b'Enrollment & Premium PaymentMedicare Part A Premium Part B Assistance Some individuals may qualify for a state-sponsored You may qualify for premium-free Part A coverage if youPart B premium assistance program. If you qualify forpaid Medicare taxes while working. Members hired on orPart B assistance, notify CTPF immediately.after April 1, 1986, paid Medicare taxes through payroll deductions. Medicare Part D PremiumPremium Free Medicare Part AAll CTPF plans include Medicare Part D prescription drug You must earn 40 Medicare quarters or credits tocoverage. The cost of Part D coverage is included in your qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A; or 30+ quarterspremium.to qualify for a reduced premium.Part D PenaltiesYou receive Medicare Part A at no cost if you receive aIf you do not enroll in a Medicare Part D drug plan when Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefit. you first become eligible for Medicare, you may have to pay You can apply for Medicare through a spouse if you havea late enrollment penalty, unless you have proof of other been married at least one year, or through an ex-spousecreditable coverage. Medicare Part D penalties are the total (living or deceased), if you were married for at leastresponsibility of the member. CTPF may bill a member to 10 years. recover these costs if CTPF pays these costs in error.Paying for Medicare Part ANote: All CTPF-sponsored Medicare plans have included If you do not qualify for premium-free Part A coverage,creditable prescription coverage since 2006.you must purchase this coverage. CTPF takes over thisIRMAA Higher Income Adjustments responsibility and pays Medicare on your behalf when you enroll in CTPFs MedPay program. (see page 34) for Medicare Part B and Part DMedicare beneficiaries with higher incomes pay moreMedicare Part B Premium for Part B and Part D insurance.Almost everyone must pay for Part B coverage. You areThis Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount responsible for making payments directly to Medicare, and(IRMAA) is deducted from a beneficiarys Social Security will receive a monthly or quarterly bill unless you:benefit or direct-billed by Medicare. The Social Security Administration uses federal tax returns to determine high receive a Social Security benefit. Medicare deductsincome status.the Part B premium cost directly from monthly SSA benefits. Paying for IRMAAparticipate in CTPFs MedPay program. CTPF paysAll IRMAA expenses are the total responsibilityMedicare on your behalf. (see page 34) of the member. CTPF does not subsidize IRMAA.Pay Medicare Part B bills promptly to avoid losing all yourCTPF may bill a member to recover these costs if CTPFhealth insurance coverage. If you are not eligible for thepays these costs in error.CTPF MedPay program, CTPF recommends enrolling in thePART B: CTPF will make Medicare Part B IRMAA payments Medicare Easy Pay Program to help avoid payment lapses.on your behalf if you are enrolled in CTPFs MedPay Easy Pay allows Medicare to deduct your monthly premiumProgram. (see page 34)payment directly from your checking or savings account. Medicare administers Easy Pay; obtain an application atPART D: Government regulations prevent CTPF from www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. making Medicare Part D IRMAA payments on your behalf. CMS will bill you monthly for this expense. CTPF 2021 HEALTH INSURANCE HANDBOOKCTPF 2021 HEALTH INSURANCE HANDBOOK33'