Association of Ameritech/SBC Retirees
Association of Ameritech/SBC Retirees Blue Bulletin - Vol. 2, No. 14     Posted 10/28/07

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Association of Ameritech/SBC Retirees Blue Bulletin Vol. 2, No. 14. (October 26, 2007)   Proudly representing retirees of the AT&T Midwest Region, SBC Midwest Region, Ameritech, and predecessor/successor Bell Companies of the New AT&T, located throughout the United States   Medicare “B” – Costs and Reimbursements     There have been several e-mails, discussions and speculation among members and board members recently regarding Medicare Part B reimbursements. Here is what AASBCR’s Vice President – AT&T Relations received directly from AT&T Human Resources.   The original Medicare Plan consists of Part A, that pays for most hospital care and Part B that pays for most medical care. Part B is optional, but recommended. Other plans are available but we'll not address them here so we can focus on Part A and Part B.   Most people pay $0 each month for Part A, (hospital care) because they paid Medicare taxes while working. Part B (medical care) requires us to make a monthly payment (or “premium”) that in 2007 ranges from $93.50 to $161.40. Part B payments are based upon the amount of our Individual or Joint Income Tax Return and are deducted from our monthly Social Security checks. Here's the scale:   Individual Tax Return:        Joint Tax Return:     You pay:   $80,000 or less               $160,000 or less      $ 93.50 $80,001-$100,000              $160,001-$200,000`    $105.80 $100,001-$150,000             $200,001-$300,000     $124.40 $150,001-$200,000             $300,001-$400,000     $142.90 Above $200,000                Above $400,000        $161.40   Fortunately, many of us don't pay the full amount indicated above. In many cases our former employers are happy to have Social Security reduce their medical care costs so they contribute a “reimbursement” of all or a portion of our Medicare Part B premium.  The amount can vary depending on our retirement date and our medical plan. Our “government” does not send money to our former employers to do this.   Anyone 65 or older who has not signed up for the reimbursement should Visit http://resources.hewitt.com/att (AT&T Health Benefits Enrollment Center Web site) or call the AT&T Health Benefits Enrollment Center at 1-877-722-0020 (domestic) or +1-847-883-0863(international). The Center can tell you if you're eligible for a reimbursement, how much and also get you signed up. Hopefully this will clarify the issue.