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Medicare Enrollment and Your UC Sponsored Medical Plan Coverage. UCSF HR/Benefits Health Care Facilitator Program 2007. Today’s Presentation. This presentation will provide information for individuals who: Are currently, or will be, Medicare eligible
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Medicare Enrollment and Your UC Sponsored Medical Plan Coverage UCSF HR/Benefits Health Care Facilitator Program 2007
Today’s Presentation • This presentation will provide information for individuals who: • Are currently, or will be, Medicare eligible • Have already retired from the University or will be retiring soon • Are or will be eligible for UC sponsored retiree medical insurance
Agenda • Will help you understand Medicare • Will review UC policies regarding Medicare enrollment • Will explain how Medicare coordinates with UC sponsored insurance to cover your medical expenses in retirement • Will highlight the steps to take to ensure enrollment is on track…and much more
Clarification Before We Start…. • If you are currently working at UCSF (never retired) and covered by a UC medical plan and you (or your dependent*) are age 65 or older……… • You/your dependent may delay enrollment in Medicare until you retire, without penalty from Medicare and without penalty from the University • We will discuss this issue in more detail in a few minutes * Adult Dependent Relatives that become eligible for Medicare Part A may not continue their UC sponsored medical coverage.
QUIZ/FUN FACTS • In what year was Medicare established? • Who was the first individual to enroll in Medicare? • Which UC chancellor was instrumental in the establishment of Medicare? • What was the cost of the first Part B premium? • When were the first discussions held regarding adding prescription drug coverage to Medicare?
What is Medicare? • Medicare is a Federal Medical Insurance Program for: • People 65 years of age and older regardless of their income or medical history • In 1972 Medicare was expanded to include the following groups: • People with Some people with disabilities under age 65 • End-Stage Renal Disease (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or transplant) • In 2000, individuals with Lou Gehrig’s Disease (amyotrophic lateral sclerosis) could enroll at time of diagnosis (rather than having to satisfy the 24-month waiting period
Medicare Coverage • Part A • Hospital Coverage • Part B • Medical Coverage • Part C • Medicare Advantage Program • Part D • Out-Patient Prescription Drug Coverage – began in 2006
Part A – Hospital Insurance ·Hospital Stays ·Skilled Nursing Facility ·Hospice ·Home Health Care • SomeOther Services Cost in 2007: FREE, if you’ve paid Medicare taxes for a total of 10 years or more. (Individuals may also qualify based on the work history of a spouse or a former spouse.
Part B - Medical Insurance ·Physician Services ·Outpatient Hospital Care ·Lab Tests ·Durable Medical Equipment (DME) ·Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy · Some Other Services Cost in 2007: Income based – see handout All U.S. citizens and lawfully admitted non-citizens with at least five years of residency, age 65 or older, are eligible to enroll in Part B.
Part C – Medicare Advantage Program • Beneficiaries may enroll in a private managed care plan (HMO, PPO or PFFS) • These plans offer combined coverage of Part A, Part B and in most cases Part D
Part D – Prescription Drug Insurance • Coverage for Out-Patient Prescription Medication • Coverage Varies by Plan - monthly premiums in 2006 averaged $25 across plans For UC retirees enrolled in a UC sponsored medical plan that includes Part D coverage, there is no additional cost for the coverage. All Medicare members eligible for Medicare A and/or B are eligible for Medicare Part D. UC plans are all considered ‘Creditable Coverage’
Gaps in Medicare Coverage • If you had only Medicare insurance you would experience large gaps in coverage requiring significant out-of-pocket expenses • Your UC medical plan coverage coordinates with Medicare to reduce these gaps and decrease your out-of-pocket expenses
Gaps in Medicare Coverage · Part A Gaps • $992 deductible per hospital admittance/benefit period • Large co-pay for extended hospital inpatient stays (days 61 to 90 = $248 per day and ) · Part B Gaps • $131.00 deductible per year • Part B pays at 80%, which means you pay 20% co-insurance for most Part B covered services
Gaps in Medicare Coverage • Services Not Covered by Medicare • Care Outside U.S. • Hearing Aids • Eye care • See www.medicare.gov for entire listing of exclusions
UC’s Medicare Enrollment Requirements for Retirees • UC requires that you/your dependents enroll in Medicare Part B when you/your dependents become eligible for premium free, Medicare Part A ** • You/your dependents are transferred into the ‘Medicare-coordinated’ version of the plan • You/your dependents do not need to enroll in a non-UC sponsored Medicare Part D plan • In most cases your plan will enroll you in Medicare Part D*** ** Adult Dependent Relatives that become eligible for Medicare Part A may not continue their UC sponsored medical coverage. *** Kaiser Mid-Atlantic and New Mexico United Health Care plans do not coordinate with Medicare Part D, so no enrollment is initiated or required.
UC’s Medicare Enrollment Requirements for Retirees • If you are enrolled in an Health Maintenance Organization plan (HMO) -- Health Net, Kaiser, PacifiCare, or WHA -- Medicare Parts A, B and D must be ‘assigned/locked’ into the plan • You cannot use Medicare outside the plan
UC’s Medicare Enrollment Requirements for Retirees • Retirees and their dependents risk de-enrollment from UC sponsored medical coverage if they…. • Do not enroll in Medicare Part B when eligible for premium free Medicare Part A • Enroll in a non-UC sponsored Medicare Part D plan • Are HMO members that do not assign/lock Medicare to the plan and/or use Medicare outside of the plan
Exceptions to UC Medicare Mandate • Retirees that didn’t pay Medicare taxes are usually not eligible for premium free Medicare Part A • UC does not require retirees not eligible for premium free Medicare Part A, to enroll in Part B. • These retirees may continue with their current non-Medicare medical plan. • Please note however, that a retiree may qualify for premium free Medicare Part A through a spouse or former spouse. Contact Social Security, 1-800-772-1213 • If you are eligible for premium free Medicare Part A, UC Part B and Part D enrollment policies apply.
Exceptions to UC Medicare Mandate • UC does not require you to enroll in Medicare Part B if: • You reside outside the United States • you must enroll in Medicare if you return • You may incur a penalty from Medicare when you re-enroll • You are still working at UCSF and have health coverage as an employee (never retired from UC) • You have UC sponsored health coverage through your spouse or domestic partner who is still working at UC
Why UC MandatesMedicare Enrollment • Retirees over age 65 without Medicare cost at least twice as much to insure as those with Medicare • Enrollment in Medicare partially reduces the cost of the plan, which keeps the UC premiums affordable for all • Allows UC to continue to fund health benefits for retirees • Many employers are dropping or reducing retiree health coverage
Medicare Enrollment Chart • If you don’t know if you are eligible for Medicare, contact Social Security • 1-800-772-1213 • Remember if you don’t qualify on your own, you may qualify through a current or former spouse • If you don’t qualify now but continue to work you may qualify in the future
Medicare Enrollment Next Steps… • Lets Review the Medicare Enrollment Chart (handout) • Determine which status best fits your personal circumstances • Review the UC requirements • Follow the action steps to ensure compliance with UC policy
Tips for Enrolling in Medicare • If you will be, or are retired, when you reach age 65, apply for Medicare three months before your reach age 65. • If you are receiving SS benefits at the time, you will automatically be enrolled in both Part A and Part B and a Medicare card will be sent to you about 3 months before your birthday. • If you are not receiving SS benefits you will need to initiate enrollment into Medicare yourself.
Tips For Enrolling in Medicare • Approximately 3 months prior to your 65th birthday UC will send you the following documents (if you are retired): • UC Medicare Declaration Form • Universal Medicare Advantage Form • UCOP will transfer your medical plan enrollment to the Medicare version of the plan once they receive your documents and adjust your plan premiums as indicated • Your family members enrolled as dependents who are not eligible for Medicare will remain in the basic non-Medicare version of the plan
“Period of Darkness” • There is usually a three week period of transition from a non-Medicare plan to the Medicare version of the plan • During this time period it can appear that your coverage has been terminated. It hasn’t! • If you experience problems obtaining medical care or accessing your pharmacy benefits during this time, call your Health Care Facilitator
Lets take a look at UC Sponsored Health Plans and how they Coordinate with Medicare Information based on coverage for plan year, 2007
Medicare vs. Non-Medicare Plans • All the UC medical plans have a separate “Medicare -coordinated” version • When you become eligible for Medicare you will coordinate your current medical plan with Medicare. You may change your plan during OE, during a new PIE or if the Medicare version of your current plan is not available in your service area • The Medicare-coordinated version of a plan may differ in: • Plan benefits • Costs • Service area • Network providers • Enrollment/de-enrollment process
Medicare Coordination withHMO plans (Medicare Advantage Plans) Information based on coverage for plan year, 2007
Medicare Coordination withHMO plans (Advantage Plans), 2007 • Kaiser Senior Advantage • Health Net Seniority Plus • PacifiCare Secure Horizons • Western Health Advantage Care + • Available in the Sacramento service area only
Medicare Coordination withHMO plans (Advantage Plans) You must live in the plan’s CA service area You assign your Medicare benefits to the HMO* You must complete forms with UC and your plan Medicare pays a flat fee to the HMO each month - the HMO agrees to accept full responsibility for your care You pay a low monthly premium *You cannot use Medicare outside the plan
Medicare Coordination withHMO plans (Advantage Plans), 2007 You select a primary care provider (PCP) to coordinate your care though your medical group PCP must be within 30 miles of your home address Preauthorization required for many services Referrals are limited to providers within the medical group You pay a small co-pay when you receive services $15 physician services $250 hospital inpatient $10, $20, $35, Prescription drug filled at network retail pharmacy No need to submit claim forms
Medicare Coordination withBlue Cross Plans Information based on coverage for plan year, 2007
Medicare Coordination withBlue Cross Plans, 2006 • High Option Supplement to Medicare • Blue Cross PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) • Blue Cross Plus POS (Point of Service Plan) • Includes in-network (HMO), and out-of-network coverage • Must live in the CA service area • Blue Cross Core
Medicare Coordination withBlue Cross Plans, 2006 • You may see any Medicare provider* • Find doctors using the Participating Physician Directory online at: http://www.medicare.gov • Medicare pays as primary • Each plan has an annual deductible* - Once the deductible is met, Blue Cross coordinates their payment after Medicare pays, to cover a percentage of your expenses *Exceptions – Blue Cross Plus in-network
Medicare Coordination withBlue Cross Plans – Medicare Terms • Provider Accepts Assignment • Provider will accept Medicare contracted rates for services • Provider Does not Accept Assignment • Provider can charge up to 15% above Medicare contracted rates • Provider Opts Out of Medicare or Does Not Have a Medicare Contract • Claims from a provider that has opted out of Medicare or from a provider without a Medicare certificate number will not be paid by Medicare and will not be paid by your UC sponsored health plan
Medicare Coordination Supplement • The next 4 slides provide examples of how Blue Cross coordinates its payment after Medicare pays for covered services • Review the Medical Benefits Summary: 2007 (for members with Medicare) for additional examples
Medicare Coordination High Option Supplement to Medicare • Medicare pays as primary • Generally, the plan pays the difference between the amount Medicare pays and the medical plan’s reasonable and customary charge for services • Medicare pays 80% of allowable; plan pays the balance; retiree pays nothing • The plan covers Medicare deductibles • $50 annual deductible applies for some services not covered by Medicare
Medicare CoordinationBlue Cross PPO • Medicare pays as primary • After a $100 individual deductible, Medicare pays 80% of Medicare allowable; plan pays 80% of the balance; you pay the remaining balance
In-Network You select a PCP All care is coordinated through PCP You pay co-pay of $20 for most services, $250 for hospital in-patient Medicare and the plan coordinate benefits behind the scenes Seamless to member Out-of-Network Medicare pays as primary After a $500 individual deductible the plan compares its benefit (70% of UCR) to what Medicare has already paid and pays the difference if any Medicare CoordinationBlue Cross Plus
Medicare Coordination Blue Cross Core • Medicare pays as primary • After a $100 deductible the plan will compare its benefit (80% of URC) to what Medicare has already paid and pay the difference if any
Things to Consider in a Health Plan • Your total annual health plan costs: • Services that are and are not covered • Medicare and UC Health Plan Premiums • Deductibles and Co-insurance • Include both medical, prescription drugs and behavioral health • Factor in your Out-of-Pocket Maximum (OOPM) protection • If your co-pays, co-insurance and deductibles paid equal your OOPM, additional care in the plan year for covered expenses is paid at 100% - review the plan for excluded items
Things to ConsiderOut-of-Pocket Maximums, 2007 Per Individual Annually Review EOC for Limitations
Things to ConsiderOut-of-Pocket Maximums, 2007 Per Individual Annually Review EOC for Limitations
Things to Consider - HMO PlanPrescription Drug Co-Pays, 2007
Things to Consider - Blue Cross Prescription Drug Co-Pays, 2006
How much will my medical plan cost? • If you began work at UC prior to 1/1/90 and did not have a break in covered service for more than 120 days, you will receive 100% of UC’s maximum contribution toward the medical monthly premium. You will still pay the employee/retiree portion of the cost • If you began work on or after 1/1/90 you will be subject to graduated eligibility. You will receive a percentage of UC’s maximum contribution. Your percentage corresponds to your years of UC service credit. In addition, you will still pay the employee/retiree portion of the cost
Part B Reimbursement • Reimbursement for Part B may apply if UC’s contribution for a plan is greater than the gross premium • Maximum reimbursement currently is $93.50 per person
Additional ConsiderationsChanging Plans….. • Open Enrollment (OE) • When you retire you will continue to have the option to change plans during November Open Enrollment, the change will be effective the first of the following January • Move Out of the Service Area • If you move out of your plan’s service area you will have a ‘Period of Initial’ eligibility to switch plans outside of Open Enrollment • Process: Call UCOP customer service, alert them of your new address. The rep will mail you a form so you can select a new plan. If the form is returned to UCOP by the 15th of the month, typically the change is effective the first of the following month • UCOP Customer Service 1-800-888-8267