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September 24, 2014 

2015 Open Enrollment for CTPF Retirees Starts Oct. 1  

 

CTPF offers health insurance benefits to retired members whose final teaching service was CTPF, and their eligible survivors/dependents.   

 

CTPF offers an annual Open Enrollment Period during October when retirees can:Notify

  • Enroll in a health insurance plan for the first time    
  • Add a dependent to a CTPF plan  
  • Change a health insurance plan or carrier       

The CTPF Open Enrollment Period will be
October 1-31, 2014.  Changes made during Open Enrollment become effective January 1, 2015.

 

Once in a Lifetime Rule Waived

Eligible members and their dependents may enroll in a CTPF health plan once in a lifetime, unless they experience a qualifying event. CTPF will make an exception and allow all qualified members and their dependents to enroll in CTPF plans during the 2015 Open Enrollment period, October 1-31, 2014. This exception is being made to accommodate members who may be impacted by changes to CTPF's outside rebate program.

  

Watch Your Mail for the Handbook....   

   

The 2015 CTPF Health Insurance Handbook and Open Enrollment Guide was mailed to CTPF retirees on September 22. The Handbook includes a summary of 2015 plan changes and updates, comparison charts and plan costs for Medicare and Non-Medicare Plans, and an enrollment form for most plans. This guide is your primary reference material for 2015 Open Enrollment, so please read and review it carefully.  Click here to download a PDF version of the Open Enrollment Guide.  

 

   

2015 Insurance Costs.... 

CTPF Health Insurance Premium Subsidy

The amount CTPF can spend on a health insurance premium subsidy is limited to $65 million per year, plus any "carryover" amount from the previous year. The subsidy is set annually and is subject to change. CTPF trustees have lobbied vigorously to have the spending cap raised, but the Illinois legislature has not raised the cap since it was set a decade ago. 

Given the rise in insurance costs, CTPF trustees voted to subsidize the 2015 CTPF health insurance premiums at 50% (certain limitations may apply), effective January 1, 2015.

Members with health insurance coverage outside of CTPF may be eligible for a subsidy from CTPF's outside rebate program. For health insurance premium costs incurred in 2015, the amount eligible for a subsidy will be limited to the cost of CTPF's most affordable non-Medicare or Medicare plan.

 

  
2015 Plan Costs

Overall rates for CTPF plans increased an average of 9.4% for 2015. A portion of the increase (3.3%) is attributed to Federal Affordable Care Act fees. 

 

 Click here for 2015 rates for members who are eligible for Medicare.

 


2015 Plan Changes and Updates
Click here for a summary of changes for Medicare and Non-Medicare plans that become effective on January 1, 2015. 

SEMINARSFall Open Enrollment Seminar 
Registration Now Open 
health insurance The Open Enrollment Period for 2015 health insurance will be October 1-31, 2014. During Open Enrollment, retirees can enroll for the first time, add a dependent, or change a health insurance plan or carrier.

  

CTPF's Health Insurance Open Enrollment Seminars and Webinars offer an overview of 2015 health plan choices and changes, and are designed to make sure you have the information you need to make an informed decision about your 2015 health care. Webinars will be held October 1 and 2. Seminars will be held on October 7 and 9. Registration is required for all seminars and webinars.


 

Click here to register for a Seminar (Oct. 7 or 9).

  

Tuesday, October 7

Chicago Cultural Center,

2nd floor, Claudia Cassidy Theater

78 East Washington Street

Chicago, Illinois 60602

9:00 a.m. Medicare plans

1:00 p.m. Non-Medicare plans

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Thursday, October 9
Hilton Oak Lawn
Ballroom
9333 South Cicero Ave.
Oak Lawn, Illinois 60453
9:00 a.m. Medicare plans
1:00 p.m. Non-Medicare
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Webinar

Open Enrollment WEBINARSOctober 1 and 2

Members who prefer not to travel can access the same information presented in the seminars during an online webinar. 

 

You must have a PC or Mac computer to access the webinar and advance registration is required.Two different webinars will be offered, one for Medicare Eligible members and another for Non-Medicare eligible members.  

 

Medicare Eligible Members WEBINARonline presentation

This online presentation will offer information for members who are Medicare eligible or will become Medicare eligible in 2015.

 

10:00 a.m.

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Click here to register

 

Non-Medicare Eligible Members WEBINAR

This online presentation online presentation will offer information for members who are not Medicare eligible (generally under age 65). 

 

10:00 a.m. 

Thursday, October 2, 2014

Click here to register

 

Medicare Part D Reminder...   

Important information for CTPF Medicare Plan Enrollees....

 

If you are enrolled in CTPF health insurance coverage for Medicare eligible members, your plan already includes Medicare Part D prescription coverage.

 

Around this time of year, other health insurance companies may send you information about other Medicare Part D plans. Do not enroll in any other Medicare Part D prescription plan. If you do, you will be disenrolled from all CTPF medical and prescription insurance. If you receive solicitations that you are uncertain about, please call CTPF Member Services at 1.312.641.4464 for assistance.  

 

calendar Important Open  

Enrollment Dates

 

October  

  

1 

2014 Retiree Health Insurance Open Enrollment Period begins.

 

Open enrollment webinar, 10:00 a.m., Medicare Eligible Members.
Click here to register.

 

2  

Open Enrollment webinar, 10:00 a.m. Non-Medicare Eligible Members.

 

7

Open Enrollment Seminar 

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED call 312.641.4464   

Chicago Cultural Center

78 East Washington Street

Chicago, Illinois 60602
9:00 a.m. Medicare plans
1:00 p.m. Non-Medicare plans 

 

9

Open Enrollment Seminar,  

RESERVATIONS REQUIRED call 312.641.4464    

Hilton Chicago/Oak Lawn

9333 S. Cicero Ave.
Oak Lawn, IL  

9:00 a.m.  Medicare plans

1:00 p.m. Non-Medicare

 

31

CTPF Retiree Health Insurance Open Enrollment Period closes. All materials must be postmarked by this date. Send all forms and documentation to CTPF. If you send forms to the insurance companies they will not be processed.



CTPF MISSION STATEMENT
To provide, protect, and enhance the present and future economic well being of members, pensioners and beneficiaries through efficient and effective management of benefit programs, investment practices and customer service, and to commit to earning and keeping the respect and trust of the participants through quality service and by protecting retirement benefits, in compliance with applicable laws and standards.
 

  

CTPF BOARD OF TRUSTEES 
Jay C. Rehak, president
Lois W. Ashford, vice president
Mary Sharon Reilly, financial secretary
Raymond Wohl, recording secretary
Carlos M. Azcoitia
Robert F. Bures
Jeffery Blackwell
Bernie Eshoo
Tina Padilla
Walter E. Pilditch
Jerry Travlos
Andrea L. Zopp
Kevin B. Huber, executive director

Office/Mailing Information   Chicago Teachers' Pension Fund
203 North LaSalle Street, suite 2600
Chicago, Illinois 60601-1231
312.641.4464 p.
312.641.7185 f.