Retiree Benefits

KSU Retirees,

Here’s a step-by-step guide to procedures during Open Enrollment Periods for retirees.

For Pre-65 Retirees

  1. Call 1-844-587-4236 or go to oneusgconnect.usg.edu during the USG Open Enrollment Period (October 24 – November 4, 2022). Log in.
  2. Choose a healthcare plan. To compare plans, see the Comparison Guide (https://benefits.usg.edu/assets/documents/health-and-well-being/2022_Comparison_Guide_revised.pdf). If you will turn 65 before June 2024, do not choose Consumer Choice HSA (see page 36). You may be billed by IRS for taxes on tax-exempt contributions made to your HSA within six months prior to going on Medicare.
  3. To avoid the tobacco surcharge, complete tobacco certification for self, spouse, and dependents.
  4. Retirees are exempt from the working spouse surcharge.
  5. Review your dental and vision coverage (page 30 of Comparison Guide). You can switch dental plans, but if you drop dental or vision coverage, you can NEVER get it back!
  6. Review the beneficiaries of your life insurance.

For Retirees Turning 65 Before January 2024

  1. Go to https://benefits.usg.edu/benefits-resources/retired-or-planning-to-retire.
  2. Read section If You’re Turning Age 65, especially the third bullet point.
  3. If you are not yet collecting Social Security benefits, please contact Medicare 60 to 90 days before your 65th birthday and ask for a Medicare Enrollment Kit.

For Post-65 Retirees

  1. Call 1-844-587-4236 or go to oneusgconnect.usg.edu during the USG Open Enrollment Period (October 24 – November 4, 2022). Log in.
  2. Review your dental and vision coverage (page 30 of Comparison Guide). You can switch dental plans, but if you drop dental or vision coverage, you can NEVER get it back!
  3. Review the beneficiaries of your life insurance.
  4. Call 1-866-212-5052 or go to https://retiree.alight.com/usg during the Medicare Open Enrollment Period (October 15 – December 7 of each year). Log in.
  5. Click on the Learn more drop-down menu.
  6. Review your prescription drugs. Be sure they’re current. Formularies change, so your drug plan may need to change.
  7. Review your doctors. Be sure they’re current. Networks change, so your Medicare Advantage plan may need to change (if you’re in a Medicare Advantage plan).
  8. Follow the prompts for Alight to compare plans for you. There are three tabs – Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and Prescription Drugs.
  9. Decide if you prefer a Medicare Supplement (“Medigap”) plan (more standardized) or a Medicare Advantage plan, to complement Medicare Part B.
  10. If you prefer a Medicare Supplement plan, click on the second tab and follow the prompts. Compare Alight’s recommendations to your current healthcare plan. If you change healthcare plans, you may be subject to “medical underwriting.” Do not drop your current plan until you have been accepted into your new plan. If you change plans, do so through Alight, not through your carrier. Otherwise, you may lose your $2,736/year Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) FOREVER.
  11. If you enroll in a Medicare Supplement plan and want prescription drug coverage, you’ll need to enroll in a Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) to serve as your Medicare Part D. To find PDPs, click on the third tab and follow the prompts. Compare Alight’s recommendations to your current drug plan. It’s easy to change drug plans.
  12. If you prefer a Medicare Advantage plan, click on the first tab and follow the prompts. Medicare Advantage plans serve as Medicare Part C, combining Part B and Part D. Compare Alight’s recommendations to your current healthcare plan. If you change healthcare plans, you may be subject to “medical underwriting.” Do not drop your current plan until you have been accepted into your new plan. If you change plans, do so through Alight, not through your carrier. Otherwise, you may lose your $2,736/year Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) FOREVER.
  13. If you are in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you can also switch to a different Medicare Advantage Plan or switch to Original Medicare (and join a separate Medicare drug plan) during Medicare Advantage Open Enrollment Period (January 1 – March 31 of each year). Compare Alight’s recommendations to your current healthcare plan. If you change healthcare plans, you may be subject to “medical underwriting.” Do not drop your current plan until you have been accepted into your new plan. If you change plans, do so through Alight, not through your carrier. Otherwise, you may lose your $2,736/year Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) FOREVER.
  14. You can also get dental and/or vision insurance through Alight
  15. You must get at least one insurance plan (Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement, and /or Prescription Drugs) through Alight or you WILL lose your $2,736/year Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) FOREVER.

You can get help by calling OneUSG (1-844-587-4236) or Alight (1-866-212-5052) for their respective coverages.

Good luck!

Dorothy Zinsmeister
KSU Representative on USG Retiree Council

 

 

 

 

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