AlaskaCare Retiree Health News | Monthly e-newsletter

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Volume 73| October 2024

IN THIS EDITION:

 

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Open Enrollment is Happening

Open Enrollment for the Retiree Dental-Vision-Audio (DVA) plan is happening now and closes on November 27, 2024. Retiree DVA plan members - 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, 2025. Visit AlaskaCare.gov/DVA to participate in DVA Open Enrollment.

You can review the following documents to compare benefits:

If you have questions about your AlaskaCare Health Plan, please contact the AlaskaCare Member Education Center toll-free at (800) 821-2251, in Juneau at (907) 465-4460, or by email at doa.drb.benefits @ alaska.gov.

 

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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 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.

How to Set Up Your IRMAA Reimbursement with Optum Rx:

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.

 

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Medicare Open Enrollment

Medicare's Open Enrollment Period is happening! Visit Medicare.gov now through December 7 to compare all your coverage options.

Alaska statute requires the AlaskaCare retiree plan become supplemental to Medicare when members turn 65. AlaskaCare will begin processing member’s health claims as if they have Medicare Part A & B on the first day of the month when they turn 65. All members should schedule an appointment with Social Security to apply for Medicare Part A & B within the three months prior to their 65th birthday.

Part A (Hospital Insurance): Helps cover inpatient care in hospitals, skilled nursing facility care, hospice care, and home health care.

Most people are eligible for premium-free Part A. After members apply for Medicare Part A & B, they will receive a decision letter from Social Security notifying them if they qualify for premium-free Part A. Members who do not qualify for premium-free Medicare Part A, should not enroll in Part A, they must provide a copy of the Social Security letter to the AlaskaCare health claims administrator and the Division of Retirement & Benefits, and AlaskaCare will continue to pay as your primary plan for Part A services.

Part B (Medical Insurance): Helps cover physician and other outpatient medical services, ambulatory surgery center services, medical equipment, and ambulance services. Everyone is eligible for and must pay a premium for Part B, whether or not you are eligible for Part A.

Part D (Drug coverage): Helps cover the cost of prescription drugs. Medicare-eligible retirees and/or dependents will be automatically enrolled in the AlaskaCare enhanced Employer Group Waiver Program (EGWP). The AlaskaCare enhanced EGWP is a group Medicare prescription drug plan that provides the same prescription benefits as provided to non-Medicare eligible retirees and dependents, while maximizing federal subsidies.

You do not need to enroll into an individual Medicare Part D plan, and for most members there is no additional premium for prescription drug coverage under AlaskaCare.

However, certain high wage earners will be charged an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) surcharge for prescription drug coverage. Visit the IRMAA section on this webpage for more information.

 

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Oral Health Tips for Adults
Adults can develop oral health problems throughout their lifetime. Oral health problems can include cavitiesgum diseasetooth loss, and oral cancer. People with chronic disease, such as arthritis, diabetes, or heart disease may have an increased risk of having missing teeth and poor oral health. Oral health problems also increase with age because of problems with saliva production, receding gums, and difficulties flossing and brushing due to poor vision, cognitive problems, chronic disease, and physical limitations.

To maintain a healthy mouth and strong teeth:

  • Don't use tobacco products. If you smoke, quit. The more you smoke or come into contact with smoke, the higher your risk of developing cancer.
  • Drink less alcohol. The more alcohol you drink, the higher your risk of head and neck cancer. If you drink, do so in moderation to lower your risk.
  • Manage your diabetes. If you have diabetes, you may need to get your teeth cleaned multiple times a year, which may help lower your blood sugar level. Managing your diabetes will also lower your risk of other oral health complications, including gum disease.
  • Prevent dry mouth. If your medication makes your mouth feel dry, ask your doctor for a different medication that may not cause this condition. If this doesn't help, drink plenty of water, chew sugarless gum, don't smoke or use tobacco products, and don't drink alcohol.
  • Act on any new symptoms. Talk to your doctor or dentist if you have sudden changes in taste and smell.

Daily care

  • Avoid food and drinks with added sugar as much as possible. They contribute to oral diseases and other chronic diseases.
  • Brush your teeth with fluoride toothpaste.
  • Practice good oral hygiene. Brush your teeth well twice a day and floss between your teeth to remove dental plaque.

Yearly care

  • Visit your dentist at least once a year, even if you wear dentures and have lost some or all of your teeth. Your dentist will check your mouth for cancers, oral health problems, and cavities.

Tips for Older Adults

  • Ask your dentist for other ideas, prescriptions, or supplies to help you brush or floss to prevent cavities.
  • Clean dentures daily. Wearing dentures could put you at risk for fungal infections in your mouth. If you can, remove your dentures all night and clean them daily.
  • If you have a caregiver, they can help you brush and floss if you struggle to do this well by yourself.


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 Defined Benefits AlaskaCare Retiree Health Plans. Town hall events typically 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 the AlaskaCare team 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: Wellcove 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