PEBTF Announces Health Plans for Commonwealth
The Pennsylvania Employees Benefit Trust Fund announced today that Aetna,Geisinger Health Plan and UPMC Health Plan have been selected to provide healthbenefits for retired
PEBTF Announces New Health Plans for Commonwealth Retirees
The Pennsylvania Employees Benefit Trust Fund announced today that Aetna, Geisinger Health Plan and UPMC Health Plan have been selected to provide health benefits for retired state employees, effective January 1, 2010. These changes are being implemented because the plan that currently covers a majority of the Medicare-eligible state retirees will be discontinued by its provider effective December 31, 2009.
“We worked hard to ensure that retirees retain comparable benefits to what they have now,” said Kathryn Farley, executive director of the Pennsylvania Employees Benefit Trust Fund which administers retiree health benefits on the commonwealth`s behalf. “Every retiree will have two plans to choose from, one that offers the lowest possible out-of-pocket costs and one that offers the greatest possible flexibility in health care providers.”
From October 19 - November 13, retirees will be able to choose between a Medicare preferred provider organization (PPO) or a Medicare health maintenance organization (HMO) for future coverage. Plan benefits will be consistent across the state but companies that provide coverage will vary based on region.
“We are pleased by the outcome of the competitive bid,” Farley said. “These companies meet our high standards and, of course, there will be no lapse in coverage for any retiree.” Farley also noted that retirees will continue to pay the same share of their health plans` premiums.
Accompanying the change in health plan options is a consolidation of retirees` prescription drug benefits. After January 1, 2010, retirees will be covered by the same provider as active state employees.
“Change of this magnitude can be confusing,” said Naomi Wyatt, the commonwealth`s Secretary of Administration. “Pennsylvania is committed to keeping high-quality benefits for our retired public servants. We`ll be doing everything we can to share timely, accurate information so retirees can make informed decisions.”
Wyatt said that the commonwealth will hold informational meetings around the state over the next several weeks. These meetings will discuss the reasons for the change, the differences between PPOs and HMOs and how these plans intersect with Medicare. The sessions are in addition to dozens of open enrollment meetings to be held later in the fall.
Commonwealth retirees are encouraged to participate and to extend invitations to those who help them make health-care-related decisions:
* Harrisburg - Thursday, September 10 - Farm Show Complex * Philadelphia - Friday, September 18 - Convention Center * Wilkes-Barre - Monday, September 21 - Woodlands Inn & Resort * Monroeville - Wednesday, September 23 - Convention Center
There are three meetings at each location: 8:30 am, 11:00 am, and 2:00 pm. The same information will be covered at each session. No reservations are necessary.
Coventry Health care, currently the largest provider of health benefits for commonwealth retirees, announced on April 30 that it would discontinue its fee-for-service offering effective January 1, 2010. It cited changing Medicare rules as part the basis for its decision.
« Reforms Won’t Control Health Care Costs | Fight against seasonal flu is opening early »
National Automotive Assurance PoliciesMany students periodicaly query about american automotive insurance insuring in Cincinnati or direct motorbike assurance breakdown for young lady. The answer is simple: understand the theme "PEBTF Announces Health Plans for Commonwealth" about health insurance quotes medicare and focus on the themes for safe driver from the best transport insurance dealers. |
 PEBTF Announces Health Plans for Commonwealth |
Category Health Insurance Quotes Medicare
|