Tell us about your business
Share the general size and locations of the retiree group, who you hope to cover, and when you want the offering to begin.
- Independent Agency
- Multiple Carriers
- Licensed Advisors
- Ongoing Support
For business owners & organizations
Set up a group Medicare offering for eligible retirees
The Assurance Network works with business owners and organizations interested in offering a group Medicare plan to eligible retirees. We can work with your organization and the carrier to explore a group arrangement, establish the enrollment process, and help eligible retirees enroll once the plan is in place. The employer or organization determines who may qualify, subject to the plan’s rules and availability.
Already covered by a group plan? Group plan benefits are specific to each employer and carrier, and the Assurance Network cannot access or review the details of an existing group plan. For questions about your current coverage, please contact your employer or organization’s benefits administrator or the broker who manages the plan. If you are a business owner interested in establishing a group plan for retirees, we’d be glad to discuss the process.
Getting started
Start a group Medicare plan for your retirees
We’ll work with you to explore the group setup and establish a clear enrollment path.
Set the group rules
Work through eligibility, any employer contribution, the plan arrangement, and the enrollment timing with the Assurance Network and the carrier.
Bring eligible retirees into the group plan
Once the group plan is established, the Assurance Network can guide eligible retirees through enrollment in the group offering.
The group plan
What does “group Medicare” mean?
An employer or organization sponsors or arranges Medicare coverage for people who meet the group’s eligibility rules.
A plan selected for the group
The organization works with a carrier and its appointed broker to establish the group offering. The employer selects the group plan, and eligible retirees enroll in that plan subject to the group’s eligibility rules. The group’s plan documents define eligibility and coverage.
Coverage through a Medicare plan
The group plan may be a Medicare Advantage plan and may include prescription drug coverage or other retiree benefits. A Medicare Advantage plan provides Medicare Part A and Part B benefits through the plan, with its own network and cost-sharing rules. The employer’s selected plan documents explain the coverage.
Planning for your organization
What we’ll discuss with you
A few group details help us begin exploring an arrangement for your retirees.
Group size & locations
About how many retirees may be eligible, and what states or areas do they live in? A general estimate is enough for the first conversation.
Eligibility, contribution & timing
Who should qualify, whether the business plans to contribute toward coverage, and when you want the group offering and enrollment to begin.
After the group is established
How eligible retirees enroll
The employer-selected plan is for the group. Eligible retirees follow the group’s instructions and enroll through the group’s appointed agent or broker.
Confirm group eligibility
The retiree checks the employer or organization’s rules and confirms they are eligible for the offering.
Contact the Assurance Network
Once your organization establishes the group plan with the Assurance Network, we explain the selected plan and guide eligible retirees through enrollment.
Enroll in the group plan
Eligible retirees complete the group plan application and confirm the group enrollment deadline and coverage start date.
Confirm Medicare enrollment
The retiree separately confirms Medicare Parts A and B enrollment if required and checks the effective dates on their Medicare card.
Applying for Medicare
How to get your Medicare coverage and card
Medicare enrollment is handled separately from enrollment in an employer’s group plan.
Some people are automatically enrolled in Medicare and receive their Medicare card in the mail. If you need to apply, you can sign up through Social Security at ssa.gov or call 1-800-772-1213.
Your Medicare card shows whether you have Part A, Part B, or both, along with the dates your coverage begins. If you or your spouse worked for the railroad, contact the Railroad Retirement Board about Medicare enrollment.
Questions from employers
Group Medicare FAQs
Who is this page for?
This page is for business owners and organizations exploring a group Medicare offering for eligible retirees. It is not a review of an existing group plan for an individual member.
Can the Assurance Network review my existing group plan?
No. The Assurance Network cannot access or review the details of an existing group plan. Please contact your employer or organization’s benefits administrator or the broker who manages that plan.
Will eligible retirees in the group enroll in the same plan?
The employer selects one plan for the group. Eligible retirees who meet the group’s rules enroll in that plan through its enrollment process.
Can the Assurance Network help us start a group offering?
Yes. The Assurance Network works with the business to establish the group Medicare offering and, once the group is set up, helps eligible retirees enroll in that group plan. Availability depends on carrier offerings and group eligibility.
Does setting up group Medicare enroll retirees in Medicare Parts A and B?
No. The group plan’s setup and each retiree’s enrollment in Medicare are separate. Some people are automatically enrolled. Anyone who is not automatically enrolled must contact Social Security to apply for Medicare and receive a Medicare card. People with railroad work history should contact the Railroad Retirement Board.
What information should we have for the first conversation?
Be ready to describe your organization, the general number of retirees you hope to cover, and where they live. Do not send Medicare numbers or medical information through a general inquiry form.
Are you exploring group Medicare for your retirees?
Business owners and organizations can contact the Assurance Network to establish a group Medicare offering and enroll eligible retirees in the employer-selected plan.
Guidance without pressure.
The Assurance Network is not affiliated with or endorsed by the federal government, Medicare, or the Social Security Administration. We provide general Medicare education and work with business owners and organizations exploring group Medicare options. Group plan availability, eligibility, and enrollment are subject to carrier and sponsor rules. Individuals enroll in Medicare Parts A and B through Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board, as applicable.