Retiree Health Coverage

Having adequate health care coverage is an important consideration when you retire.

The university offers retiree medical and dental coverage for eligible retirees and their eligible dependents—the same coverage available to active employees and their families. The amount that JHU pays (the subsidy) is determined based on your age and years of service.

See the current cost of coverage for retiree medical and dental insurance, listed by employment type:

You and your spouse or domestic partner must enroll in Medicare Parts A and B upon turning 65, and once that occurs, Medicare will become the primary insurer and the JHU retiree plan will become secondary.

If you waive coverage in the university medical plan at retirement, you will have one opportunity to enroll in the university’s available plan options within 30 days of losing your alternate medical coverage. If you die, your covered spouse or domestic partner is eligible to remain on the group plan for his/her lifetime, and covered dependent children can remain on the group plan until they no longer meet the plan eligibility requirements. If you wish to discontinue retiree medical or dental coverage, you must notify the JHU Benefits Service Center in writing within 30 days of the date you want your coverage to end.

As an alternative to the JHU retiree medical plans for those 65 or older, you may want to consider Mercer Marketplace 365+ which provides access to the Mercer Retiree Exchange Platform and to one-on-one help from a licensed retiree benefits counselor. Choose from Medicare Supplement Plans, Medicare Advantage Plans, prescription drug plans, dental and vision.

Reach a benefits counselor toll-free at 1 855 206 8117 or visit https://hr.jhu.edu/redirect/retiree-exchange.html to learn about Medicare and the different types of plans available.