I was surplussed December 2023.
Husband turned 65 Feb24 and enrolled in Medicare. Apparently, I was supposed to notify T within 31 days. I didn’t - my understanding is that he’d be dropped automatically from T benefits
Turns out he’s still on COBRA coverage and I can’t drop him without dropping myself and kids.
Sounds wrong to me but all I can get from the help desk.
Any ideas or thoughts?
13 replies (most recent on top)
I’ll take GI Joe over cobra any day.
Kids and family don’t get Medicare and cannot stay on COBRA.
Ask to speak with a Manager as from my experience the helpdesk unfortunately do not know their ar-e from their elbow as have had many negative interactions with them.
"Medicare does not consider Cobra as credible health insurance."
Lmao. Huh?
This is absolutely true. Cobra is not considered credible health insurance once someone turns 65 and is Medicare Eligible. So if you turn 65 while on Cobra, do not think that this will change the deadlines for signing up for Medicare, because it won't. It's not considered the equivalent of a spouse's qualified group health care. And neither is insurance from the ACA marketplace. Unless you have an employee sponsored group health plan for a company with over 20 employees (or are covered by a spouse), you won't have what is considered "credible health insurance" to avoid Medicare Part B premium penalties. This is not an AT&T restriction; it's a restriction in the laws governing Cobra, Medicare, and ACA.
The OP should challenge the statement about dropping the husband means dropping the kids. You should be able to cover any or all "qualified beneficiaries" under Cobra. It's not usually an all or nothing situation. I've found that Alight help desk people don't always know what they are talking about. I went on Medicare shortly before retiring from AT&T so that I wouldn't have any gap in coverage. I found that the Alight help desk was not very "helpful" on Medicare matters, and I would bet that they aren't the most up to date on Cobra, either.
"My point here is …. I think T expects family members to jump into Medicare as soon as possible to alleviate T’s costs."
Family members CANNOT jump into Medicare. Medicare does not cover families; it covers individuals who qualify for Medicare. Your husband is signed up, which is good. He should look into getting a Medigap or Advantage Policy as well. This will cover him and only him. Were you eligible for CEC when you were surplussed? That will go for 6 months concurrently with Cobra, which is 18 months. After that, you will need to find plans on the ACA market place or through another employer, or if you will become Medicare eligible, through Medicare. Again, Medicare plans would not cover your children. Please play close attention to the deadlines for Special Enrollment periods for these life events. You have 6 months after termination of employment to find a Medigap plan (once signed up for Medicare Part B). I am not sure about Advantage plans, since I didn't go that route myself. My suggestion- locate your state's Medicare SHIP program representative (can find on the Medicare web site) and talk to them to get specific advice pertaining to your situation and your state. (Medicare rules, while a Federal Program, have some state specific implications). Best of luck!
OP here- yes, looking into Obamacare…
My point here is …. I think T expects family members to jump into Medicare as soon as possible to alleviate T’s costs.
In this scenario T seems to be saying “oh you missed a window so now you’re all out , unless you pay for something you don’t need”.
I feel sc--wed.
Ge-z can't you beat those prices just going with Obamacare plans?
"Medicare does not consider Cobra as credible health insurance."
Lmao. Huh?
Medicare does not consider Cobra as credible health insurance. The rules are so strict. Wish I knew a solution for you.
Contact your state insurance commissioner
Re Family Plan issue…. Current cost is $1600. Help desk said dropping H would take it down to $804 - before telling me I can’t drop H without dropping all of us because I didn’t ask within 31 days of him turning 65.
Call your previous union steward.
Family plan? Does the cost really matter whether your husband is on there or not? Most active plans are just family, don't differentiate based on amount of kids/spouses on plan.