Medicare Employer Group Waiver Plan (EGWP)

What is a EGWP?

Group Medicare Advantage plans are insurance plans offered by employers or unions to their retirees. EGWPs are provided by private insurance companies who manage your company’s retiree Medicare benefits.

Under EGWPs, Medicare pays the insurance company a fixed amount to provide benefits. The employer also typically pays the insurance company an additional amount to offer extra benefits.

Benefits of an EGWP

Group Medicare Advantage plans may offer services to their members that go beyond traditional Medicare Advantage plans. Some examples include:

  • lower out-of-pocket costs
  • health education
  • extra benefits

Medicare grants special waivers to insurance companies and their Group Medicare Advantage plans. These waivers apply to enrollment periods, premiums, and service areas all of which benefit you as a retiree.

Most EGWPs, nearly 76 percent, are local preferred provider organizations (PPOs). A PPO is a type of insurance in which you pay the lowest fees if you use preferred providers or in-network doctors, hospitals, and other healthcare providers. You can still use out-of-network providers, but you will have to pay more.

What do Group Medicare Advantage plans cover?

EGWPs cover the same services as Medicare parts A, B, and D: hospitalization, doctor visits, prescription drugs, testing, and other healthcare. They may also offer other benefits, such as dental, eye exams, foot care, or wellness classes.

Sometimes, EGWPs also offer drug coverage for spouses or dependents who aren’t yet Medicare-eligible due to their age.

How much does Group Medicare Advantage cost?

The average premium for Group Medicare Advantage will depend on how much an employer subsidizes the Medicare costs. While the monthly premiums are low for Medicare, you will usually have an out-of-pocket limit for other costs as well.

Other out-of-pocket costs may include:

  • Copays. These are fees you pay for healthcare services at the time of care. You may have a copay every time you see a doctor on your plan. This fee may be higher for specialists.
  • Deductibles. This is the amount you pay before your plan starts to cover your healthcare costs. This fee usually applies to services other than doctor’s visits.
  • Coinsurance. Coinsurance is a percentage of the cost that you must pay for a medical service after your deductible has been met. Your EGWP will cover the rest of the cost for that service. For example, you may have to pay 20 percent for an X-ray, and your EGWP will pay the remaining 80 percent.

Your specific plan will determine if you must pay any of these fees and if so, how much.

How to shop for Group Medicare Advantage plans

If your company (or former company) offers you an EGWP, you may need to talk to the company’s insurance representative. Some things to consider about EGWPs include:

  • Your insurance coverage needs. Be sure to consider the medications you take and doctors you see. This will enable you to see if the plan covers your prescriptions and providers.
  • The geographic area the plan covers. Look for hospitals and healthcare practices included in the network. Look for an in- network hospital near you in case you require immediate care.
  • The plan’s star rating. The Medicare Advantage Star Ratings program rates Medicare Advantage plans on a scale of up to five stars. Medicare Advantage considers plans that earn four or five stars to be high-quality.
  • Other Medicare Advantage plan options. Compare the EGWP plan to other available Medicare Advantage plans in your area by visiting Medicare.gov/plan-compare. If you have a specific question, you can also call 800-MEDICARE.

Since insurance companies tailor EGWPs to each business, union, or government entity, you may be able to do most of your research through the insurance company that provides the plan and the benefits office at your company.

The takeaway

Group Medicare Advantage plans (also called EGWPs) can be an attractive benefit for you as an employee. Sometimes, joining your company’s EGWP means you can get extra benefits that traditional Medicare Advantage doesn’t offer, plus you don’t have to follow the same rules regarding enrollment periods.

Talk with your former employer to find out if they offer an EGWP. It could save you money in the long run, especially if your former employer pays for some of the plan costs.

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