If an inactive Medicare eligible employee (and/or their dependent) enrolls in other parts of Medicare it may negatively impact an enrollee’s NYSHIP retirement coverage.

When enrollees are no longer active employees and become eligible for Medicare, the combination of their health insurance benefits under Medicare and NYSHIP provides them with comprehensive coverage. Medicare has several parts, including Parts A, B, C, and D. NYSHIP requires enrollment in Medicare Parts A and B ONLY. Medicare allows enrollment in only one Medicare product at a time. Therefore, enrolling in a Part D plan or a Medicare Advantage Plan (MAP) in addition to NYSHIP will result in the cancellation of an NYSHIP enrollee’s coverage. This includes Medicare products that the enrollee or covered dependents may be enrolled in through another employer.