Doctor Smith retires at age 65 (spouse is under age 65) and is now on Medicare. Doctor Smith has two options with his WPS health plan. (1) He applies for a WPS Medicare Supplement policy through a Wisconsin Medical Society Insurance agent and his spouse completes an application through the same agent to remain on the existing WPS plan as a single policyholder. (2) The physician and spouse remain on the current plan; but the physician applies as a “carve-out” on the existing plan by providing a copy of the insured Medicare card (showing both Part A and Part B). This would allow the current WPS plan to become secondary for the physician and remain primary for the spouse.

There are some other details to be addressed if a retired, Medicare eligible physician and spouse decide to move to another state. If a physician applies for and is issued his initial Society-endorsed policy as a Wisconsin resident, then moves to another state, coverage will follow him. The same is true if the Medicare Supplement policy is purchased in Wisconsin. The major difference on the endorsed policy is the network will change to the WPS Beechstreet network.

Once a physician is a permanent resident of another state, the option to purchase a Medicare Supplement through WPS is not available; however, the physician can remain on the initial endorsed policy with his spouse as a “carve-out.” If the physician applies for a Medicare Supplement within the state he/she resides in, the spouse can remain on the plan, under state continuation for 18 months, or submit a new application to be rewritten to her own endorsed policy.

Once a physician moves out of state, changes can be made to his/her WPS plan. Any changes to the plan must be submitted in writing on a WPS form supplied by the physician’s Wisconsin Medical Society Insurance agent and possible rate acceptance to be signed/dated.

Please contact your Wisconsin Medical Society Insurance and Financial Services agent or call 866.442.3810 to learn more about this plan. You can also use this on-line contact form to address your questions or concerns.


Back to Medigram, June 5, 2008.