Prescription drug plan change
State announces change to prescription drug plans for retirees, pensioners
9:47 a.m., Sept. 10, 2012--Effective Jan. 1, 2013, the state of Delaware’s group health insurance prescription plan for Medicare-eligible University of Delaware retirees and pensioners will change to an enhanced Medicare Part D Retiree Prescription plan.
The plan will be administered by Express Scripts. Medco, now Express Scripts, is committed to providing service and quality prescription drug coverage.
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In addition, the plan year for Special Medicfill -- the state’s Medicare supplement plan -- and prescription coverage will change to a calendar year effective Jan. 1, 2013. Special Medicfill will continue to be administered by Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware.
These changes, approved by the State Employee Benefits Committee in 2012, apply to all Medicare-eligible University/state retirees. This new plan allows the state to provide a comparable level of prescription coverage, while also taking advantage of federal programs that provide significant cost savings and allow for reduced premiums, and offers better coverage than a standard Medicare Part D plan.
- The copay structure and retail pharmacy network will remain the same as the current plan, except that Veterans Administration pharmacies will no longer be in the network.
- This chart shows the new retiree rates and UD/state contribution. (State pensioners who retired with less than 20 years of pension-creditable service may pay a higher portion.)
The new annual plan year for the Special Medicfill plan and prescription coverage will be from Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 each year. Dental, vision and blood bank coverage will continue as fiscal year plans from July 1 to June 30, with open enrollment in May.
Current Special Medicfill participants will receive a mailing from the UD Office of Human Resources during the week of Sept. 10.
Beginning Sept. 19, information about the new plan will be mailed to participants in a package from Express Scripts.
Individuals are also invited to attend one of the information meetings scheduled between Sept. 18 and October 4. Click here for the schedule. These meetings provide an opportunity to learn and ask questions about the new prescription drug plan. No pre-registration is needed.