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. For help in understanding how Part D drug plans to qualify for a reduced premium.work, please visit the Medicare website under Costs for You receive Medicare Part A at no cost if you receive aMedicare drug coverage: www.medicare.gov/part-d/ Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board (RRB) benefit. Part D PenaltiesYou can apply for Medicare through a spouse if you haveIf you do not enroll in a Medicare Part D drug plan when been married at least one year, or through an ex-spouseyou first become eligible for Medicare, you may have to pay (living or deceased), if you were married for at leasta late enrollment penalty, unless you have proof of other 10 years. creditable coverage. Medicare Part D penalties are the total Paying for Medicare Part Aresponsibility of the member. CTPF may bill a member to recover these costs if CTPF pays these costs in error.If you do not qualify for premium-free Part A coverage, you must purchase this coverage. CTPF takes over thisNote: All CTPF-sponsored Medicare plans have included responsibility and pays Medicare on your behalf when youcreditable prescription coverage since 2006.enroll in CTPFs MedPay program. (see page 28) IRMAA Higher Income Adjustments Medicare Part B Premium for Medicare Part B and Part DAlmost everyone must pay for Part B coverage. You areMedicare beneficiaries with higher incomes pay moreresponsible for making payments directly to Medicare, andfor Part B and Part D insurance.will receive a monthly or quarterly bill unless you:This Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount receive a Social Security benefit. Medicare deducts(IRMAA) is deducted from a beneficiarys Social Security the Part B premium cost directly from monthly SSAbenefit or direct-billed by Medicare. The Social Security benefits. Administration uses federal tax returns to determine high participate in CTPFs MedPay program. CTPF paysincome status.Medicare on your behalf. (see page 28) Paying for IRMAAPay Medicare Part B bills promptly to avoid losing all yourAll IRMAA expenses are the total responsibilityhealth insurance coverage. If you are not eligible for theof the member. CTPF does not subsidize IRMAA.CTPF MedPay program, CTPF recommends enrolling in theCTPF may bill a member to recover these costs if CTPFMedicare Easy Pay Program to help avoid payment lapses.pays these costs in error.Easy Pay allows Medicare to deduct your monthly premium payment directly from your checking or savings account.PART B: CTPF will make Medicare Part B IRMAA payments Medicare administers Easy Pay; obtain an application aton your behalf if you are enrolled in CTPFs MedPay www.medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE. Program. (see page 28)CTPF 2023 HEALTH INSURANCE HANDBOOKCTPF 2023 HEALTH INSURANCE HANDBOOK27'