Medicare Advantage Plans - Why Apply
Once a retiree, spouse, or domestic partner reaches age 65, he/she may want to apply for Medicare Part A and B as soon as they become eligible because the healthcare provider becomes the secondary payer for them. He/she may also incur a penalty of 10% of premium per year for not signing up for Medicare, Part B when first eligible to do so. The Medicare Advantage plans sponsored by the District of Columbia Human Resources Department (DCHR):
· CareFirst Medicare Advantage
· United HealthCare Medicare Advantage
What are Medicare Advantage Plans?
Medicare Advantage plans are Medicare-approved plans from private insurance companies that offer an alternative to the original Medicare plan (Part A and Part B). To learn more about how Medicare Advantage plans work, click on the following link: https://www.medicare.gov/Pubs/pdf/12026-Understanding-Medicare-Advantage-Plans.pdf.
Who is eligible to enroll in the Medicare Advantage Plan?
Only annuitants who currently participate in a DCEHB plan and have Medicare Part A and Part B. Each enrollee must be Medicare-eligible. If a dependent is not Medicare eligible, the annuitant may not enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan and must stay in a current non-Medicare plan. For example, if you have a dependent not Medicare eligible, you may not enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan if you wish to insure your dependent.
What is the difference between the DCEHB program, Medicare, and Medicare Advantage?
Do I have to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan?
No, you are not required to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan. Enrolling in Medicare Advantage is optional.
Can I drop my Medicare Part B coverage and keep the Medicare Advantage plan?
No. Enrollment in Medicare Part B is a requirement of the District of Columbia Government. If you are considering enrollment in one of the Medicare Advantage plans, you must maintain your Medicare Part A and Part B coverages.
I’d like to change my current health plan; how do I complete the DCEHB Election Form?
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If you are making a change to your plan, you must complete Sections 1, 2, 3, and 4.
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If you are adding a spouse or domestic partner, you are required to submit a copy of the marriage certificate or domestic partnership registration.
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If you are adding a child, you must submit a birth certificate for each child.
If you are considering canceling your enrollment in the DCEHB program, you will not be allowed to re-enroll at a later date.
Please submit a copy of your Medicare card to DCRB when you become Medicare eligible and receive your Medicare Card.
Members can submit their materials to DCRB Member Services in a variety of ways:
- Fax us at (202) 566-5001
- Send USPS mail to us at:
District of Columbia Retirement Board
Attn: Member Services Center (Open Enrollment)
900 7th Street NW, 2nd Floor
Washington, DC 20001
