2012 Retiree Health Insurance Update

BCBS Supplement to Medicare 

BCBS HMO Illinois (Medicare)    

 AARP Medicare Plan F (UnitedHealthcare)

If you participate in the Humana Group Medicare HMO, this change does not affect you. 

What does this mean?

Beginning January 1, 2012, CTPF retirees who participate in plans listed above will have retail prescription benefits and mail-order prescription benefits provided by the Medco Medicare Prescription Plan (PDP). This change does not impact your medical benefits, only your prescription provider. 

Medco manages prescription benefits for hundreds of America's largest companies. The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) have awarded the Medco Medicare Prescription Plan (PDP) 4 out of 5 stars for quality and service.

How much will prescriptions cost?

The new Medco plan is an enhanced prescription plan that will continue to cover the same drugs your current BCBS or UnitedHealthcare plan covers, including prescription drugs not normally covered by Medicare Part D plans. 

Prescription copays up to a 31-day retail supply are $5 generic, $30 preferred brand, and $45 non-preferred brand; 90-day supply copays at retail or mail order are $10 generic, $60 preferred brand, and $90 non-preferred brand. 

Although standard Medicare Part D plans may include a coverage gap (doughnut hole), the Medco enhanced plan offers continued coverage through the coverage gap (copays apply).  

You can find specific information about the cost of drugs and coverage on the CTPF MEDCO website. You can also get an estimate of your yearly pharmacy expenses. Click here to explore the resources available on the MEDCO website.   

What do I have to do?

Participants in the plans listed above will automatically be enrolled in the new Medco Medicare Prescription Plan (PDP) beginning January 1, 2012. Medco has begun to mail welcome kits to enrollees. Kits include a prescription drug card, formulary, and mail service order form.

Show your pharmacy provider your new Medco ID card the first time you fill a prescription in 2012.

Prior Authorization

Enrollees taking prescription drugs that require prior authorization will need to obtain new prior authorization approval from their physicians. Ask your  pharmacist to help you initiate this process.

Mail Order Users

MEDCO will also be the mail order pharmacy service. MEDCO will attempt to automatically transfer any remaining mail order prescription refills from Prime Therapeutics and UnitedHealthcare. You can contact MEDCO Customer Service after January 1, 2012, to make sure your prescription refills have been transferred. 

Additional Information

If you have coverage questions or need assistance, call Medco at 1-800-864-1416 or
1-800-716-3231 TTY/TDD (24 hours a day, 7 days a week), or click here to visit the dedicated website. 

Fall Wrap Up

Illinois House Bill 3827 which proposed a new structure for the Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund Board of Trustees failed to progress in the Illinois House of Representatives during the fall veto session. The bill would have eliminated the current 12-member Board of Trustees, replacing it with a 7-member board.

Illinois Senate Bill 512

Illinois Senate Bill 512 which proposed a series of "reform" measures, but failed to require employers to fund pensions, passed out of committee in the fall veto session, but was not called for a vote. The measure will likely be brought up during the spring General Assembly.

Action Items

CTPF encourages all members to take time during the holidays and winter to meet with legislators while they are in their home offices. It's important for legislators to understand that pensions are the primary source of retirement security for CTPF members and that protecting these constitutionally guaranteed benefits is a priority for teachers.

Need information to prepare for a visit or to share with friends and neighbors? Click here to read some important facts about CTPF pensions.

Read Executive Director Kevin B. Huber's written testimony about SB512 here.