Public Employee Press

Re-opener period for health plans and Medicare

This is the part of a series of frequently asked questions about the benefits provided by the DC 37 Health & Security Plan.

This month’s focus is on the annual Health Insurance Re-opener offered by the city Office of Labor Relations, the Medicare Prescription Drug Enrollment Period, and the plan’s annual Notice of Creditable Prescription Drug Coverage.

Q. Can employees and retirees switch health plans during the 2008 re-opener period?
A. Yes, employees are eligible to switch every year, but retirees can only switch during even years. The re-opener period will run from Nov. 3 to 28. Changes for employees will be ­effective with the first pay period in 2009. The effective date for retirees is Jan. 1, 2009.

Q. How can I get information about the plans available to me?
A. Information about the health plans offered by the city is available on the Web page of the Office ofLabor Relations. Go to www.nyc.gov, click on “Labor Relations” and then on “Health Benefits Program.” Employees and retirees can also call the Health and Security Plan’s Health Insurance and Pension Unit at 212-815-1200.

Q. I’m a Medicare-eligible retiree. Are there important things I should know before I make any change in my health insurance coverage?
A. The city Health Benefits program Web site provides specific guidelines to ensure continued coverage for retirees transferring into or out of Medicare HMO plans. Joining a health insurance plan that is outside the plans offered by the city program may affect your eligibility for Medicare Part B reimbursement as well as your prescription drug coverage. We strongly advise retirees to contact our Health and Pension Unit before making any change in their coverage.

Q. How can I switch plans?
A. Employees must contact their agency’s personnel or payroll office to change plans. Retirees must contact the Health Benefit Program at 40 Rector St. in Manhattan (212-513-0470).

Q. When is the Medicare Prescription Drug enrollment period?
A. This year’s annual enrollment period to join a Medicare drug plan runs from Nov. 15 to Dec. 31, with all enrollments effective Jan. 1, 2009. Retirees may receive literature, phone calls or meeting invitations from plans offering prescription drug benefits. We urge retirees to read all information carefully and to reach out to the Health Insurance and Pension Unit before joining any other plan that may affect your current drug benefit.

Q. How does my enrollment in a Medicare Drug Plan affect my current prescription drug benefit?
A. If you enroll in an independent drug plan like AARP, or receive a Medicare drug benefit through your enrollment in a Medicare Advantage Plan, like HIP/VIP or Secure Horizons/Oxford, you must use that plan first to receive your drug benefits. Your DC 37 prescription drug benefits will not be available to you until after you have reached the Medicare drug plan’s coverage gap or annual limit.

Q. What is the Notice of Creditable Prescription Drug Coverage?
A. In January 2006, Medicare began offering eligible beneficiaries an option to purchase prescription drug plans. Since the DC 37 Health and Security Plan’s prescription drug benefit offers “creditable coverage” — equal to or better than the standard Medicare drug plan — DC 37 Medicare-eligible employees and retirees do not need to join a Medicare drug plan. Each year by Nov. 15 the union plan sends you a notice of creditable coverage. This notice contains important information about how enrollment in a Medicare drug plan will affect your current prescription benefits. It should be kept with all your benefit information.