You’re generally eligible for the HPE Retiree Medical Program if you’re retiring from HPE at age 55 or later with at least 10 years of qualifying service.
You may also qualify if you’re leaving HPE at any age with combined age-plus-service "points" equal to 80 or more (for example, age 52 with 28 years of service). To find out when you’re eligible for retiree medical and certain other benefits, go to .
Note: There are instances in which you may not qualify for the HPE Retiree Medical Program even if you meet the eligibility requirements. This includes if you left HPE as part of the Enterprise Services spin-off.
The HPE Retiree Medical Program provides medical coverage both prior to and following Medicare eligibility. Although you pay the full cost of whatever coverage you choose, you can benefit from group rates and added benefit features beyond those that might be available to purchase on your own. You also have the option to use your Retirement Medical Savings Account balance (including any HPE credits that might be available) to cover part or all of your premium costs.
For a summary of the types of medical plans that may be available based on your Medicare status, see Available retiree medical plans. If you and your covered spouse (if applicable) are both eligible for Medicare, you will also have access to individual insurance options outside of the HPE benefits program through Alight Retiree Health Solutions.
If you or any of your dependents are eligible for Medicare, Medicare becomes your primary coverage, and you must enroll in Medicare Parts A and B to avoid loss of HPE benefits and potential Medicare late enrollment penalties. HPE automatically provides company-sponsored Medicare Part D prescription drug coverage as part of the retiree medical plans that coordinate with Medicare or if you participate in an HPE Medicare HMO. As long as you are enrolled in an HPE retiree medical plan, you will automatically be enrolled in the HPE Prescription Drug Program with OptumRx or your HMO. Keep in mind that you can be covered by only one Medicare Part D plan at a time, so you will not need to separately enroll in Medicare Part D. See Important information about Medicare prescription drug coverage.
If you are entitled to Medicare before age 65 due to disability, you can get help with Medicare enrollment by contacting Allsup. HPE has partnered with Allsup to assist with Medicare enrollment issues for disabled retirees. You may find that Allsup can help complete your Medicare enrollment faster than you could on your own, helping to minimize any impact on your HPE benefits. For more information and assistance with enrolling in Medicare Part B, contact Allsup toll-free at 1-800-883-6650.
Eligibility for the HPE Retiree Medical Program is available starting after you complete the maximum period of coverage available through COBRA. COBRA is generally available for up to 18 months. Benefits automatically continue thereafter under the HPE Retiree Medical Program, unless you elect to discontinue coverage.
Eligibility for the HPE Retiree Medical Program can begin earlier if you decline COBRA coverage or discontinue COBRA coverage prior to the end of your maximum COBRA eligibility period. However, it’s generally a good idea to elect COBRA coverage as long as you remain eligible, since coverage costs under COBRA are the same or less than costs that apply under the HPE Retiree Medical Program.
If you or a covered family member becomes eligible for Medicare, coverage will automatically convert to one of the HPE Medicare Supplement plans, which will coordinate benefits with Medicare. (If you become eligible for Medicare during the first 18 months of retirement while participating through COBRA, you will need to call the HPE Benefits Center.) For Medicare enrollment information, check with your Social Security office 90 days before you reach age 65. If you’re eligible and decide to enroll in an HPE-sponsored Medicare HMO, you may need to complete additional Medicare-related forms (see If you’re enrolling in an HPE-sponsored Medicare HMO). If you're enrolling in an individual insurance option outside the HPE program through Alight Retiree Health Solutions, you will need to complete any additional enrollment forms required by the insurance carrier.
Keep in mind that if at any time you decline HPE retiree medical coverage, you can only enroll in the future if you do so within 60 days of losing group medical coverage through another employer or a public exchange. See If you decline HPE retiree medical coverage.
Once you’re participating in retiree coverage, you can make changes or add or drop eligible dependents during the annual enrollment period or within 60 days of a qualified status change.
You’ll pay the full monthly premium cost for your HPE retiree medical coverage. However, you can use your Retirement Medical Savings Account balance (including any HP/HPE credits that may be available) to cover part or all of your premium costs. Keep in mind that costs change from year to year.
For convenience, you have the option to pay for your coverage through direct debit from your savings or checking account. Enroll in direct debit after you've enrolled for coverage and paid your first monthly invoice by check or money order. To enroll, call the HPE Benefits Center or visit the HPE Benefits Center.
If you don’t elect the direct debit option, the HPE Benefits Center will continue to send you monthly invoices for your share of coverage costs. A bill will be mailed to your permanent home address. Premium payments generally must be posted to your account by the fifth of the month for which they apply. Keep in mind that the direct debit option isn’t recommended during the first 18 months while you’re participating in retiree medical coverage under COBRA.
Payment for benefits must be made in full on or before the due date on your monthly invoice. Failure to make payment by the due date will cause your coverage to be dropped for nonpayment (see If coverage is dropped for nonpayment).
If you enroll in individual insurance options through Alight Retiree Health Solutions for Medicare-eligible members, you'll pay premiums directly to the medical plan you elect, and depending on the insurance carrier you may be able to arrange for your premiums to be paid automatically from your bank account.
As part of Health Care Reform, public health exchanges are online marketplaces where people who are not yet eligible for Medicare can shop and buy medical coverage. They are designed for people who don't have medical coverage from an employer or Medicare. Premiums are based on the individual's age and the benefits offered. Depending on your family income, you may also qualify for government premium subsidies that can lower your cost of coverage.
As you think about your HPE retiree medical elections, you may want to understand and compare the options available to you through the exchanges. To learn more about federal subsidies and state and national exchanges, please visit .
HPE will continue providing comprehensive benefits that will satisfy or exceed all Health Care Reform requirements, but for some retirees who are not yet eligible for Medicare, you may find attractive insurance options through the public health exchanges (particularly if you are paying the full HPE premium cost of your medical coverage). If you do choose coverage through the healthcare exchanges or through a subsequent employer, you can still reserve your eligibility to re-enroll in HPE coverage if you lose your other coverage.