Medicare Eligible Students and Student Health Insurance
Medicare Eligible Students and Student Health Insurance
The following is a notice directly from Aetna Student Health, dated September 8, 2023.
Federal law defines student health insurance coverage as “individual health insurance coverage”. Federal Medicare law (social security act) prohibits insurers from knowingly selling or issuing an individual policy to a individuals enrolled in Medicare (see A.13 in the below link to CMS guidance). Students should understand any potential impacts in choosing not to enroll in Medicare. (See A.16, C.2., C.4., C.5., and C.6.).
Each state has resources (State Health Insurance Assistance Programs) to assist individuals in understanding their Medicare coverage options. See the attached resource for the Commonwealth of Virginia: https://www.shiphelp.org/about-medicare/regional-ship-location/virginia.
George Mason University’s student health insurance plan has certain coverage exclusions pertaining to Medicare. Please refer to the following plan documents that outline the below eligibility: https://www.aetnastudenthealth.com/en/school/724536/members.html.
Plan Design and Benefits Summary – Medicare Eligibility Notice
You are not eligible to enroll in the student health plan if you have Medicare at the time of enrollment in this student plan. The plan does not provide coverage for people who have Medicare.
Master Policy – Medicare Eligibility
You are not eligible for health coverage under this student policy if you have Medicare at the time of enrollment in this student plan. If you obtain Medicare after you enrolled in this student plan, your health coverage under this plan will not end.
As used here, “have Medicare” means that you are entitled to benefits under Part A (receiving free Part A) or enrolled in Part B or Premium Part A.
Coverage Exclusions:
What your plan doesn’t cover – General exclusions
Medicare
- Services and supplies available under Medicare, if you are entitled to premium-free Medicare Part A or enrolled in Medicare Part B, or if you are not entitled to premium free Medicare Part A or enrolled in Medicare Part B because you refused it, terminated it, or did not make a proper request for it.