A: Most companies are well aware of the high price tags associated with providing health insurance for their employees. Medicare could be a fantastic alternative and money-saver for your employer since its premiums are typically less than premiums for employer health coverage.
Naturally, it would make sense for your employer to pay for your Part B premium, right? Well, as much as that seems like a sensible option, it’s not allowed. As a Medicare beneficiary, YOU are responsible for paying your premiums.

Although, employers do have the ability to reimburse any Medicare Part B and Part D premiums for employees who are actively working if their company’s payment plan ties in with the group insurance plan.

A: Medicare Supplement coverage cannot be paid for by your employer directly. However, you can receive a refund for your monthly premiums by your employer. As stated above, your employer must have a Section 105 plan in place for employee insurance.

Part B will cover 80% of your health care expenses, but that still means that you’ll be responsible for the remaining 20%. However, if you arm yourself with enough supplemental insurance coverage, you’ll be more likely to alleviate some of those medical expenses. Health insurance through your employer could be an excellent option to help relieve these excess costs!

Your employer cannot write out a check for your Medigap coverage itself, but they CAN refund you for your monthly Medigap premiums, just so long as they arrange a Section 105 plan for their employee group. Section 105 plans are in place to compensate employees for purchasing their health insurance plans, including Medigap and Medicare coverages.

There may be instances in which perhaps you can’t receive a refund for your Medigap premium. This doesn’t necessarily indicate that you should default to your employer’s health coverage for secondary insurance. Many times, Medicare Supplement plans prove to be less costly with a wide variety of coverages than that of an employer’s health plan.

Is employer reimbursement of Medicare premiums taxable income? Some Section 105 plans may permit only the refunds on healthcare expenses and premiums and the compensations aren’t taxable. If the Section 105 plan reimburses with cash for any remaining benefits, then both the money and reimbursements are taxable.

A: A Health Reimbursement Arrangement is a federally managed employer health plan. HRA plans permit enrollees to get reimbursement for their out-of-pocket health care costs. Employers completely fund HRAs and are typically tax-exempt from Social Security, state, and federal taxes. HRAs can cover just insurance premiums, or they can also cover expenses and your premiums.

A: Employers can’t pay for your premiums directly, but you may receive a refund for the premium payments you’ve paid. Your employer must also have a Section 105 Plan that they can set aside funds to help pay for employee’s insurance premiums.

A: Yes, as state previously your employer can refund you for your Part B premium if you’re employer has set up a Section 105 Medical Reimbursement Plan.

A: Employers cannot force you to enroll in Medicare coverage if you choose not to do so. Employers cannot offer fewer health benefits to anyone who qualifies for Medicare. Legally, your employer cannot provide incentives or money to you if you choose Medicare over their employee insurance plan.