AlaskaCare Retiree Health News | Monthly e-newsletter

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Volume 64| December 2023
IN THIS EDITION:

 

 
 

Lifetime Maximum Graphic

*New for 2024*
Lifetime Maximum Benefit Increase

The lifetime maximum insurance benefit is the maximum dollar amount that the plan will pay out during a member’s lifetime for healthcare services. The AlaskaCare Defined Benefit Retiree health plan currently contains a $2 million lifetime maximum. We are happy to announce this is about to change! 

The lifetime maximum benefit limit in the AlaskaCare Defined Benefit Retiree health plan will be increased to $8 million effective January 1, 2024. 

In addition, the annual reinstatement of benefits provision related to the lifetime maximum will be removed to eliminate the complication it causes members around minimum essential coverage provisions limiting their ability to qualify for other forms of insurance.

A higher lifetime maximum limit helps members retain access to health insurance during a catastrophic health event and would provide financial relief for members who have met or are approaching the current lifetime limit.

 

New Year Image

Creating the Path to Wellness: Setting SMART Goals

The new year is coming soon!  Changing our calendars is a good time to make changes in our lifestyle to become healthier.  Instead of setting a large “New Year’s Resolution” that has already been forgotten by February, start by making a few small changes that you can stick to and will last throughout the whole year. 

Remember to keep your goals SMART:

S - Specific – Instead of saying “I will eat healthier”, you can say “I will eat at least one more fruit or vegetable each day”.  When you are specific, you know when you have reached your goal or what you need to improve.

M - Measurable – Being able to measure your goal will keep you on track.  Instead of saying “I will exercise more” you can say “I will walk with my dog 3 days of the week for at least 15 minutes”. 

A - Achievable – Create goals that will keep you motivated.  For example, “I will try to get to bed at the same time 2 nights a week”, instead of “every night”. It is better to set a simple goal and achieve it faster than to set it too high and feel down on yourself for not meeting your goal.

R - Relevant – Take a look at the big picture of your life to see what changes would be most beneficial and fall in line with your values. You want goals that will add benefit to your life, not cause extra stress and conflict.

T – Time bound – Having a specific timeframe on your goal will keep you focused. Try out a goal “I will commit to one month of making this change.” At the end of the month, you can keep on with this goal or choose a new one that works with you. Also, when you meet your goal, you can celebrate your hard work!

Other tips for success:

  • Find a buddy to help you stay on track. Making changes can be hard but it is more fun, and you are more likely to stick with it if you are working on something together. Knowing you will be sharing your progress with another person also helps you remember to keep trying.
  • Think about some problems you might run into. Knowing how you can get past these challenges will keep you motivated to keep going rather than getting discouraged and quitting.
  • Write down reasons why you are making your goals. If your goal was walking and it is the end of the day and you are tired, reading through your reasons can help give you the motivation to keep going.
  • Keep a record of your efforts and achievements to see how you have taken care of yourself. Remember, progress is progress no matter how small.
  • It’s ok to take a break. Sometimes life happens and our healthy goals get put on the back burner. Instead of being hard on yourself, just pick back up when you can and keep going.

For more information about healthy changes, check out these websites:

 

Reimbursement Image

Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) Reimbursement

The new year is around the corner, and it is almost time to review your account and submit your 2024 Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) reimbursement request!

Reminder: What is an IRMAA? Certain high-income retirees are required to pay an extra premium surcharge, known as an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, or IRMAA. This is similar to the surcharge for high-income enrollees in the Medicare Part B plan. If you are an individual or a married couple earning more than the threshold, you will be required to pay an extra surcharge for being enrolled in the AlaskaCare Employer Group Waiver Program (EGWP) because it is a group Medicare Part D plan. Retirees whose household income is below this threshold will not be subject to the IRMAA premium surcharge.

What do you need to know?

  • You need to set up your HRA account every year, since IRMAA surcharges are based on your annual income and your income may change from year to year.
  • If you are not assessed Part D IRMAA surcharge this does not apply to you.
  • To receive the reimbursement, you should submit your claim and letter as soon as possible, but no later than 12 months after the last day of the current year. For example: The deadline for submitting your 2023 IRMAA for reimbursement is December 31, 2024.

How do I know if I have to pay a Part D IRMAA surcharge in 2024?

Each year, if you are Medicare-eligible, you will be notified by the Social Security Administration about your plan. This includes if you are required to pay an IRMAA and at what amount. The Social Security Administration uses your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) to determine if the IRMAA applies to you and, if so, how much you will have to pay. MAGI is the sum of:

  • Adjusted Gross Income (AGI), which can be found on the last line of your IRS 1040 tax form (line 37 on form 1040, line 21 on form 1040A, or line 4 on form 1040EZ), plus
  • Any tax-exempt interest income (line 8b on form 1040).

The Social Security Administration requests income information from the IRS for the tax year that is two years prior to the surcharge year. IRMAA is automatically re-determined each year as long as you file an income tax return.

The below table shows the IRMAA for 2024. The MAGI and IRMAA is subject to change from year to year. Please review the table below to see if your income qualifies you to be assessed an IRMAA surcharge based on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from the 2022 tax year.

 

2024 PART D IRMAA AMOUNTS
If your filing status and yearly income in 2022 was...
File individual tax return File joint tax return File married & separate tax return You pay each month (in 2024)
Less than or equal to $103,000 Less than or equal to $206,000 Less than or equal to $103,000 Not assessed a surcharge
Greater than $103,000 and less than or equal to $129,000 Greater than $206,000 and less than or equal to $258,000 Not applicable $12.90
Greater than $129,000 and less than or equal to $161,000 Greater than $258,000 and less than or equal to $322,000 Not applicable $33.30
Greater than $161,000 and less than or equal to $193,000 Greater than $322,000 and less than or equal to $386,000 Not applicable $53.80
Greater than $193,000 and less than $500,000 Greater than $386,000 and less than $750,000 Greater than $103,000 and less than or equal to $397,000 $74.20
Greater than $500,000 or above Greater than $750,000 or above Greater than $397,000 or above $81.00

 

How to Set Up Your IRMAA Reimbursement with OptumRx:

Once you have your letter from Social Security or a Medicare Bill that shows your 2024 Part D IRMAA surcharge, you can submit your reimbursement request by following the instructions below. You may submit your documents early to OptumRx if you have them available, but claims received prior to January will not be processed until the start of the new year.

Follow these steps to establish your 2024 IRMAA HRA account online:

  1. Register and/or log in to your Optum Rx.com  account either online or through the mobile app.
  2. Navigate to the AlaskaCare IRMAA Reimbursement Form by taking the following steps:
      - On the top of the main page, click the "Information Center" tab.
      - Click "Programs and Forms".
      - Click on the "AlaskaCare IRMAA Reimbursement" section. There you will find the digital enrollment form as well as the paper version.
  3. To submit your reimbursement request digitally (the faster method), click and submit the IRMAA HRA Digital Enrollment Form.
  4. Upload as an attachment, a copy or image of your letter from Social Security or a Medicare Bill that shows what your Part D IRMAA surcharge is.
  5. Optum Rx will confirm your eligibility and set up your Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) with Optum Bank within 5 to 7 business days of receipt.
  6. Once your HRA has been set up with Optum Bank, they will send you a Welcome Packet within 5 to 7 business days, which will include information on signing up for Direct Deposit.
      - If you currently have Direct Deposit set up with Optum Bank, that information does not need to be submitted again.
  7. Once you receive your Welcome Packet, log in to OptumBank.com  to view your HRA account status/balance or to sign up for Direct Deposit.

If you have any questions on how to submit your documents online or if you do not have internet access and would like to submit paper documentation, please contact OptumRx at (855) 409-6999.

 

AKCare Plan booklet graphic

2024 AlaskaCare Retiree Health Plan Booklets

Plan Booklets are available for all members of the AlaskaCare health plans, they are designed to help you understand your plan and the benefits it provides. Your plan booklet includes a benefit summary and information about plan coverage, how benefits are paid, travel coverage, precertification, what expenses are covered, and more.

For your convenience, the Plan Booklets are available on the AlaskaCare website. You can view the booklets online or download them to your computer.

Important Information graphic

Medicare Part D Plan Change for Federal Employee Retirement Health Plan Members

Information for AlaskaCare members also enrolled in a Federal Employee Retirement Health Plan.

The Federal Employee Health Benefits Program (FEHBP), covering Federal retirees and their dependents recently added a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan for their members. All FEHBP members eligible for the newly added program were automatically enrolled and were notified by mail. Federal regulations prohibit a person from being enrolled in more than one Medicare Part D program so any member who was moved to the FEHBP plan also received a letter from OptumRX, informing them that they had been disenrolled from AlaskaCare’s Medicare Part D plan. If you received such a letter, and are being affected by this change, please continue to read below, and learn what your options are.

  • If you decide that you want to be in the FEHBP Medicare Part D plan, no action is needed. Your coverage under the FEHBP Medicare Part D program will begin January 1, 2024, and you should receive a Welcome Packet from the Federal plan.
  • If you decide you want to be in the AlaskaCare Medicare Part D plan,

We hope you find this information helpful. If we can provide you with any additional assistance, please don’t hesitate to contact OptumRX at (855) 409-6999, or the Alaska Division of Retirement and Benefits at (907) 465-3086 or (800) 821-2251.

 



Subscribe to the Monthly Retiree Health Plan Newsletter

Retiree newsletters are sent electronically to Health Plan members that have subscribed to receive updates. Each month we feature an article that helps you Get to Know your Benefits, provides you with updates about the Health Plan, and information about health events and resources. You can subscribe or unsubscribe at any time by managing your preferences here

 


We Want to Hear From You!
Retiree Town Hall Events

town hall

 

Retiree 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. Town hall events occur on the third Thursday of each month, and you are welcome to join us.

You can pre-register now online to 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.

Upcoming Town Hall Events:


We Value Your Feedback!

feedback

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.

AlaskaCare – Plan Administrator

  • Toll-Free: (800) 821-2251

  • In Juneau: (907) 465-4460

  • TDD: (907) 465-2805

  • Fax: (907) 465-3086

  • Email: doa.drb.mscc@alaska.gov

 

Physical Address:

State Office Building
6th Floor
333 Willoughby Avenue
Juneau, AK 99801 

Mailing Address:

State of Alaska
Division of Retirement and Benefits
P.O. Box 110203
Juneau, AK 99811-0203

 

Health Benefit Contact Information

Division of Retirement and Benefits
Member Education Center: (907) 465-4460
Toll-Free: (800) 821-2251

Medical Benefits: Aetna
Member Services: (855) 784-8646

Long-Term Care Benefits: CHCS Services, Inc.
Member Services: (888) 287-7116

Dental Benefits: Moda/Delta Dental
Member Services: (855) 718-1768

Pharmacy Benefits: Optum Rx
Member Services: (855) 409-6999