Medicare

As an RWJF retiree, when you or your covered dependent (spouse/civil union/domestic partner) turn age 65, CIGNA becomes the secondary medical insurance carrier, while Medicare becomes the primary medical insurance carrier regardless of your enrollment status in Medicare.

In order to avoid potential fees and claim expenses, we have outlined below some of the basics around what Medicare covers, how and when to enroll in Medicare, and eligibility for premium reimbursement from the Foundation. 

For more detailed information, it is important that you review the most recent online version of the Medicare & You booklet. You may also have one mailed to you by calling 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

As you read through the information below, please note that “you” can refer to you (the RWJF retiree) or your spouse/civil union/domestic partner.

Medicare Enrollment (Parts A and B)

If you are collecting your Social Security benefits at the time you turn age 65:

• Enrollment in Medicare Parts A (hospital) and B (medical) is automatic and requires no action from you.
  

• Your Medicare card will be mailed to you about three (3) months prior to your 65th birthday.

If you are not collecting your Social Security benefits when you turn age 65:

• Enrollment in Medicare Parts A and B is not automatic and requires action from you.

• At least three (3) months before you turn age 65, you should receive the Medicare enrollment information from the government, but you can apply directly by contacting Social Security at (800) 772-1213. You can also apply online.

Important: Once you are enrolled in Medicare you will need to contact CIgna at (800) 244-6224 to provide them with your Medicare ID number. 

Enrollment Period

• Your “Initial Enrollment Period” is a 7-month period that begins three (3) months before the month you turn age 65 and concludes three (3) months after the month you turn age 65.

• Enrolling early in Medicare Parts A and B will help to avoid delays in receiving coverage.

If you fail to sign up for Medicare (Part A and/or B) during the initial enrollment period, the following will occur:

• Cigna will only reimburse, according to the Plan agreement, the balance of allowed claim expenses you would be entitled to if you were enrolled in Medicare, even though you are not.

• You will be responsible for paying the portion of the claim expenses generally covered by Medicare.

• You will have to wait until the “General Enrollment Period” to enroll which is January 1 to March 31 with a coverage effective date of July 1 of the same year.

• If you enroll in Medicare after your “Initial Enrollment Period”, you may have to pay a higher premium for late enrollment. This penalty would remain in place for the duration of your Medicare coverage.

If you or your spouse/civil union/ domestic partner were enrolled in the Foundation health plan (Cigna) at the time of your retirement, then you or your spouse/civil union/domestic partner are eligible for Medicare Part B standard premium reimbursement.

• Enrollment in the Foundation's medical plan and proof of enrollment for you or your spouse/civil union/domestic partner in Medicare Part B is required.
  

• Contact us shortly before your 65th birthday to arrange for quarterly reimbursement.  

The Foundation does not provide reimbursement for the following Medicare premium costs:

• Medicare Part A premiums (if applicable)

• Medicare Part B late enrollment penalties

• Medicare Part B indexed portion of premium for higher income brackets

• Medicare Part C premiums

• Medicare Part D premiums

• Medicare premiums for dependents not enrolled in the Foundation health plan at the time of your retirement

Getting Reimbursed

The Medicare Part B basic premium reimbursements will be reimbursed by Alliant Insurance Services Administrators, Inc. (AIS) at the end of each quarter.

Options for receiving your reimbursement: 

• By check 
• ACH deposit into your bank account at the end of each quarter. 

If you prefer to be reimbursed by ACH bank transfer, you will need to complete the ACH Bank Transfer Form and return to AIS at:

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation

c/o AIS Administrators

PO Box 12009

Cheshire, CT 06410

Phone: (800) 458-9594

Email: questions@aisadmin.com

If you and/or your spouse/civil union/dpmestic partner will be enrolling in Medicare Part B in the future and are eligible to receive the reimbursement, please email a copy of your Medicare Part B card to Human Resources at benefits.rwjf.org or mail to the Foundation at 50 College Rd. E. Princeton, NJ 08540 Attention: Human Resources. You do not need to send a copy to AIS.

Medicare Part B Reimbursement Dates

The Medicare Part B reimbursement checks will be mailed on the dates below and ACH bank credits will be sent to your bank on these dates. Please allow 24-48 hours for your bank to post the monies.  

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Medicare gives you access to a variety of preventive tests and screenings, most at no cost to you. In addition to yearly wellness visits, Medicare covers screening tests for diabetes, colon cancer, breast cancer, osteoporosis, heart disease, and obesity management—just to name a few. 

Preventive services can help keep you from getting sick, and can help you find health problems early, when treatment works best. Taking advantage of them is a proactive step in maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

Visit Medicare.gov to see a complete list of Medicare-covered preventive services.