Retiree changes outlined in the 2020 Open Enrollment Guide
Retiree Benefits
Retirees will be offered the same plans as active employees.
All Caps remain as outlined in the letter of agreement in the CBA:
Non-Medicare eligible retirees the amount is $6,250 per retiree and $6,250 for spouse
Medicare eligible retirees will continue to receive $2, 570 per retiree and $2,570 for spouse which is funded through a HRA Health reimbursement account, also known as YSA Your spending account. Nothing is changing for Medicare eligible retirees.
2020 change: Waive vs Suspend for Retirees.
Waive- After this open enrollment waiving coverage will waive it for the ever.
Those who are in waived status now, or elect waive status in this open enrollment will be changed over to suspend in early 2020. The only option during open enrollment is waive due to the short time frame of negotiations and the changes.
Suspend- If you are enrolled in medical/dental coverage under the plan, you have a one-time opportunity to suspend coverage and re-enroll at a later date. This is very important because it not only affects pre-Medicare benefits, but the YSA/HRA given to Medicare participants.
- Examples:
- Retiree that is on active health care 2019 and 2020, and then suspends. This is considered the one-time suspension allowed.
- For LQ Union Retiree who has waived health care for 2019, moves into 2020 as Suspended. 2021 annual enrollment occurs and retirees wants to continue on suspend status. Remaining in suspend status is not considered the one-time suspension allowed. He/she could enroll at some time in the future and elect then elect to suspend (and then be considered the one-time suspension allowed).
- Retiree can suspend at retirement (or at end of company subsidized COBRA) and then re-enroll and suspend one more time.
Non-Payment, Untimely or Insufficient Payment- If a retiree is participating in medical or dental benefits payments must be made on time. If you miss a payment, make an untimely payment or have insufficient funds you will have a one-time lifetime appeal to get the coverage re-instated. You can deduct the payment from you pension check, have direct debit from checking or savings, or send a check or money order. Obviously the safest way to guarantee the payment is made is holding it from your pension check, or direct debit.
The next change we want you to be aware of are the options in plans, we will no longer have the PPO option. You will have the Savings HDHP, the Standard and Premium CDHP, and Bind. The savings HDHP premiums went up, the others went down. Your enrollment packet will have information on each of these plans. Bind is a new concept paying a premium, with no deductibles, paying as you go, you will have access to the Bind website as well to learn more about it.
Another change we want you to be aware of is in regards to the annual deductibles and out of pocket maximums, once you reach the annual deductible the plan starts paying 80% of services in network, up to the out of pocket maximum. You will now have separate deductibles and out of pocket maximums to meet one for “in Network” and one for “out of Network”, they are no longer combined.
You will want to make sure all services you get are in network, going out of network will cost you more. The plan will pay 50% of what they consider
reasonable and customary after the deductible is met if you go out of network.
Out of Network outpatient surgery is not covered by the plan, when planning for surgery you will want to make sure all parties involved are in network, the doctor, clinic, anesthesiologist etc.
In addition to what is in the packet there is additional information at centurylinkhealthandlife.com that web address will be in the packet. You can also call the service center 800 729 PLAN 1 800 729-7526. We also have our retired members chapters that can assist and our healthcare benefits coordinator Ryan Weeks. If you have something that cannot be answered by the service center we will be happy to assist.