HR sending info on Medicare webinar a form of pushing older workers out

Anonymous

April 24,2023 at 10:35PM UTC

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HR sending info on Medicare webinar a form of pushing older workers out

I am 63 years old and received an invite sent by the HR Manager for a Medicare seminar. I was listed as required and the rest of the office was cc'd on my invite. I checked with my assistant and the required section was blank and the office was cc'd. That tells me that she put all older workers in the required box and the rest in cc, but each older worker received it as they were only required.

My concern is that everyone knows their age and why didn't she send the information to the entire office and each person decide whether they want to attend. This seems to be a very segregated approach to push people of a certain age out. Also, I find it to be a bit biased toward the older worker and did not sit well with me.

What are your thoughts? I ended up declining the invite as I am not looking to get on medicare anytime soon as long as I am working.

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AnonymousApril 24,2023 at 11:18PM UTC
My thoughts: you did the right thing!
I'm glad you declined. I hope everyone does.. I'm almost 50 and have no plans to retire at the "suggested" age either.
What is wrong with these HR people???? OMG.... so wrong (and illegal)
AnonymousApril 25,2023 at 7:59PM UTC
I don't agree with they went about this, at all. However, I do think it's important to know your options before you're left scrambling to figure it out at some point down the road.
AnonymousApril 26,2023 at 8:01PM UTC
I would go to the session. Some group policies will not insure workers 65 and older because they are eligible for Medicare. This happened where I worked when I turned 65. Trust me, the cost of the Medicare Part B premium, the Medigap insurance, and the Part D drug coverage (combined) was significantly lower than my portion of the group health insurance the company offered. On top of that, the company no longer has to pay their portion of your group coverage, saving them money, plus you no longer have your insurance deduction from your paycheck. My employer used their savings and gave me a significant raise (at no cost), which makes it worth looking into and gives you some bargaining power at raise time. A good Medigap will save you significantly on the doctor's co-pays and usually pay the Part B deductible. Compare the cost with what you are paying for your group insurance. My Medigap pays my deductible (Part B) and the Medicare co-pay for all Medicare-covered services.
The downside is if you are also insuring your spouse or family, you may not have that option if you opt out of your company's group insurance. Don't get me wrong, navigating the split of one insurance into three can be complicated (at least at first), and my advice is to go through the exercise of comparing Part D plans every year (my husband learned that the hard way). Medicare also does not have vision or dental, so you may want to keep those plans (if allowed).
Dcre1977April 29,2023 at 12:37PM UTC
There are rules that must be followed for medicare, even if you will be delayed in applying for because your current company will continue providing benefits. The company is right to require you to attend. I do not see why you think its pushing you out.
Celena BartonApril 29,2023 at 12:57PM UTC
It all should have been BCC. But I assume that sent it to other workers as optional as many are caretakers of those who qualify for Medicare. I don’t think it was meant to single anyone out.
AnonymousApril 29,2023 at 1:12PM UTC
As an HR generalist who knows a lot abt benefit requirements I agree with the poster abt regulations. When you turn 65 regardless of working status you MUST register for Medicare and the government requires that your employer tell you x days before your eligibility.
Yes it should have been a bcc but this is no different than 55+ catch up on 401(k) being told at 53. Just a reality.
surfnwriteApril 29,2023 at 1:45PM UTC
They probably should have BCC'd but I think you might be reading too much into this to think they are pushing older workers out. I am many years away from Medicare but trying to learn everything I can to be ready and avoid making mistakes in choices.
AnonymousApril 29,2023 at 2:52PM UTC
It’s no one else’s business what your age is and you and the others of age were singled out. They might as well have been painting a target on your back. It’s bad enough when we have younger workers baying for the boomer remover to take care of workers who “steal their jobs,” now there’s this. It’s also none of their business to direct your education on Medicare. It’s your own.
Michelle S.April 29,2023 at 2:53PM UTC
I think that was completely awful of the HR. After 15 years as a Director of HR, I never, ever would’ve kept on staff and pulled something like that. SMH! I’m sorry that happened to you and I don’t blame you for denying it. But just so you know, I was actually just invited to a Medicare seminar and I’m in my early 40s. But I was invited along with everyone else.
AnonymousApril 29,2023 at 5:17PM UTC
I would have a private conversation with your HR person about this. They are doing what is required to keep you informed about being eligible for this benefit at the age you are at. If your company uses a PEO (outside firm to do their benefits) this may be getting recommended to the HR person by them. Not to defend their actions but, rules specifically prohibit employers to provide any incentive that would encourage an employee to enroll in Medicare. In addition, neither an employer nor an insurance carrier can take into account an employee's Medicare status based on their age or disability. If you truly feel singled out or that there is the potential for a push out seek legal advice and file a formal complaint to the EEOC and FEHA.
misskelleypApril 30,2023 at 2:22AM UTC
For some self insured health insurance plans (the Company manages the health insurance directly) it may be required that if you are eligible for Medicare that you must have that be your primary coverage, and your work insurance is secondary. That said, at 63 medicare is still two years away for you. Yes, you do need to start educating yourself, but it's a bit soon to get too concerned. As an HR person I would never expose individuals' ages. I would talk to your HR person and ask what her goal was by sending that out that way. Good luck.
Valerie RiegerMay 1,2023 at 3:39PM UTC
There are probably some Medicare notifications that are required. I would have invited each person individually or at the very least BCC'd the invitees. CC'ing everyone was a significant misstep.
misskelleypMay 1,2023 at 6:39PM UTC
Maybe, but not at 63 - a lot can change in two years.... I agree that cc'ing everyone was very naughty. Poorly done.
Susan Grant-SuttieMay 3,2023 at 2:11PM UTC
Advise the inviter of the indiscretion. Tell you that you are looking out for all persons, not just yourself. As well, look into the policies for this issue in your HR manual.