Medicare and ICHRA (CHOICE): Who Does What?

“Who should handle each step in my Medicare and ICHRA (CHOICE) transition?

You have a team around you. The key is knowing which person owns which decision and when to involve them.

Quick answer

You complete the official Medicare actions and make the coverage decision. The benefitbay Medicare Team helps you understand timing, compare coverage, and connect your chosen plan to ICHRA (CHOICE). HR confirms employer eligibility and timing. Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board makes Parts A and B official. The approved benefitbay process handles premium payment setup.

You: make the official enrollment and coverage decisions

Your job is to bring the facts and complete the official steps. Gather your current coverage end date, employer notice, Social Security information, household coverage details, medications, providers, and preferred pharmacies. When it is time to apply, use the official Social Security or Railroad Retirement Board process. Review all information before you submit it.

You also need to make the core Medicare + ICHRA (CHOICE) transition: enroll in Parts A and B and move off the prior group or individual health plan as your own coverage.

benefitbay Medicare Team: turn the process into a clear plan

The benefitbay Medicare Team explains the Medicare path, helps identify timing questions, and keeps the transition moving. A benefitbay licensed Medicare Advisor can compare Medicare Advantage, Medigap, and Part D options using your doctors, prescriptions, preferred pharmacies, travel needs, and budget priorities. The team also confirms what needs to happen after your Parts A and B approval so your chosen coverage and ICHRA (CHOICE) payment setup are ready on time.

A benefitbay licensed Medicare Advisor does not submit a Parts A or B application for you, decide your Social Security eligibility, or make tax decisions for you.

HR: confirm the employer benefit

HR or your employer benefits team confirms the ICHRA (CHOICE) effective date, allowance, employee and dependent eligibility, employer transition dates, and available employer documents. HR also confirms what happens to the prior group plan and what household members need to consider if they are not entering Medicare.

Social Security or the Railroad Retirement Board: make Medicare active

For most people, Social Security processes Part A and Part B enrollment and sends the official approval and effective date. If you or your spouse worked for a railroad or receive railroad benefits, the Railroad Retirement Board may handle that step. These are the official sources for enrollment status and Medicare effective dates.

The approved benefitbay process: set up premium payment

After your coverage is selected, the approved benefitbay process connects your ICHRA (CHOICE) contribution to eligible Medicare plan premiums. The benefitbay Medicare Team confirms the setup in your enrollment conversation and tells you what notices or information must be provided.

Use this handoff map