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HomeMy WebLinkAbout2010-175 7� 3/1d ia. D. Z . Eligibility Requirements Olt) To be eligible to enroll in the BlueMedicaresm Group PPO plan , eligible retirees and their eligible dependents must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B . If a retiree did not enroll in Medicare Part B , the retiree must contact the Social Security Administration at 1 -800 - 772 - 1213 for assistance in enrolling in Medicare Part B . TTY users should call 1 -800 - 325 -0778 . A late enrollment penalty may apply . r For the BlueMedicaresm Group PPO plan , retirees must reside in the nationwide service area and not be actively working . > Medicare eligible dependents of an active group employee may enroll in the BlueMedicares"^ Group PPO plan . The active employee would need to select the group ' s commercial plan , and their Medicare eligible dependent can enroll in the BlueMedicare Group PPO plan . This is considered a " split- contract" . r The Medicare eligible group retiree and their Medicare eligible dependent must both enroll in the same BlueMedicaresm Group plan , or both remain on the commercial plan . Eligible retirees and dependents may enroll during the group ' s Annual Open Enrollment Period . Retirees and their dependents may also enroll if they met the requirements for a Medicare Special Election Period . Retirees and their dependents may disenroll during the group ' s next Annual Open Enrollment Period , at the group ' s discretion if returning to the group ' s commercial plan , or per Medicare guidelines . The employer group will also need to contact Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida . If a BlueMedicaresm Group member permanently moves out of the plan service area , the member will need to contact the group and also contact the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services at 1 - 800 -633 -4227 . TTY users should call 1 - 877 -486- 2048 . The employer group will also need to contact Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Florida . •e 4 Plan Design & Benefits The benefit matrix attached is for informational purposes only . See plan documents for a complete description of benefits , limitations , and conditions of coverage . Governmental entities may be subject to Florida Statute 112 . 0801 , which requires that retired employees and their eligible dependents be offered the same health coverage options that are offered to active employees . While retirees who are eligible for Medicare may be offered a separate plan and the plan may be experience rated separately from the active employee group plan , this coverage must be basically the same as the coverage offered to active employees . Also , if active employees are permitted to change plan options annually , Medicare eligible retirees must also be offered that option . The employer group has the option as to whether or not to contribute to the BlueMedicare Group PPO plan . BlueMedicares" Group PPO Plan Implementation We will provide the following services at no additional cost : Assist employers in preparing communications to retirees > Provide enrollment materials to the group for their retirees > Assist in BlueMedicares" Group retiree enrollment meetings Maintain toll -free phone lines to answer retiree questions and assist them in the enrollment process ➢ Provide a dedicated BlueMedicares"" Member Services Department & dedicated Group Administrator phone line and email access . 1 Financial Conditions for BlueMedicaresm Group Products ➢ Effective Date — The benefit plan design provided in this proposal will be effective from October 1 , 2010 through September 30 , 2011 . r Rates and Benefit Approval — All benefits , value -added services , and premiums are subject to CMS and the State of Florida OIR approvals , where applicable . All Group Medicare Advantage , PDP benefits , and service areas are subject to change at the next enrollment period . ➢ Rates — All rates are calculated and based on a per- member , per- month ( PMPM ) basis and are effective from October 1 , 2010 through September 30 , 2011 . Rates may be lower than quoted for those Medicare eligible retirees who meet the Low- Income Subsidy ( LIS ) guidelines . A retiree can confirm if they qualify for LIS by contacting Social Security at 1 - 800- 772- 1213 , visit www. socialsecurity . gov on the web , or apply at the State Medical Assistance ( Medicaid ) office . TTY users should call 1 -800 - 325- 0778 . The group ' s montly invoice will reflect retirees ' reduced premiums and the group must pass this savings on to the eligible retirees . r Part D Creditable Coverage - If prior creditable coverage cannot be proven , the enrollee may incur a Late Enrollment Penalty ( LEP ) as defined and set by CMS . This may cause an increase in their premium . Medicare Part B — The premium /s provided in this proposal exclude the Medicare Part B premium required of Medicare eligible enrollees to enroll in Medicare Advantage or Medicare Supplement plans . Retirees who did not enroll in Part B when they became eligible may do so during the Medicare Part B Annual Election Period of January 1 st — March 31 st . Their Part B coverage would not become effective until July 1st . Depending on the retiree ' s circumstances , CMS may impose a Part B late enrollment penalty . Possible changes by CMS in year 2011 . BlueMedicaresM Group Medicare Advantage plans replace Original Medicare , Individual Medicare plans , and commercial health and Rx plans offered under the employer ' s group plan . a Enrollment Process The employer group agrees to send an enrollment meeting invitation letter to their Medicare eligible retirees BCBSF will assist the employer group with the BlueMedicaresm Group enrollment meeting > BlueMedicaresm Group PPO enrollment forms will be returned to the employer group by the enrollees at the close of the group ' s annual enrollment period . The employer group will review the forms for completion , bundle them , and send them to the BCBSF Front End Services Department for processing . In addition , the group agrees to provide a roster of their enrollees to the BCBSF Account Management Specialist . Note : If a member is renewing the same BlueMedicare Group PPO plan, they do not need to complete a new enrollment application for plan year 2010. Each accepted new BlueMedicaresm Group PPO member will be mailed a Welcome Package . The Welcome Package includes a member I . D . card , Evidence of Coverage , if applicable , a Provider Directory , and other important information concerning their enrollment into the plan . Note: If a member is renewing their same BlueMedicare Group PPO plan, they will not receive a new 2010 I. D. card. Please note their current BlueMedicare Group I. D . card is applicable for plan year 2010. ❖ Note : CMS makes the final determination of eligibility for all Medicare plans . If after receiving their Welcome Package , CMS determines that the member is not eligible for a BlueMedicaresm Group plan , the member can then enroll as usual into the employer group ' s commercial plan . > I . D . cards are normally sent out at least 5 days prior to the member' s effective date . The effective date is always the first of the month . > Family members who are eligible according to the group ' s eligibility guidelines but are not eligible for Medicare , should select the group ' s commercial plan under normal processing guidelines . > The employer group will receive premium invoice for BlueMedicarell Group PPO members separate from their commercial plan invoice . Invoices are sent to the group , or by special request , can be billed to a Third Party Administrator (TPA ) . I have reviewed and accept the attached renewal proposal : Signature : Date : Title : County Administrator Group Name : Indian River County BOCC APPROVED AS TO FORM AND LEGAL. SUFFICIENCY BY�: _ ALAN S . POLACKWICH COUNTY ATTORNEY