Over the weekend received form where AT&T was trying to identify retirees with a potential disabilities such that they could dump them from the AT&T retiree medical program into Medicaid Disability.
Since AT&T is self insured (they only use health care companies to administer medical), guess this is the latest method of trying to save money by dumping people who are entitled to company subsidized medical.
*There biggest problem is they continue to cover union people when they retire under regular insurance, instead of sending them to Medicare when they turn 65, until that union contract expires. *
Not true. Read the health plan summary. If one isn't an active employee, Medicare is primary, and if a retiree person fails to enroll in Medicare, AT&T will disallow payments for medical bills that Medicare would have paid. It should be covered under "post employment benefits" subsection "enrollment in Medicare".
The plans will serve as the Medigap, and pr-scrip-ion plan. So, there is no requirement to enroll in Medicare Part D. And the retiree gets vision and dental for the life of the contract, at the active employee rate.
Some employees are eligible for a Medicare part B reimbursement which would reduce the cost of part B.
Medicare and Medicaid confuse a lot of people. I believe the OP was referring to Medicare and incorrectly stated Medicaid.
For reference - Medicare is only available to those 65 and over - in most cases (there are other situations i.e., a qualified disability and collecting SSA (Social Security Administrative) benefits for 2+ years).
Medicaid is for those who meet income and resource guidelines and other qualifying factors. Generally, I would not expect a retiree from ATT to have Medicaid but instead only Medicare.
Make no mistake. AT&T spends greater than $6Billion a year on healthcare for employees and retiree's. You can bet your sweet A%^ that they are always looking at any cost savings. There biggest problem is they continue to cover union people when they retire under regular insurance, instead of sending them to Medicare when they turn 65, until that union contract expires.
Allsup does these queries every year kinda like the dependent verification that happens.
"Medicaid is basically deferred bankruptcy for people over 55. Search on Medicaid estate recovery. Someone collecting Medicaid owes every penny spent back to the government after they die."
This is wholly incorrect. Whoever wrote this does not understand the estate recovery provision.
Huge cost savings to the business if we cut retirees benefits. I am sure that is an option on the table finance is looking at.
I would also recommend reading the health plan SPD. For years, if one becomes eligible for Medicare because of disability, they have to enroll. This is not new.
If someone receives benefits from AT&T that medicare would have paid if the person enrolled, they could owe the money back. But, if they're under 65, that would require receiving SSDI benefits for 24 months before they qualify for Medicare. In my case SSDI would mean $2000 month.
This is not correct. AT&T is surveying retirees to see if they qualify for SSDI, and after the appropriate waiting period, Medicare, which generally kicks in 24 months after SSDI qualification. I got the form myself, from Allsup. Thanks for reminding me, I have to send it in.
Medicaid and Medicare are two completely different items. Assuming the retiree is under age 65, AT&T's plan will handle the Medigap aspect.
Medicaid is basically deferred bankruptcy for people over 55. Search on Medicaid estate recovery. Someone collecting Medicaid owes every penny spent back to the government after they die. Without that provision, they couldn't sell Medigap (or Medicare advantage which incorporates Medigap).
.... not surprising