El Paso County Retiree Benefits Qualifying Life Event

Documents and Forms can be found at the bottom of this page.
What if I experience a Qualifying Life Event?
If you have a qualifying life event as defined by the IRS (i.e., marriage, divorce, loss of group coverage, etc.) you can make changes to your benefits by submitting a Retiree Benefit Election Form to the El Paso County Employee Benefits Division within 31 days of the life event effective date. Documentation is required for the life event and, if adding a dependent, proof of relationship. If there is no qualifying life event, changes can only be made at annual open enrollment.

If you become Medicare eligible due to disability and are enrolled on the El Paso County Medical Plan, you must notify the Employee Benefits Division of your Medicare-eligibility and submit a Retiree Benefit Election Form within 31 days of the effective date of Medicare coverage. See below “I am (or my dependent spouse is) turning 65 this year. What do I need to do?” for more information about Medicare eligibility.

I am/my spouse is turning 65 this year. What do I need to do?
The Pre-Medicare Eligible Medical and Prescription Plans will terminate effective the date the retiree or spouse is Medicare eligible.

If you wish to waive Medical Plan coverage due to Medicare eligibility:
You must complete a Retiree Benefit Election Form and provide proof of Medicare coverage and submit to the Employee Benefits Division by the end of the month prior to you turning 65.

If you wish to continue your Medical Plan coverage with El Paso County:
You will have the opportunity to enroll in the County’s Medicare-eligible plan, the Humana Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD) Plan administered by Retiree First. You must enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B in order to enroll in the Humana MAPD Plan. You must (1) complete an El Paso County Retiree Benefit Election Form and elect the Medicare Eligible Retiree First/Humana MAPD Plan, (2) complete a Medicare Eligible Enrollment Form, and (3) provide proof of Medicare Part A and Part B coverage. The forms must be submitted to the Employee Benefits Division no later than the end of the month prior to you turning 65. Failure to enroll timely may result in disqualification for eligibility to enroll in the County’s Medicare-eligible plan.

Medicare eligibility does not allow for changes to dental or vision coverage – these benefit changes can be made during open enrollment.

More information on page 9 of the Retiree Benefits Brochure.

RETIREE BENEFITS DOCUMENTS & FORMS

Use the following documents for benefits information and to submit a qualifying life event.
Retiree Benefits Brochure

Retiree Benefits Brochure

Brief summary of retiree health plan benefits.
Retiree Benefit Election Form*

Retiree Benefit Election Form

Complete this form for qualifying life events or Medicare-eligibility. Submit the completed form to the Employee Benefits Division.
If newly Medicare-eligible, also complete and submit the Medicare Eligible Enrollment Form.
Medicare Eligible Enrollment Form*

Retiree First Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug Plan Individual Enrollment Form

Complete this form if you are becoming Medicare-eligible. Submit the completed form to the Employee Benefits Division.
Medicare Eligible Age-In FAQ

Medicare Eligible Medical Plan Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Find out more about the Medicare-eligible medical plan.

*If you are becoming Medicare-eligible (turning 65 or due to a disability), complete both the Retiree Benefit Election Form and the Medicare Eligible Enrollment Form

Phone: (719) 520-7486 | E-mail: employeebenefits@elpasoco.com