Retiree engagement

We want to know what retirees like about the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) Medicare medical plans and what could be better. The insights our members provide will help HCA and the PEB Board shape future policy discussions as well as how we communicate important information about changes. From cost to coverage, your voice can make a difference. 

Making UMP Classic Medicare more affordable

PEBB retirees have expressed the importance of preserving UMP Classic Medicare as a plan option for PEBB Medicare retirees. They also shared concerns that the premium is becoming too expensive. In response, HCA is exploring ways to make the plan more affordable.

In February 2024, HCA hosted five town hall meetings to hear from members about their thoughts on transitioning UMP Classic Medicare's current prescription drug coverage to a Medicare Part D plan as described in this video presentation.

HCA staff will present an option to the PEB Board in March 2024 to help reduce UMP Classic Medicare's premiums by transitioning its prescription drug coverage to a Medicare Part D plan. The PEB Board is scheduled to vote on the option in April. If the Board does not act by April, UMP Classic Medicare enrollees are likely to experience premium increases in 2025 similar to those occurring in the past two years.

Timeline

  • March 21: PEB Board meeting. A summary of town hall feedback presented to the Board.
  • April 11: PEB Board meeting. The Board votes on the option.
  • April to November: If the option is passed by the Board, HCA will prepare for implementation.
  • Open enrollment, fall 2024: Members are able to change to plan the plan option. More information will be available before open enrollment.
  • January 1, 2025: Plan option goes live.

PEB Board meetings are open to the public.

How feedback will be used

We will use feedback we receive to:

  • Report to the PEB Board to help guide future benefit designs and proposals.
  • Inform HCA and the plans on how we can better serve our members.

Actions HCA has taken

FAQs

See the UMP Classic Medicare Part D fact sheet.

Have a question not listed below? Email UMP Questions.

Is UMP Classic Medicare closing?

No, this plan is not closing. There was discussion of closing the plan at a PEB Board meeting during the summer of 2022, but the proposal was not supported by the Board. Read more about UMP Classic Medicare.

Will UMP Classic Medicare be available with either the current prescription drug coverage or with the Medicare Part D option?

No, the Part D option would replace current prescription drug coverage and it would be embedded in UMP Classic Medicare.

Is the UMP Classic Medicare Part D option very different from the current prescription drug coverage?

No. The changes would be very minimal and mostly positive – that is, reduced costs, more coverage, and fewer requirements.

  • There would be a change from Basaglar to Lantus, but Lantus uses the same drug, dosage, and delivery system, so the impact on members should be minimal.
  • The pharmacy network for the Part D option would also be very similar to the current pharmacy network for UMP Classic Medicare, including Costco and Postal Prescription Services (PPS) for mail order.
I currently pay an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA) directly to CMS for my Medicare Part B premium. Will I have IRMAA on the Part D option?

Yes. Although you won't be paying your Part D premium separately, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) will assess an IRMAA on the amount of your UMP Classic Medicare premium that is attributable to the Part D coverage.

You will receive a bill for the IRMAA directly from CMS and you will pay that directly to CMS.

If I enroll in a PEBB Medicare Advantage plan, can I enroll in a different PEBB plan later?

Yes. You can change to any PEBB Medicare plan for which you are eligible during the annual open enrollment period.

You can also change your medical plan during a special open enrollment if you have a qualifying life event such as getting married or moving out of a plan’s coverage area.

I'm a Medicare retiree. Where can I find a comparison of PEBB plans available to me?

View the PEBB Medicare Benefits Comparison and Dental Benefits Comparison to compare coverage by plans side-by-side.

You can find the month premiums in the Retiree monthly premiums.

Medicare myths

Myth: If I sign up for a Medicare Advantage plan through the PEBB Program and I want to go back to Original Medicare, I will be subject to pre-existing conditions or underwriting limits.

Fact: If you are enrolled in the PEBB Program, you can switch from any Medicare plan (Original Medicare, Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug, or Medicare Supplement) to any other PEBB Medicare plan for which you are eligible.

Original Medicare

  • UMP Classic Medicare
  • Kaiser Permanente WA Original Medicare

Medicare Advantage

  • Kaiser Permanente NW Senior Advantage
  • Kaiser Permanente WA Medicare Advantage

Medicare Advantage Prescription Drug (MAPD)

  • UnitedHealthcare PEBB Balance
  • UnitedHealthcare PEBB Complete

Medicare Supplement

  • Premera Plan G
Myth: I've been in my plan for years, so I don't have to pay attention to what PEBB offers.

Fact: Every year the PEBB Program works with the carriers to update plan benefits and premiums. It's a good idea to check and see if there are any changes. In fact, there may be new plan offerings since you first enrolled that you may not be aware of.

Myth: My brother has a Medicare Advantage plan with a $0 premium. That's a much better deal than anything I could get through the PEBB Program.

Fact: While there may be plans on the commercial market that have a $0 premium, those plans come with limitations and designs that are less desirable than the PEBB plans.

For example, the commercial plan might be with a limited network (known as an HMO) that prevents you from seeing doctors outside the network. The maximum limit on what you might have to spend out-of-pocket might be very high with a commercial plan.

When comparing plans, it is important to consider costs such as copays and deductibles in addition to the premium. Compare PEBB Medicare plans and view retiree monthly premiums.

Myth: All Medicare Advantage plans are the same.

Fact: Medicare Advantage plans offered by PEBB are Employer Group Medicare Advantage plans. These are different from commercial (individual) plans.

PEBB plans can offer lower premiums and better benefits, troubleshooting through the PEBB Program, and expanded prescription drug coverage.

Contact

The PEBB Program
For questions about eligibility, enrollment, and premiums.
Send a secure message
Phone: 1-800-200-1004, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
TRS: 711

The plans
For questions about plan-specific benefits and providers.