Help Your Employees Make Confident Medicare Decisions
Erie Medicare Associates offers a free HR Med-Ed Program for local businesses.
We help employees who are turning 65 or retiring understand their Medicare options and make a smooth move from group health coverage to Medicare when the time is right.
We take the Medicare questions off your HR team’s plate. Our licensed agents explain how Medicare works, compare Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Part D prescription drug plans available in Erie County, and help each employee find coverage that fits their needs and budget. First-time enrollment or annual review, we make the process simple.
How It Works
1
Reach Out
Call (716) 319-4613 or fill out our contact form to connect with a licensed agent.
2
Talk Through Options
We review current work coverage, how Medicare works, and which plans fit each employee’s needs.
3
Review the Plans
We compare plans side by side by phone, email, mail, or in person.
4
Enroll When Ready
Enroll right away or take time to decide. We’re here before, during, and after.
Medicare FAQs for Employers and Employees
Turning 65 while still working raises a lot of questions. When should employees sign up? What happens to their work coverage? What does HR need to do? Here are answers to the questions we hear most from Erie County businesses and their teams.
Should Employees Turning 65 Sign Up for Medicare If They Have Work Coverage?
It depends on the size of the employer. At companies with 20 or more employees, group health coverage usually pays first, and employees can often delay Part B without a penalty. At companies with fewer than 20 employees, Medicare usually pays first, so employees generally need to enroll in Parts A and B when they’re first eligible. We review each employee’s situation so they avoid gaps in coverage and late enrollment penalties.
Is the HR Med-Ed Program Free?
Yes. There’s no cost to your business or your employees. Plan costs are the same whether employees enroll with us or on their own.
What Happens When an Employee Leaves Work Coverage?
When employees lose group coverage based on current employment, they get an 8-month Special Enrollment Period to sign up for Part B without a penalty. The window starts when their job or their coverage ends, whichever comes first. We help employees time their Medicare start date so there’s no gap in coverage.
What Should Employees With an HSA Know About Medicare?
Employees can’t contribute to a Health Savings Account once they’re enrolled in any part of Medicare, including Part A. Part A coverage can start up to six months before the month someone applies, so employees should stop HSA contributions six months before enrolling to avoid a tax penalty.
What Paperwork Does HR Need to Provide?
Employees enrolling in Part B after leaving group coverage usually need form CMS-L564, the Request for Employment Information. HR completes it to confirm the employee had group coverage. We walk both you and your employees through the forms.
Does Retiree Coverage Replace Medicare?
Usually not. Most retiree health plans pay after Medicare and require retirees to enroll in Parts A and B. Without Medicare, retirees may end up with large unpaid bills. Check the retiree plan rules, and we’ll help compare them to individual Medicare options.
How Do Employees Meet With an Agent?
Employees can meet with us by phone, by email, or in person. We can also hold group information sessions on-site at your business.
Questions About Medicare for Your Team?
We Can Help.