Retiree Health Care Coverage
Your healthcare coverage in retirement depends on two key factors: your age and whether you’re eligible for Medicare. As you move into retirement, your coverage and how you enroll may change.
At a Glance: Health Care Coverage in Retirement
Use the summaries below to quickly see how coverage works for you and your spouse.
Retiree Coverage
| Retiree Age | Retiree Medicare Status | Retiree Medical / Pharmacy Plan | Retiree Dental Plan | Retiree Vision Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Under 65 | Non-Medicare-Eligible | BCBSTX Pre-65 Non-Medicare Plan | BlueCare Dental | EyeMed |
Under 65 | Medicare-Eligible | BCBSTX Medicare Plan BlueRx Pharmacy | BlueCare Dental | EyeMed |
65 or Over | Medical-Eligible | Via Benefits | Via Benefits | Via Benefits |
Spouse Coverage
| Spouse Age | Spouse Medicare Status | Spouse Medical / Pharmacy Plan | Spouse Dental Plan | Spouse Vision Plan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Under 65 | Non-Medicare-Eligible | BCBSTX Pre-65 Non-Medicare Plan | BlueCare Dental | EyeMed |
Under 65 | Medicare-Eligible | BCBSTX Medicare Plan BlueRx Pharmacy | BlueCare Dental | EyeMed |
65 or Over | Medical-Eligible | Via Benefits | Via Benefits | Via Benefits |
How Health Care Coverage Works in Retirement
- When you retire before age 65 and are not Medicare-eligible, you’ll remain in an Atmos Energy medical plan.
- If you are Medicare-eligible at any age, your coverage will coordinate with Medicare.
- Once you are age 65 or older and retire, you’ll enroll in coverage through Via Benefits.
If you cover a spouse or dependent, they may follow a different path based on their age and Medicare eligibility.
Pre-65 Non-Medicare-Eligible Health Care
You’re under age 65 and not yet eligible for Medicare. You will:
- Stay enrolled in an Atmos Energy medical plan with the same network and coverage structure
- Pay premiums through your pension (if applicable) or direct billing
Learn more about your coverage and options here.
Pre-65 Medicare-Eligible Health Care
You’re under age 65 but eligible for Medicare due to disability or other qualifying conditions. You will:
- Transition to a Medicare-based plan
- Coordinate your coverage with Medicare
Explore how Medicare works with your retiree coverage here.
Post-65 Medicare-Eligible Health Care
You’re age 65 or older and eligible for Medicare. You will:
- Enroll in coverage through Via Benefits
- Choose from Medicare Advantage or Medigap plan options
- Have access to an HRA to help reimburse eligible premiums
Understand your options and how to enroll here.
Covering Your Dependents
Your dependents may not have the same Medicare eligibility as you. This means:
- Coverage may be split between different plans
- Each person will receive separate ID cards and coverage
- Enrollment may happen through different systems (Atmos Energy vs. Via Benefits)
Understanding how your family’s coverage works together can help you avoid gaps and make more informed decisions.
About Medicare
You’re considered Medicare-eligible when you qualify for Medicare based on age or certain health conditions. You may be eligible if you:
- Are age 65 or older
- Are under age 65 with a qualifying disability
- Have been diagnosed with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) or ALS
Your Medicare eligibility, not just your age, determines how your retiree health care coverage works.
Medicare enrollment isn’t automatic for most people and timing matters. If you’re approaching age 65, it’s important to enroll in Medicare on time to avoid gaps in coverage or potential penalties. To ensure your coverage starts when you need it, it’s best to enroll before your 65th birthday month. However, your initial enrollment period is a seven-month window that:
- Starts three months before the month you turn 65
- Includes your birthday month
- Ends three months after
Enrolling in Medicare on time is important to avoid unnecessary issues. Delaying enrollment can lead to gaps in coverage, and in some cases, lifetime penalties for certain parts of Medicare. It’s also important to coordinate your Medicare enrollment with your retiree health coverage to ensure everything works together seamlessly.
