Q. If I go to work somewhere else after retiring and enroll in their health plans, can I still return to Baltimore County plans at a later date?
A. Yes - during the annual open enrollment in July you have that option. Or, if you leave that job and as a result lose their benefits, you can enroll immediately upon confirmation of your loss of benefits without waiting for open enrollment.
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Q. If I am happy with my current health plan should I still read the open enrollment announcement?
A. YES, even though you may be happy with your plan, there may be changes in the plan or in the cost of the plan which could result in your making a change. The open enrollment announcement is the ONLY method we have to notify you of plan or premium changes.
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Q. What happens when I become Medicare eligible and my spouse is not?
A. Medicare Parts A & B will become your primary health plan. Baltimore County will provide you with a Medicare Supplemental Plan. Your spouse, not yet Medicare eligible, can remain as an individual in the plan you were in together prior to your Medicare eligibility.
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Q. What will happen to my spouse's health insurance if they are enrolled under my plan with Baltimore County and I predecease them?
A. The retirement option you choose at the time you sign your retirement papers will determine whether or not your widow/widower will be eligible to remain in a Baltimore County sponsored health plan. For this reason, you should weigh your choice of retirement options very carefully. Generally, the pension check your widow/widower receives must be sufficient to cover premium costs.
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Q. If I predecease my spouse and they are eligible to remain in the Baltimore County group plan, will they pay the same premium as when I was alive?
A. Not necessarily. Their premium and subsidy will be based upon their age and their Medicare eligibility. Currently, Baltimore County contributes 75 percent of the cost of a widow/widower's health insurance. This would also include eligible dependent children. The widow/widower's 25 percent is deducted from the monthly benefit they receive from Baltimore County.
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Q. If I marry or remarry after I retire, can I add my new spouse to my health insurance plan(s)?
A. Yes you may. You have 31 days from the date of marriage to add a new spouse to your group coverage. Contact the Insurance Division for an application.
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Questions on any of the above should be directed to the Baltimore County Insurance Division. Call either 410-887-2569 or 1-800-274-4302.
Revised July 1, 2008
Courthouse 