I was laid off recently from Cisco and enrolled in RMAP to continue with my insurance policy including medical, dental and vision. But now after about a month being on RMAP, my medical bills are not getting covered by RMAP. Cisco benefits tells me that RMAP is not my primary insurance and I must have Medicare as my primary and RMAP is my secondary insurance. Does it mean that I have to enroll in Medicare and pay for Medicare plus pay almost 900 monthly for RMAP as well? Has anyone been in this situation? I appreciate any advice.
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I was able to use cobra until my medicare kicked.
I chose UHC plan G instead of RMAP. The RMAP plan looked similar, both are supplemental, but I feel the standardized medicare plans are safer and better. Also, they are a lot cheaper, $200 v $900, since Cisco offers but does not susidize the insurance.
I opted for vision VSP rmap since it is cheaper than going direct.
Dental rmap seems ok but I opted out. The insurance cost $500/yr but is capped at $1500 max payout so worst case if I have a lot of dental bills, I am out $1000. Though, with two cleanings a year and annual check up, it is not a bad deal.
As others said, I would avoid medicare advantage. You get locked in a network and need referrals for procedures. Also, they can change the terms on you every year.
That said. After moving from Cobra, my monthly bill dropped by only $120 with dropping dental.
Hello!
Yes, I was in the same situation several years ago. After I was laid off, I signed up for Medicare and continued with RMAP as my secondary insurer. However, the cost was a bit too high for me, so I quit the Cisco medical insurance plan and signed up for Medicare Supplemental Insurance with United Healthcare. (I chose their Plan 'F'). But I retained the Cisco dental and vision insurance. I kept that portion of the total package because I was told that, if I quit the Cisco RMAP plan completely, I would not be able to re-enroll if for any reason that became necessary. (My informant may have been mistaken or, if the information was correct at the time, this restriction may have been lifted since; I don't know).
What others have said. RMAP is not good for 65 and older. Drop it. If over 65, you should get Medicare A&B, and also get a part D for dr-gs (if you don't get part D now, you'll be penalized for the rest of your life. Read the fine print), and a supplement plan. I suggest you look into AARP supplement through United Healthcare. My wife is over 65 and that's how we have her setup, although she does still use my RMAP dental and vision. Also, as others have stated, be VERY careful about Medicare Advantage plans. Many doctors don't support it or like it.
RMAP may be expensive for under 65 folks, but there really aren't better options on Healthcare.gov. Been there, tried it, back to RMAP.
RMAP for 65 and older is useless and confusing.
If I enroll in Medicare parts A and B then I can keep RMAP only for vision, dental and prescription dr-gs. Is that correct?
Be aware that RMAP only covers what medicare does not. It does NOT operate like a medicare supplement plan which picks up the portion of the bill not covered by medicare. RMAP is a poor option if you have medicare.
"Is anyone on Medicare using RMAP as their secondary insurance? If so, how much does RMAP cost in that situation? And is it worth it?"
I was considering using RMAP and Medicare and did some research. Based on Medicare if you are age 65 and older, you can just register just for medicare part A and use any other provider for part B. So you can use RMAP to cover for part B. The cost depends on the plan and the provider but it is more expensive than medicare part B. In addition you can pay more and include dental, vision, prescription dr-gs into RMAP as well. I am new to medicare, I think I am going to register for medicare part A and B, and will keep RMAP for dental, vision and prescription dr-gs for now.
RMAP must have changed because when I signed up they were very clear that it would end at 65.
Is anyone on Medicare using RMAP as their secondary insurance? If so, how much does RMAP cost in that situation? And is it worth it?
Medicare Advantage is not Medicare. Medicare Advantage is through a private corporation, Medicare Part B & D is through the federal government.
Don't be fooled by Medicare Advantage advertisements.
Keep in mind that RMAP is more expensive compared to similar coverage from other providers even though Cisco HR sells it as Cisco perk
Shop around and you will save money
Once one hits 65, Medicare typically becomes their primary insurance. Any existing insurance then typically becomes secondary.
In the RMAP case, after you turned 65, Medicare would be your primary insurance and RMAP your secondary insurance.
RMAP is best for individuals who leave the company or are LRd that are under 65 but eligible due to length of service combined with age equaling 65. It's a bridge to ensure you are not without health insurance before Medicare kicks in. You definitely want to sign up for Medicare once eligible. I suggest you get a consultant to work with you to ensure you are signing up for the right parts. And also, meet with your financial planner (or get one if you don't have a FP) and map out your retirement plan which will include social security, supplemental costs for Medicare and draw down of retirement savings over time.
Hi. I worked with a specialist. Best option is Medicare A,B and D with Plan G Plus as your Supplemental. i chose BCBS but there are other options. To date tje coverage has been excellent.
The same reason Cisco's HSA program had tons of hidden fees and limited options. It makes Cisco $$$. Medicare Advantage is a scam system to make money. Go with Medicare Part B and Supplement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DIpCheOvUU&t
Instead of complaining, read up on rules and policies that are provided as part of LR and benefits. No reasons to assume and pay up when policies are well defined. Medicare takes precedent over other insurance in retirement.
@yra+1sMjlmG0, Then why Cisco is offering RMAP including medical, dental and vision to LR'd employees who are over 65? Cisco positions RMAP as a full coverage and not as a Medicare supplement and that is very confusing.
65+ = Medicare and potentially a supplement
Avoid Medicare Advantage it's a scam
@vrv+1sMjlmG0, yes I am over 65 and LR'd recently. I enrolled in RMAP instead of COBRA. Cisco did not tell me that I should enroll in Medicare so I thought just RMAP is sufficient. If I enroll in Medicare for medical coverage then I can use RMAP only for dental and vision and that is much less than 900. Now that I have paid for two months premium and have medical expenses, Cisco says I should have enrolled in Medicare. Confusing.
That seems odd to me. I was told I'd have been eligible for RMAP when when I was LR'd several years ago if I'd been one year older. You have to be age 50 or older, and have 5 yrs of Cisco service. When I was LR'd, during my last 30 days as an employee, I both turned 49 and completed my 5 yr service anniversary.
When I had an opportunity to come back as a contractor for a short-term project, I leapt at the chance because I knew that once I got my foot back in the door, there was a strong chance I'd convert again to employee (blue badge) status, and I have. Now when I'm LR'd (again), I'll be able to sign up for RMAP in case I can't find a new employer with good health insurance.
I've not hear anything about needing Medicare, especially given that I'm not eligible for it. I have read one thing about RMAP and that it was medical coverage until Medicare. So, if @vhe+1sMjlmG0 is the OP and is over 65, that sort of makes sense that Cisco would require that they have Medicare as their primary insurance.
Doesn't everyone have to enroll in Medicare by age 65 or pay penalties when they do sign up, with some exceptions? I just went to Medicare.gov and used the "When do I sign up?" questionnaire and it said, if you're over 65, have insurance through your (previous) employer, i.e. RMAP, you have to enroll in Medicare within 8 months of your employment terminating, so it that case, yes, you have to enroll and pay for Medicare plus the RMAP costs.
My Dad, who retired back when companies had pension plans and offered retirement benefits, had to enroll in Medicare and it's his primary insurance and his employer provides a insurance plan that is a Medicare supplemental plan. It's certainly not $900 a month though. Maybe after enrolling in Medicare, and at the next open enrollment, you can select a different health plan that's cheaper. Not having RMAP myself yet, I don't know what plans are available.
If you're over 65, and you were LR'd, it seems like you would have had a life changing event and you should have been able to change your benefit coverage to something that was more of a Medicare supplemental plan than our usual primary care plan.
I wrote the first comment and I am older than 65.
Who’s eligible for Medicare?
Generally, Medicare is for people 65 or older. You may be able to get Medicare earlier if you have a disability, End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a transplant), or ALS (also called Lou Gehrig’s disease).