OPERS releases November health care video
The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System has released the latest monthly health care chat with OPERS Health Care Director Marianne Steger.
In the November video, Steger addresses questions that members have sent to us via the PERSpective blog. She covers topics such as medical underwriting, Connector reimbursement and monthly allowances for health care coverage.
You can click here to access the video, which we’ve posted on our YouTube channel.
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.
I broke my back working with the criminally insane. I have had 3 surgeries & need a 4th in January. My wife takes care of me. How long will she remain on my insurance. I am on Permanent Disability.
Bill,
For spousal insurance coverage, there is a three-year transition with an initial allowance reduction (for those who currently have an allowance) in 2016 leading to a zero allowance by 2018. Continued access at full premium cost for spouses under age 65 will be available in 2018 and 2019. If retirees are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B, there will be access for spouses to the OPERS Medicare Connector beginning in 2016, with no allowance beginning in 2018.
–Ohio PERS
very informative and greatly executed video, please keep doing these
Will the connector team be knowledgeable about medical VA benefits when helping us choose a plan.
Fred,
Yes, the Connector will have that information to help those who receive VA benefits.
–Ohio PERS
First of all will the dental and vision plans remain after the medicare connector is in place?
Second will snowbirds be penalized? I went to the Towers Watson website and noticed that similar F plans are cheaper in Ohio than in Florida. Will snowbirds who spend 6 months in Ohio and 6 months in Florida have a choice of an Ohio or a Florida health care plan? Right now you have forced retirees having traditional health care coverage into health care networks based upon the address on their 1099. This is wrong especially if you own property in both states and basically spend 6 months at each residence.
Gary,
Yes, our plan is to continue to offer dental and vision plans, even if some are offered through the Connector.
We are researching your other question and plan to address it in our December health care video.
–Ohio PERS
Am deeply grateful to all at OPERS who have worked so hard and done such an outstanding job on these health care issues. Thank you. When this finally settles down, is there any chance OPERS would offer an optional long term care insurance. Members would pay premiums, but with so many members, maybe OPERS would get good rates. Also, it would be wonderful to have OPERS expertise in long term care insurance selection. Thank you.
as,
We have done so in the past, but our insurer isn’t taking any new enrollees, and there aren’t any other group insurers who will do so.
–Ohio PERS
I watched the most recent health care video, which refers steadily to guaranteed issue. This is only available under the Affordable Care Act, which the Republicans (and now maybe the Supreme Court) are determined to overthrow. If this does indeed happen, OPERS members with pre-existing conditions may find themselves denied healthcare. How does OPERS intend to guard against such an outcome? Those of us with pre-existing conditions have received healthcare up to now primarily because it was an employer-provided program, and changing to an individually purchased program with employer reimbursement means those of us with pre-existing conditions may lose this option. I would very much appreciate your comments on this.
Linda,
The Affordable Care Act applies only to the non-Medicare population. So if anything changes with the ACA, it would not affect the Connector. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid has its own rules covering guaranteed issue. They are as stated in the video.
–Ohio PERS
Thanks, Michael. I called Medicare and they say the same. I am evidently more confused than I realized and appreciate your help.