AlaskaCare Retiree Health News | Monthly e-newsletter | October 2020
Alaska Department of Administration sent this bulletin at 10/14/2020 02:58 PM AKDTHaving trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.
AlaskaCare Retiree Health News
| Volume 29| October 2020 |
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In response to the COVID-19 national public health emergency declared on January 31, 2020 and the State of Alaska public health disaster emergency declared on March 11, 2020 by Governor Mike Dunleavy, the Division of Retirement and Benefits has implemented temporary plan changes and suspensions in the AlaskaCare health plans. Learn how your health plan is supporting you. |
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Dental, Vision, and Audio Open Enrollment
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Open Enrollment for the AlaskaCare Retiree Dental, Vision, and Audio (DVA) plans opens on October 20 and runs through November 25, 2020. This is your opportunity to review your DVA coverage options and make benefit elections for you and your family for the next plan year, which begins on January 1, 2021. This does not apply to or impact your medical benefits. If you do not participate in Open Enrollment, your benefit elections will not change from what you have now. You can make changes to your benefit elections online at AlaskaCare.gov/DVA during the Open Enrollment period, beginning October 20, 2020 and ending November 25, 2020. The plan options and monthly premiums are the same as they were last year. You can review the 2021 Benefit Comparison Guide and 2021 Enrollment Guide containing monthly premium information and coverage comparisons online: You can make changes to your benefit elections online at AlaskaCare.gov/DVA during the Open Enrollment period, beginning October 20, 2020 and ending November 25, 2020. If you are not a current Retiree DVA plan member, you are not eligible to participate in Open Enrollment. Need more information?
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Mask-Up, Lather-Up, and Sleeve-Up
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This fall and winter, the flu and COVID-19 both may spread. Wearing a mask, washing hands often, and getting a flu vaccine are three simple actions that everyone, especially people at higher risk of developing serious flu complications, should take to help reduce the spread of flu and help save medical resources needed to care for people with COVID-19. Keep yourself healthy and protect the health of people around you, be sure to get your flu shot. You Can Take Action to Protect Against the Flu Together we can prevent the spread of the flu and other respiratory illnesses:
When Should I Get a Flu Shot? Does the AlaskaCare Retiree Plan Cover Flu Shots? During the COVID-19 public health emergency:
Can I Have the Flu and COVID-19 at the Same Time? The CDC's comprehensive website with information on influenza transmission, symptoms, prevention, treatment and more can be found here. * The preceding temporary administrative changes are prospective in nature and shall remain in effect until earlier of the date of: 1) the termination of the suspensions contained in the applicable COVID-19 Disaster Order of Suspension; 2) the termination of the Declaration of Public Health Disaster Emergency issued by Governor Mike Dunleavy; or 3) the national public health emergency is terminated by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; including any extensions or amendments thereof. The temporary administrative changes listed above are in response to a State of Alaska and federally recognized health emergency and do not provide a vested right to coverage for any individual. The Division of Retirement and Benefits retains the sole discretion to rescind or modify these temporary administrative changes depending on the circumstances. |
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EGWP Enrollees: IRMAA Submission Reminder
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Certain high-income retirees who are Medicare eligible and enrolled in the AlaskaCare enhanced Employer Group Waiver Program (EGWP) pharmacy plan are required to pay a premium surcharge associated with Medicare Part D plans, known as an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, or IRMAA. This is required by Medicare and is the same type of surcharge that high-income enrollees already pay for a Medicare Part B plan. If you are an individual earning more than $87,000 per year or a married couple who earns more than $174,000 per year, you will be required to pay the IRMAA; retirees enrolled in EGWP and whose household income is below this threshold will not be subject to the IRMAA premium surcharge. If you are required to pay the IRMAA premium surcharge, the Division will reimburse you for the amount you are charged each month through a tax-advantaged health reimbursement arrangement (HRA) account, so the EGWP plan has no additional cost to you! We have exciting news regarding the IRMAA reimbursement process coming in 2021. The Division of Retirement and Benefits have partnered with OptumRx and Optum Bank to create a more efficient way for members to receive reimbursement for the Part D IRMAA surcharge. Each November, Medicare eligible individuals receive a letter from Social Security that outlines your Medicare premiums for the next year, and you will be submitting this letter to Optum for 2021. Stay tuned for more information on how to submit your IRMAA for 2021 reimbursements. If you have not been paid for your 2020 IRMAA please email the Division at doa.drb.irmaa@alaska.gov or contact PayFlex at (800) 821-2251. For steps on completing your 2020 IRMAA reimbursement until 12/31/2020, please visit our IRMAA webpage or contact the division. The deadline to receive reimbursement for the 2020 Part D IRMAA is 3/31/2021. If documents are received after 12/15/2020, your 2020 reimbursement will be established with Optum. |
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Join Us for a Town Hall Event on DVA Open Enrollment
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Town Hall Events are group calls hosted by the Alaska Department of Administration, Division of Retirement and Benefits for all interested AlaskaCare retirees and families to ask questions about the AlaskaCare health plans. You can join the call to learn more about your health plan and ask Division staff any questions you have about your benefits. This format gives retirees a chance to connect directly with Division staff to hear the latest news on all things AlaskaCare, raise questions, share comments, and learn more about the health plans. Pre-register now online. We want to hear from you! The next Town Hall Events will be on:
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As an employee of the State of Alaska, your input is valued and important. Below, please see a list of ways to contact us with your feedback. Also, a full list of AlaskaCare health plan and partner contact information can be found on our website.
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