Aptia 365 at 855-871-0436.

Retirees meeting certain age and service requirements are also eligible for educational benefits for themselves and their dependents.

Additional information on the Benefits Extension Plan (BEP) and educational benefits can be found in the Faculty/Staff Benefits Manual.

General information on signing up for Medicare can be found at the medicare.gov site.

Medicare While Still Working / Special Circumstances (Special Enrollment Periods)

Once your Initial Enrollment Period ends, you may have the chance to sign up for Medicare during a Special Enrollment Period. If you're covered under a group health plan based on current employment, you have a Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Part A and/or Part B any time as long as you or your spouse (or family member if you're disabled) is working, and you're covered by a group health plan through the employer or union based on that work. You also have an 8-month Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Part A and/or Part B that starts the month after the employment ends or the group health plan insurance based on current employment ends, whichever happens first. Usually, you don't pay a late enrollment penalty if you sign up during a Special Enrollment Period. For more information, visit Medicare's Getting Started with Medicare.

You should also consult directly with insurance carrier representatives, the Social Security Administration and Medicare, as applicable, for more comprehensive information regarding your benefits.

Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services
7500 Security Boulevard
Baltimore, MD 21244-1850
800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) TY users can call 1-877-486-2048

Social Security Administration
www.ssa.gov