Covered California and Medicare Transition

People who are eligible for Medicare must report their eligibility to Covered California within 30 days and will need to cancel their Covered California insurance plan. Your Covered California plan will not be automatically canceled.  It is a very important step.

4 Key Items to Remember in Transitioning to Medicare

• Most people will not be automatically enrolled in Medicare.

Unless you currently receive Social Security benefits, Medicare enrollment is not automatic, and you must actively enroll.  Your initial enrollment period starts three months before the month you turn 65 and it ends three months after the month you turn 65. If you miss your initial enrollment period, you may have to wait until the general open-enrollment period in January to sign up. This could result in a delay of the start date of your Medicare coverage. This could also mean that you’d have to pay a higher Medicare premium for the rest of your life.

• Covered California won’t automatically cancel your plan when you enroll in Medicare.

As soon as your Medicare start, you need to cancel your existing Covered California insurance. Your Covered California coverage can’t be canceled retroactively.

• If you are eligible for Medicare Part A with a monthly premium, you may apply for Covered California.

If you must pay for Part A, you may sign up through Covered California.  When you become eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A, you can keep your current Covered California plan, but you will have to pay the full cost.

• If you cannot afford your Medicare premium, you need to apply for Medi-Cal.