Medicare & Railroad Retirement Benefits

Have you been working on the railroad all the livelong day? Then you’re probably thinking about retirement. One of the benefits of having a railroad career is that they have a special program for medical insurance for seniors, called Railroad Retirement Benefits. In this article, we’re going to learn what that is and what that means for your healthcare coverage.

What is the Railroad Retirement Benefits program?

Railroad Retirement Benefits is a specialized senior coverage option for those with qualifying railroad careers. It stems from the Railroad Retirement Act, a federal law that provides eligible retired and disabled rail workers and their spouses with healthcare options and survivor benefits in the event of a death.

How do I qualify for Railroad Retirement Benefits?

Railroad Retirement Benefit eligibility is based on your railroad employment. You must work for at least 10 years in a covered service in the railroad industry and at least five of those years need to be after 1995. For those who have been employed for 30+ years, you will be able to start receiving them in place of Social Security at age 60. Those with less than 30 years of service will be able to access those benefits at age 62.

How do I enroll in Railroad Retirement Benefits?

Enrollment into the Railroad Retirement Benefits program is done by the Railroad Retirement Board (RRB). They cover all retirement and disability services for railroad employees. They will handle all enrollment, including Medicare enrollment. For more information, see the Railroad Retirement and Survivor Benefits Handbook.

If I have Railroad Retirement Benefits, will I also have Medicare?

The short answer is yes, you will have both. But it’s more complicated. Your Medicare coverage will be handled by the Railroad Retirement Board. They will cover your plan and oversee your enrollment. If you have questions about how your Medicare coverage will interact with your Railroad Retirement Benefits, reach out to your Railroad Retirement Board representative or your workplaces’ Human Resources team.

How do I get Medicare if I have Railroad Retirement Benefits?

If you receive Railroad Retirement benefits or disability annuity benefits from the railroad at the time of eligibility for Medicare, you are automatically enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B by the Railroad Retirement Board.

After the Railroad Retirement Board. automatically enrolls you, you will receive your Medicare card, along with a letter from the RRB explaining that you have been enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A and B. Your Medicare card will look like the standard card with one exception: you card will have a red banner at the bottom of the card that will have “Railroad Retirement Board” printed on it.

How do I pay for Medicare with Railroad Retirement Benefits?

Your Medicare payments will be handled by the Railroad Retirement Board. The RRB collects Original Medicare premiums if you receive Railroad Retirement Board benefits or annuity checks for railroad disability.

What is the biggest difference when using Medicare through Railroad Retirement Benefits?

The biggest difference you will need to be aware of is that billing will not be the same as other Medicare users Part B covered expenses. The Railroad Retirement Board uses its own billing contractor, and your doctor can’t bill Medicare directly. This means that you will need to make sure you tell your doctors that you have RRB Medicare benefits. Your Medicare card will say it on it, but you should always remind them. You don’t want to experience payment delays because they billed the wrong place.

Conclusion

Railroad Retirement Benefits offer great coverage to the railroad industry. This industry-specific program allows for specialized benefits without the cost of additional coverage. If you have any questions about your specific coverage, reach out to your workplace’s Human Resources department.

PlanEnroll is a brand operated by Integrity Marketing Group, LLC and used by its affiliated licensed insurance agencies that are certified to sell Medicare products. PlanEnroll is not endorsed by the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), The Railroad Retirement Board (RRB), or any other government agency. Any information we provide is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as individualized advice.