Why is there a change?

Medicare Cost plans, where carriers pay health care providers for the cost of each specific service they provide, may no longer be offered in counties where there is competition from qualifying Medicare Advantage plans, which is a different type of payment arrangement between carriers and providers.

This means that in most counties in Minnesota, Medicare Cost plans will be going away beginning January 1, 2019, the effective date of the federal law.

Will I be affected?

Most retirees with SEGIP coverage will not be affected. However, SEGIP currently offers a HealthPartners retiree health plan that is a Medicare Cost plan, meaning those members will see a change. Retirees currently enrolled in the HealthPartners Freedom Plan will be automatically be transitioned to the new HealthPartners Retiree National Choice Plan in 2019, unless you switch carriers during Open Enrollment. No action is required on your part if you wish to remain with HealthPartners.

Retirees enrolled in plans through Blue Cross and Blue Shield of MN (BCBSMN) and UCare will not be affected.

What will be changing?

The good news is that the changes to the HealthPartners retiree plan offering will be minimal. All providers previously available through the Freedom Plan will also be available through the new Retiree National Choice Plan.

In addition, the new Retiree National Choice Plan will offer a nationwide network not restricted to a travel benefit, previously only available to retirees through the BCBSMN Coordinated Plan.

There will be small modifications to the benefit design; for example, a $15 copayment for office visits instead of $10.

All three SEGIP retiree plans will see modest increases to premium rates for 2019. These rates will be available on the SEGIP website in October.

How can I make changes to my retiree coverage?

Retirees have an annual opportunity to change carriers (choose between BCBSMN, HealthPartners, and UCare). This year’s Open Enrollment, for coverage in 2019, will take place from November 1 through November 15, 2018. More information will be available on the SEGIP website beginning in October.

Where can I find more information right now?

Please contact a SEGIP retirement specialist at 651-355-0100.