Exchange Retirees to be Offered New, Exclusive Medical Plan
Exchange retirees (post 65) with post-retirement health-insurance coverage with the Exchange will be offered a new medical plan during open enrollment, which takes place from Nov. 1 through Nov. 30. The new plan, Medicare Advantage with Prescription Drug (MAPD), will be effective Jan. 1. Medicare-eligible dependents are also eligible.
Under the new plan, participants can file claims directly with Aetna instead of with Medicare and then Aetna. The new plan has one deductible of $250, a co-pay of $5 for a primary-care physician visit, and a $10 co-pay for a specialist visit, plus other benefits.
“This is a Medicare program,” said Kelli Rhody, Director of Benefits. “If participants already have a Medicare doctor, they should be in good shape. That’s because more than 960,000 network doctors and specialists and over 4,100 network hospitals accept the Aetna Medicare Advantage plan.”
The cost for MAPD is lower than the current plans offered to retirees 65 and older. For example, the cost of single coverage in the MAPD plan is 60% lower than the current plan, based on MAPD vs. a 2022 retiree plan: MAPD is $65.57 compared with $164.69 for the Traditional Choice Plan for retirees age 65 and older.
Medicare-eligible retirees have received information in the mail, and more details are to come. For those with questions, Aetna will hold conference calls beginning this week to address participants’ questions and concerns. The call in number is 844-712-3250 and use participation code# 94500945. The schedule is below.
| CONUS (Includes Hawaii, Alaska and Puerto Rico) Retirees | ||||
| Attendees | Day | Month | Date | Time – Eastern Time (ET) |
| CONUS Retirees | Thu | Oct | 28th | 9:00 AM ET |
| CONUS Retirees | Thu | Oct | 28th | 4:00 PM ET |
| CONUS Retirees | Mon | Nov | 1st | 9:00 AM ET |
| CONUS Retirees | Tue | Nov | 2nd | 3:00 PM ET |
| CONUS Retirees | Wed | Nov | 3rd | 9:00 AM ET |
| CONUS Retirees | Wed | Nov | 3rd | 11:00 AM ET |
| CONUS Retirees | Wed | Nov | 3rd | 5:00 PM ET |
| CONUS Retirees | Mon | Nov | 8th | 1:00 PM ET |
| CONUS Retirees | Mon | Nov | 8th | 4:00 PM ET |
| CONUS Retirees | Tue | Nov | 9th | 2:00 PM ET |
| CONUS Retirees | Mon | Nov | 15th | 10:00 AM ET |
| CONUS Retirees | Mon | Nov | 15th | 3:00 PM ET |
| CONUS Retirees | Tue | Nov | 16th | 9:00 AM ET |
https://www.theexchangepost.com/2016/09/19/get-ready-for-open-enrollment/?relatedposts_hit=1&relatedposts_origin=21592&relatedposts_position=2
This shows 2017 open enrollment date above ????
Hi, Johnny.
I’m a bit confused by your comment. Open enrollment dates for 2021 are Nov. 1-30. Changes take effect Jan. 1, 2022. These are the dates in today’s story.
The 2018 period was also Nov. 1-30 for changes taking place in 2019. The same period applies this year even though it has varied in other years.
Vr,
Robert Philpot,
The Exchange Post
Thank you for your clarification.
Robert! I am confused on this new plan. I retired in 2009 with fully medical paid for life by AAFES. U don’t address that in this article. Am I now going to have to pay this $65.57, is this monthly?? or annually. Understand my current Aetna plan will not longer be available, but have yet to receive and official word from AAFES on this new program. Is this $65.57 going to be paid for by aafes as part of my retirement package. I am already 78 and from what I can see so far is that this will put an unnecessary financial burden on me. Please advise! Thanks. Richard Svoboda, Dallas, Tx
Hi, Richard.
I suggest that you attend one of the teleconferences listed in the article. They are the best place to ask your question.You can also contact HRSC with questions at HRSC@aafes.com or 1-214-312-6190.
Vr,
Robert Philpot
The Exchange Post
Does this change do away with the annual need to fill out the health questionnaire, getting body mass checked, and having an annual physical, all to get a reduction in copay amounts?
Hi, Tony. This is from the benefits department:
“The Health Incentive Credit (HIC) isn’t included in the MAPD. The HIC provides an opportunity to participants enrolled in the plan we offer our associates as a means to reduce their deductible. It isn’t mandatory.”
Vr,
Robert Philpot
The Exchange Post
Robert
Please give a YES or NO answer.
I retired in 1996 with FREE medical through Aetna, which has almost all the coverage listed in the NEW plan being “offered”, which has monthly premiums. If I do not want the new plan does that mean I no longer have medical coverage through aafes retirement plan as of 1 January 2022.
I plan to attend a telecommunication conference also.
Hi, Gary. From the benefits department:
“Yes, if you opt out of the MAPD you will no longer have health benefits with the Exchange.”
You should be able to address this concern during the telecommunication conference.
Vr,
Robert Philpot
The Exchange Post
Robert
I should have asked, under the “new” plan will aafes retiree have to pay premiums out of pocket or is it still free to us. This is a big question I and other retirees are concerned with.
I listen to the telecommunications today and the lady only said something about one NAF was “grandfathered” but didn’t say which. I am assuming she ment aafes, since the new plan is almost an exact copy of our current plan, with some improvements.
Hi, Gary. Apologies for the delayed response. Recommend you call the Benefits department, 1-800-519-3381, to see if they can resolve your question.
I retired in 2007. When I became Medicare eligible I enrolled in Traditional Medicare and Aetna was my secondary. Does this mean I need to enroll in the Aetna Advantage Plan or will I automatically be switched over to the new plan?
Hi. Frances. All retirees 65 and older will automatically be enrolled.
Vr,
Robert Philpot
The Exchange Post
Is this only for Stateside Retirees? I plan to retire in a couple years – but will be staying in Germany. Is there any consideration for OCONUS?
Hi, Eileen. Sorry for the delayed response. It is not currently available for OCONUS. I don’t know about the future. Please call Apologies for the Benefits department, 1-800-519-3381, to see if they can resolve your question.
Vr,
Robert Philpot
The Exchange Post
I’ll retire in March 2022 with 13 years is this available to me
Hi, Dan. Sorry for the delayed response. Please call the Benefits department, 1-800-519-3381. They should be able to give you an answer.
Vr,
Robert Philpot,
The Exchange Post
Through my husband (deceased) I have full medical benefits for life without any charge to me. Has this changed and i will now be charged? This question was asked before, but no answer was given. A yes or no would be helpful. Thanks.
Hi, Heidi. Please call the Benefits department, 1-800-519-3381. They are vest equipped to answer your question.
Vr,
Robert Philpot
The Exchange Post
I’m going to get on a conference call. However, just want to know if hearing aids is included in the plan?
Hi, Tonya. Sorry for the delay. If you have not yet resolved your question, please call the Benefits department, 1-800-519-3381, for assistance.
Vr,
Robert Philpot
The Exchange Post
I will retire ( probably ) in 2022 or 2023 age 66 or 67. I live in and will continue to live in Okinawa, Japan. Will i be able to take advantage of this?
Hi, Michael. Sorry for the delayed response. Please call the Benefits department, 1-800-519-3381, which can answer your question.
Vr,
Robert Philpot
The Exchange Post
Why are you not posting or answering my comments???
Hi, Mr. Goodloe. Sorry for the delay. I forwarded your comments to the Benefits department, which asks that you call them directly at 1-800-519-3381.
Vr,
Robert Philpot
The Exchange Post
I am grandfathered for insurance. Do I have to select the Aetna Advantage Plan or can I keep my current PPO plan?
Hi, Theresa. Please call the Benefits department, 1-800-519-3381. They are the best people to answer your question.
Robert Philpot
The Exchange Post
I am surprised at the lack of answers by aafes on many questions here. I too am a retiree with paid up medical insurance for life (my wife as well). a simple yes or no would solve many of these questions. There should be no need to call HR for the answer.
1. Is the new plan part of the aetna PPO plan we already have ?
2. Do we pay any extra for the new aetna Medicare plan?
Hi, Mr. Meeks,
Here is the Benefits department’s response:
“The new plan is similar to the Aetna PPO in that it has copays and deductible. The new plan is a PPO plan but it’s a Medicare Advantage PPO plan specifically designed for AAFES retirees. Retirees who are grandfathered pay the Medicare premiums just like you did before this new plan. You don’t pay any other premiums.”
Vr,
Robert Philpot
The Exchange Post
Seems one question is never answered here . What happened to those of us who retired with free medical care ? I’m sure all of knew that when we turned 65 we would pay Medicare . But they’re no answers about paid up medical . It’s like we where lied to all the years we put in thinking we would have free medical care . It’s one of the reasons I stayed with AAFES . I had a chance to become a ART in the Air Force as a turbo prop tech . It paid well but after retirement you had to pay insurance premiums and could only have a 401k and your AF Reserve retirement which was dependent on points and rank as to your retirement . I elected like many to stay with AAFES . As a military brat and AF reserve retired I lived helping the best customers in the world . My Wingman .
Sorry, I’ve been away from my account for a good while now. I still don’t understand what happened to the retirement health insurance we were promised after retirement. Yes, I understand I pay for part B Medicare and receive part C at no cost. If have both Medicare and the Aetna ppl plane, would I not pay less out of pocket? I must be missing something in the translation because in my mind it still does not add up.
Hi, Mr. Meeks,
I recommend calling Benefits directly toll-free at 800-519-3381 to see what they can do to help. You can also email them at Benefits@aafes.com, but a phone call would probably provide a better back-and-forth. They have the direct knowledge and should be able to provide answers.
Vr,
Robert Philpot
Editor
The Exchange Post