Connector prep session available online
Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and OneExchange representatives are conducting seminars to help retirees transition to the OPERS Medicare Connector.
Our Get Ready with OneExchange seminars are designed to present you with information about Medicare and the Connector, the private Medicare exchange in which participants will select their own supplemental health care coverage. We’ll be conducting them around Ohio, and in Florida and Arizona, throughout August and September.
You can sign up for a seminar through your online account or by calling us at 800-222-7377. You’ll learn about how Medicare works and have the opportunity to chat with a OneExchange health care representative.
If you’re unable to attend an on-site seminar, you can watch one that we pre-recorded. It’s available on our website by clicking here. The video will help participants prepare for the plan enrollment call with a OneExchange Licensed Benefit Advisor in October through December.
Michael Pramik
Michael Pramik is communication strategist for the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and editor of the PERSpective blog. As an experienced business journalist, he clarifies complex pension policies and helps members make smart choices to secure their retirement.
When will there be a seminar on the westside of Cleveland? I have talked by phone and have a scheduled conference call in October but I’d like to hear more info regarding these changes.
Thank you,
Sally,
Seminars are scheduled in Westlake on Sept. 14 and Sept. 15. Log into your online account and sign up, or call us at 800-222-7377.
–Ohio PERS
Notify me of webinars please
Karolyn,
Click on this link to see a list of “Get Ready with OneExchange” webinars.
–Ohio PERS
We both retired from Bowling Green State University, Bowling Green, OH – we are covered under OPERS (Humana Medicare) but now have relocated to Trinity, FL 34655. Will we have any kind of connector seminars in Pasco County?
Karen,
There are three seminars on Aug. 18 in St. Petersburg. You can sign up at http://www.opers.org.
–Ohio PERS
Is the webinar content the same as the OneExchange seminar video?
Jim,
Yes. They’re the same thing.
–Ohio PERS
I have made my appointment with OneExchange. Is there a way to review the plans offered in advance of my scheduled call.
Lawrence,
You can click on this link for more information before your enrollment call.
–Ohio PERS
I doesn’t work. I emailed OneExchange and they responded that comparison rates for 2016 from differing insurances companies will not be available until October 5, and some not until October 15. I understood this. I tried their link for retail for 2015 rates and it doesn’t work either. This is not helpful for the retiree to not have the 2015 rates just to review and compare, prior to the 2016 rates coming out. OSHIP has rates, but I’m sure most retirees may not go there to access. One enters all the info required and hopes to review current rates, but it just won’t happen.
The link you suggest is OneExchange and one can’t get the information on plans and rates until October 5 and even October 15 for some plans (for 2016). I knew this but want to compare 2015 rates and plans. OneExchange emailed me that 2015 plans and rates are not available on their site, even though they suggest it is. The only other thing I know of is to review 2015 plans and rates on OSHIP or ODI, which might not be as accurate for OPERS retirees,
When is the telephone interview scheduled for my Husband? Please contact me.
Deborah,
We can’t answer personal questions like yours in the blog. Please call us at 800-222-7377.
–Ohio PERS
this was one of the worst dealings that I ever had. don’t bother filing out the prelim questionnaire, because the same exact questions u answered are all asked again. The person I talked with was very difficult to understand. Perhaps English was her third language. Then after about a 1 hr. conversation only to be told call back to another site and be ready to spend another hour. Why bother filling out the initial question application? I was meticulous answering every question thoroughly and then have to repeat the same thing over again. Why not just skip that step. I was told they have no access to the initial questionnaire. This is a very poor process
We all can say thanks to Obamacare.
Find out how the Affordable Care Act affects Medicare https://www.medicare.gov/about-us/affordable-care-act/affordable-care-act.html
OPERS posted a video that explains why OneExchange verifies our information so many times and has us talk to a variety of specialists: https://youtu.be/DM8o6uY6aaQ
When will there be educational programs for those of us who are not eligible for Medicare Part A? It seems non of the materials address this group and I’ve received no information about time lines. When do we apply for part A? When do we become part of the connector? What happens in the meantime to our insurance?
Linda,
There will be informational meetings in early 2016. We recently detailed enrollment timeframes in a letter to those members who are not eligible for premium-free Medicare Part A.
–Ohio PERS
I didn’t get the letter
Douglas,
Give us a call at 800-222-7377, and we can help you.
–Ohio PERS
When is the OPERS app for Android/Apple coming out?
Joe,
That’s not in the works just yet, but we are planning to introduce a new, responsive website design later this year that will work more efficiently with smart phones.
–Ohio PERS
Are there going to be any seminars or webinars in October?
Patricia,
For that information please refer to the appropriate section of our website.
–Ohio PERS