Pre-Medicare retirees will receive HRA deposits from OPERS once they’ve opted in to the HRA through Via Benefits this fall. Having health care coverage through another Ohio Retirement System will be no different than enrolling in health care coverage through the OPERS Pre-Medicare Connector, healthcare.gov, or a private insurance company.
Full Answer
Can pre-Medicare retirees receive HRA deposits from OPERS?
Pre-Medicare retirees will receive HRA deposits from OPERS once they’ve opted in to the HRA through Via Benefits this fall. Having health care coverage through another Ohio Retirement System will be no different than enrolling in health care coverage through the OPERS Pre-Medicare Connector, healthcare.gov, or a private insurance company.
How do I find out more about Medicare Advantage plans?
To learn more about Medicare Advantage plans, contact Medicare at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or at www.medicare.gov (external link). Please consult your health plan for specific options available to you when you have a Medicare Advantage plan.
What is an OPERS Health Reimbursement Arrangement?
By switching from a group medical plan to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), OPERS will be able to continue offering current and future retirees assistance with the cost of health care coverage. Q: What sort of plan will be available to Pre-Medicare retirees beginning next year?
Will OPERS be able to contribute money to the health care fund?
Projections indicate we will not be able to contribute money to our Health Care Fund for more than a decade. By switching from a group medical plan to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), OPERS will be able to continue offering current and future retirees assistance with the cost of health care coverage.
Does OPERS pay for Medicare?
OPERS provides a monthly reimbursement for your Medicare Part A premium cost and also provides a 50 percent Medicare Part A premium reimbursement to eligible spouses.
What are the 2 Medicare choices called?
Part A (Hospital Insurance): Helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care. Part B (Medical Insurance): Helps cover: Services from doctors and other health care providers.
What are the four different types of Medicare plans one can be enrolled in?
There are four parts of Medicare: Part A, Part B, Part C, and Part D.Part A provides inpatient/hospital coverage.Part B provides outpatient/medical coverage.Part C offers an alternate way to receive your Medicare benefits (see below for more information).Part D provides prescription drug coverage.
Do state of Ohio employees pay into Medicare?
RETIREMENT PROGRAMS (Ohio public employment is not subject to Social Security withholding except Medicare Part A tax.)
What is the most popular Medicare Advantage plan?
AARP/UnitedHealthcare is the most popular Medicare Advantage provider with many enrollees valuing its combination of good ratings, affordable premiums and add-on benefits. For many people, AARP/UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans fall into the sweet spot for having good benefits at an affordable price.
Why do I need Medicare Part C?
Medicare Part C provides more coverage for everyday healthcare including prescription drug coverage with some plans when combined with Part D. A Medicare Advantage prescription drug (MAPD) plan is when a Part C and Part D plan are combined. Medicare Part D only covers prescription drugs.
How do I know which Medicare plan is right for me?
To compare Medicare plans, use the Medicare Plan Finder at www.medicare.gov/find-a-plan, on the official U.S. government site for people with Medicare, which allows you to compare plans by cost, by quality and by other features that may be of importance to you.
What are the negatives of a Medicare Advantage plan?
Medicare Advantage can become expensive if you're sick, due to uncovered copays. Additionally, a plan may offer only a limited network of doctors, which can interfere with a patient's choice. It's not easy to change to another plan. If you decide to switch to a Medigap policy, there often are lifetime penalties.
What is plan G Medicare?
Plan G is a supplemental Medigap health insurance plan that is available to individuals who are disabled or over the age of 65 and currently enrolled in both Part A and Part B of Medicare. Plan G is one of the most comprehensive Medicare supplement plans that are available to purchase.
Does OPERS offer health insurance?
The OPERS health care program features a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) for eligible Pre-Medicare and Medicare benefit recipients as well as optional vision and dental plans. To help benefit recipients find a medical plan which fits their needs, we also offer the services of the OPERS Connector.
Can you collect Social Security and PERS at the same time?
Yes. There is nothing that precludes you from getting both a pension and Social Security benefits.
Can I get Medicare Part B for free?
While Medicare Part A – which covers hospital care – is free for most enrollees, Part B – which covers doctor visits, diagnostics, and preventive care – charges participants a premium. Those premiums are a burden for many seniors, but here's how you can pay less for them.
When can I get Medicare Part A?
Most Federal employees and annuitants are entitled to Medicare Part A at age 65 without cost. When you don't have to pay premiums for Medicare Part A, it makes good sense to obtain coverage. It can reduce your out-of-pocket expenses as well as costs to FEHB, which can help keep FEHB premiums down.
How many parts does Medicare have?
Medicare has four parts: Part A (Hospital Insurance). Most people do not have to pay for Part A. If you or your spouse worked for at least 10 years in Medicare-covered employment, you should be able to qualify for premium-free Part A insurance.
What happens when a FEHB plan is the primary payer?
When the FEHB plan is the primary payer, the FEHB plan will process the claim first. If you enroll in Medicare Part D and we are the secondary payer, we will review claims for your prescription drug costs that are not covered by Medicare Part D and consider them for payment under the FEHB plan.
What is Medicare Advantage?
Medicare Advantage is the term used to describe the various health plan choices available to Medicare beneficiaries. If you are eligible for Medicare, you may choose to enroll in and get your Medicare benefits from a Medicare managed care plan. These are health care choices (like HMOs) in some areas of the country.
How to contact SSA about FEHB?
For more information about this extra help, visit SSA online at www.ssa.gov (external link), or call them at 1-800-772-1213 (TTY 1-800-325-0778) . The FEHB health plan brochures explain how they coordinate benefits with Medicare, depending on the type of Medicare managed care plan you have.
How to apply for medicare before 65?
It's easy. Just call the Social Security Administration toll-fee number 1-800-772-1213 to set up an appointment to apply. If you do not apply for one or more Parts of Medicare, you can still be covered under the FEHB Program.
What is the original Medicare plan?
It is the way everyone used to get Medicare benefits and is the way most people get their Medicare Part A and Part B benefits now. You may go to any doctor, specialist, or hospital that accepts Medicare. The Original Medicare Plan pays its share and you pay your share.
Why is the OPERS group medical plan unsustainable?
A: The OPERS group medical plan has become unsustainable because of the high cost of coverage and the status of OPERS’ pension funding. All money that would be available to fund health care, which could come only from the contribution of employers, must go toward the pension fund. Projections indicate we will not be able to contribute money to our Health Care Fund for more than a decade. By switching from a group medical plan to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), OPERS will be able to continue offering current and future retirees assistance with the cost of health care coverage.
Is Via Benefits an insurance carrier?
Via Benefits isn’t an insurance carrier. It’s a company that provides: Education, support, and assistance to retirees and their dependents when selecting and enrolling in an individual or family medical plan. Financial consulting — Via Benefits will help Pre-Medicare retirees understand their funding options.
Can a retiree add their own funds to an HRA?
Only OPERS can contribute funds to the HRA. Retirees cannot add their own funds.
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Medicare Supplement Insurance is a form of private health insurance that helps cover certain Medicare out-of-pocket costs such as deductibles, copayments and coinsurance. Over 14 million Americans had a Medicare Supplement Insurance plan in 2018. 1
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