Retirement Frequently Asked Questions

Retiring From Emory FAQs

Health Care

A.As Medicare does not cover all of your medical costs, generally a person needs some protection to help pay the costs of care that are not covered.

A. Yes, as long as the plan continues and the required cost is paid.

A. No. The health care plan does not allow retirees to add new dependents.

A. Yes, you can still continue to have health care coverage. The plan is available to you.

A. Yes. The cost of your health care coverage is subject to change depending on the claims of the group. When there is a change in the cost or coverage, you are notified by mail. Please make sure your address is correct in Employee Self Service or call the benefits office.

A. Yes, retirees may change their coverage to a different plan with Emory during the annual election period. If the new plan you elect has an age restriction, you must meet the criteria.

• Aetna POS is a Point of Service Plan administered by Aetna and offers the flexibility to use in-network and out-of-network physicians. Pharmacy benefits are included.

A. The health care benefits continued at retirement are not guaranteed to be the benefits for retired employees or their dependents in the future. Emory has the right to terminate the plan and to terminate any class of employees, including retired employees and their dependents, as eligible persons for plan benefits.

A. Yes. You need to consult the letter sent to retirees in the fall of each year to determine the change in cost. The change in cost is effective the month in which the covered person becomes age 65.

A.Claim forms are available from the Emory University Benefits Department. You can pick them up in person, or if you call or write, the forms will be mailed to you. You can also download the Aetna Claim Form

Q. If I have coverage with an Emory plan as well as Medicare, who pays my claims first?

A. If you are eligible for Medicare benefits, Medicare pays claims first. Aetna then pays what is called a "Medicare Carve Out". This means Aetna pays the difference of [the amount Aetna would have paid if it was primary] and the [amount paid by Medicare] for eligible charges, including prescriptions.

A. Once Medicare provides a statement of the amount paid, the statement must be sent to Aetna for the balance of the eligible charges, including both Medicare part A and Part B deductibles to be paid. Claims should be sent to:

Aetna Life Insurance Company

PO Box 14079

Lexington Kentucky 40512-4079

 

Aetna Claims should be sent by the physician to the address on your medical card.

For physician charges, you should inquire whether or not the physician's office will file the claim for you.

Social Security and Medicare

A. You must apply as benefits do not start until you file an application. Contact the Social Security Administration at (800) 772-1213 to file an application. Your application can be taken over the phone, or you can arrange for an appointmentat any Social Security Office.

A. File your application at least three (3) months prior to the date you elect retirement benefits to begin, but not earlier than four (4) months before you reach age 62. In any event, contact Social Security during the three (3) months before age 65 to be sure you apply for Medicare coverage at the appropriate time. There are cost penalties for applying for Medicare after the initial eligibility period. The Social Security Administration can explain these to you.

A. Yes. You need:

• your Social Security card or a record of your number
• your birth certificate
• marriage certificate (if signing up on a spouse's record)
• your most recent W-2 Form
• a check or any papers that show your bank account number if you wish to have your Social Security payments deposited directly into your bank account

Do not wait to apply if you do not currently have all the documents. They can be provided later.

A. Your payments are made by direct deposit to your bank account. If you do not have a deposit account with a financial institution and can provide certification of such, your payments can be paid by check through the mail.

A. Yes, you still pay, regardless of your age.

A. It depends upon your age. You are only subject to the retirement earnings limit if you are receiving Social Security retirement benefits before attaining full retirement age.

A. When you exceed the earnings limit, $1 of benefits is withheld for every $2 you earn above the limit.

A. Yes, call the Social Security Administration and report this information so that benefits are not paid incorrectly. You have to pay back any benefits paid incorrectly. Penalties can also be incurred for intentionally failing to report your earnings or reporting them incorrectly.

A. The following publications may be obtained at any Social Security office or by calling (800) 772-1213. You can also view these publications on the Social Security Administration website. For Medicare publications, contact the Medicare Office at (800) 633-4227, or view them on the Medicare website. All publications are provided at no cost.

• Retirement Benefits - How Work Affects Your Benefits (Publication No. 05-10069)
• Social Security - Understanding the Benefits (Publication No. 05-10024)
• Medicare (Publication No. 05-10043)
• Medicare and You (Publication No. CMS 10050)
• Medicare and Other Health Benefits - Your Guide to Who Pays First (Publication No. CMS 02179)
• Your Medicare Benefits (Publication No. CMS 10116)

Emory University Benefits

Hours of Operation: Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Wed - 8:00am - 3:00pm
1599 Clifton Road, NE
Atlanta, GA 30322
(404) 727-7613 phone
(404) 727-7145 Fax

Disclaimer

Emory reserves the right to terminate, suspend, withdraw, amend or modify the Plan in whole or in part at any time. Further, Emory reserves the right to terminate or modify coverage for any group of employees, active or retired and their dependents or a class of dependents at any time.