Why Medicare Parts A and B Come First

Why do I need Medicare Parts A and B before I can use ICHRA (CHOICE)?

Parts A and B are the gate. They make Medicare active, unlock your coverage choices, and allow ICHRA (CHOICE) to move with you.

Quick answer

For the benefitbay Medicare + ICHRA (CHOICE) path, Parts A and B are required. You cannot use ICHRA (CHOICE) for this Medicare transition while staying on your prior group or individual plan as your own coverage. Active Parts A and B let you choose a Medicare Advantage plan or Original Medicare with Medigap and Part D, then connect eligible premiums to ICHRA (CHOICE).

Why Part A alone is not enough

Part A covers hospital-related care. It does not provide the full Medicare foundation needed for this benefit transition. Part B covers doctors, outpatient care, preventive services, imaging, durable medical equipment, and other medical services. The Medicare + ICHRA (CHOICE) path requires both parts to be active.

This is why the benefitbay Medicare Team begins with the Parts A and B timeline—not with a Medicare Advantage plan name, a Medigap letter, or a drug plan. Those coverage choices come next.

Parts A and B unlock your two coverage routes

Once Parts A and B are approved, you can complete Medicare in one of two ways:

• Original Medicare + Medigap + Part D: Medicare pays first, Medigap helps with certain Original Medicare cost sharing, and a standalone Part D plan covers prescriptions.
• Medicare Advantage: A private plan delivers your Part A and Part B benefits and usually includes Part D drug coverage.

You cannot combine Medigap with Medicare Advantage. You need the active Part A and Part B foundation before choosing either path.

Parts A and B unlock the ICHRA (CHOICE) payment workflow

The employer contribution does not pay for your prior group or individual plan once you are in this Medicare transition. It is set up for your Medicare coverage. When Parts A and B are active and you select the coverage route, the benefitbay Medicare Team can connect ICHRA (CHOICE) to the applicable premiums before coverage begins.

If Parts A and B are delayed, the rest of the sequence is delayed too. You may not be able to enroll in Medicare Advantage, Medigap, or Part D on the timing you planned. You also risk a gap between the old plan and the new Medicare coverage.

Start the conversation before you apply

You do not need to wait for your Medicare card to contact the benefitbay Medicare Team. Start by confirming your effective date, current plan end date, and ICHRA (CHOICE) start date. Then use the official enrollment process to make Parts A and B active.