FAQs

The Health Options Program offers two Medicare Supplement plans—the HOP Medical Plan and the Value Medical Plan. These plans are sometimes called Medigap policies. They pay all or part of the deductibles and/or coinsurance you would have to pay if you had just Original Medicare.

We also offer Medicare Advantage plans which are provided by Highmark, Aetna, Capital BlueCross, Independence Blue Cross or UPMC. These plans are also known as a Medicare Part C plans and they replace Original Medicare entirely.

No. If you are enrolled in the Value Medical Plan you do not have access to SilverSneakers.

Yes. The Health Options Program prescription drug coverage options offered to Medicare-eligible individuals are Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage.

The Pennsylvania Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) sponsors the Health Options Program for the sole benefit of PSERS retirees, their spouses or surviving spouses, and their dependents. The Program is voluntary, and each retiree must decide whether or not to participate. It is funded exclusively by the premiums paid by its participants for the benefit coverage they elect. Private health care insurers and providers provide the medical coverage and services available through the Health Options Program.

Choosing health care coverage is a personal decision. When weighing your Options, consider the monthly premium amount, what you will have to pay out of pocket (deductibles, copays, and coinsurance amounts), level of prescription drug coverage provided, and flexibility to choose your provider.

Your monthly premium for coverage will be deducted automatically from your monthly pension from PSERS—unless your pension benefit is insufficient to cover the premium.

In such a case, you can pay your bill online or by check.

• Online for registered users:  Registered users can access their account by clicking the link at the top of the page and logging in through Luminare Health portal. From your dashboard, click the “Pay My Bill” link to access your payment portal account.
• Online other: If you are not registered,  you can make a one-time payment at www.invoicecloud.com/PSERSIL
• By check: You will receive a coupon book prior to your coverage effective date. Use this to make a direct payment to the Health Options Program each month. Mail the monthly coupon and your check to the Health Options Program, P.O. Box 64979, Baltimore, MD, 21264-4979 by the 25th of the prior month.

For support or assistance, please call the HOP Administration Unit 1-800-773-7725.

If you have coverage in one of the Medicare Supplement Plans, i.e., the HOP Pre-65 Medical Plan, HOP Medical Plan, Value Medical Plan or one of the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Options, there is no effect. You have the freedom of choice to see any provider you want. The pharmacy network is nationwide. If you are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage/managed care plan, you will have to consult their specific rules as there may be some limitations.

Yes. The HOP Medical Plan, the Value Medical Plan, the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan Options and the HOP Pre-65 Medical Plan provide coverage and benefits in all 50 states. The Medicare Advantage Plans and pre-65 Managed Care Plans are offered across the country as well. See the Managed Care Plans for Medicare-Eligible and Non-Medicare-Eligible Members regional brochures on the Resources page to learn about which Medicare Advantage/managed care plans are are available where you live, the benefits they offer and their rates.

The Health Options Program anticipates offering these same Options next year, but cannot guarantee they will be available.

Available options differ depending on where you live. Use the Coverage and Premium Lookup Tool to find information about coverage options in your area.

If you are eligible for Medicare and enrolled in the HOP Medical Plan, you’re covered anywhere in the United States and abroad when you are traveling.

The Value Medical Plan coverage for services provided abroad is limited to those covered by Medicare. Covered expenses are subject to the Major Medical Deductible and copay amounts.

If you are not eligible for Medicare and enrolled in the HOP Pre-65 Medical Plan, you can also receive reimbursement for out-of-country medical expenses.

If you are enrolled in a managed care plan, you will have to consult their specific rules.

Health Options Program medical plans are designed for PSERS members. Members of the Public School Employees’ Retirement System in Pennyslvania who are already enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B are eligible to join the Health Options Program. Health Options Program members and their dependents can enroll in a Health Options Program medical plan.

Yes.

Yes. Your surviving spouse is eligible to continue coverage through the Health Options Program, provided timely premium payments are received.

If you are not currently participating in the Health Options Program, turning age 65 is considered a Qualifying Event and gives you the right to enroll in the Program.

If you are currently enrolled in the Program, you will have some additional prescription drug coverage options available to you.

In either case, you will receive an invitation to a meeting before your 65th birthday where Health Options Program representatives will explain the options available to you. You will also recieve a personalized statement showing your options and explaining what you need to do if you want to enroll or change your option.

If you or your dependent(s) are not currently enrolled in the Health Options Program, your next opportunity to enroll would be if you experience a Qualifying Event, which include:

• You retire or lose health care coverage under your school employer’s health plan. Coverage under your school employer’s health plan includes any COBRA continuation coverage you may elect under that school employer’s plan.
• You involuntarily lose health care coverage under a non-school employer’s health plan (which includes any COBRA continuation coverage you may elect under that non-school employer’s health plan).
• You or your spouse reach age 65 or become eligible for Medicare.
• There is a change in your family status including divorce, the death of a spouse, addition of a dependent through birth, adoption, or marriage, or a dependent loses eligibility. (The death of a retiree is not a Qualifying Event unless the spouse or dependent will receive a pension from PSERS following the retiree’s death.)
• You become eligible for Premium Assistance due to a change in legislation.
• A plan approved for Premium Assistance terminates or you move out of a plan’s service area.

You have the freedom to use virtually any health care provider (doctor or hospital) you want as long as the doctor or hospital accepts Medicare.

The Value Medical Plan is for retirees who want a low monthly premium and are willing to pay more out of pocket when obtaining services. It is designed to provide financial protection in the event of unexpected high-cost hospital and medical expenses.

With the Value Medical Plan, you pay a lower monthly premium. However, with the Value Medical Plan, you must first pay a deductible before the Plan pays benefits. You can compare the two plans’ benefits by visiting the Coverage Lookup Tool and clicking on the “Compare Plans” button on the Results page.

HMO rates are based on the community’s experience and the Health Care Financing Administration’s (HCFA) reimbursement rate that is calculated for each county. HMOs make the final decision on the rates they charge. Where possible, the Health Options Program offers more than one HMO in an area to foster competition.

HMOs market different/lesser benefit plans to individuals than the group plan offered through the Health Options Program. In many instances this difference is in prescription drug coverage with individual plans offering little or no coverage.

No. If you sign up for the HOP Medical Plan or the Value Medical Plan, you may use the licensed provider or facility of your choice. There are no restrictions on where or when you receive care.

Yes. You may elect the HOP Medical Plan or the Value Medical Plan on a standalone basis. If you do this, you may elect prescription drug coverage from another provider.

Once an HMO is approved to participate in the Health Options Program, the HMO selects the plan they want to market to PSERS retirees and their dependents within guidelines set by PSERS. We encourage HMOs to offer a plan that matches up with the Medicare Supplement plans.

An HMO takes several factors into consideration when deciding to offer benefits in a particular geographic area:

1. For a Medicare risk HMO, a primary consideration is the Medicare reimbursement rate that varies by county.
2. Another factor is the local provider community. An HMO must determine if they can build a viable network based upon the providers’ willingness to participate with the HMO.
3. Finally, an HMO must obtain approval from state and federal regulators to provide HMO benefits.

If you are eligible for the Low Income Subsidy and participate in the Enhanced, Basic or Value Medicare Rx Plan Option, your billable monthly premium for 2024 are as follows:

• Enhanced Medicare Rx Plan Option: $91 billable monthly premium
• Basic Medicare Rx Plan Option: $32 billable monthly premium
• Value Medicare Rx Plan Option: $0 billable monthly premium

These premiums apply regardless of whether you qualify for LIS payments at the 25%, 50%, 75% or 100% level.

There is extra help for people with lower income and assets who are enrolled in Part D. Depending on the level of need, premiums, deductibles, coinsurance, and/or copayment amounts may be reduced or eliminated.

Eligibility for extra help depends on your income (money you receive from retirement benefits or other money that you report for income tax purposes) and, in some cases, your assets (for example, property other than your residence). If you have both Medicare and Medicaid, you automatically qualify for this extra help. If you do not have Medicaid, you may still qualify for some assistance if your income and other assets are below certain levels.

In certain cases, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) systems do not reflect a beneficiary’s correct low-income subsidy status. To address this issue, CMS created the best available evidence (BAE) policy. This policy requires sponsors to establish the appropriate cost-sharing for low-income beneficiaries when presented with evidence that the beneficiary’s information is not accurate. Find more information about the best available evidence policy.

If you think you might qualify for extra help and have not yet been contacted, you can contact the Social Security Administration. A worksheet is also available on their Web site that can help you determine whether you may qualify. Information can be found on the Social Security Web site at www.socialsecurity.gov/prescriptionhelp.

If you have prescription drug coverage through the Health Options Program, you do not need to sign up for other Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage outside of the Program. The Enhanced, Basic and Value Medicare Rx Options are Medicare Part D plans. If you sign up for another Medicare Part D plan, you will automatically lose your prescription drug coverage under the Health Options Program.

No. The federal government will not permit Medicare eligible individuals to enroll in more than one Part D plan.

Yes. You will have an opportunity each fall to change your Option.

If you are eligible for Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage and do not enroll for prescription drug coverage through the Health Options Program, you may be eligible to enroll for coverage under the Program at a later date. However, you may be subject to a penalty in the form of a higher premium rate if you go 63 days or longer without prescription drug coverage that is at least as good as Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (or creditable coverage). The premium increase will be 1% per month for every month after you are eligible for but did not have Medicare coverage. For example, if you go 19 months without coverage, your monthly premium will always be 19% higher than what most other people pay. You will have to pay this higher premium as long as you have Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage.

If you are enrolled in the HOP Medical Plan or the Value Medical Plan and one of the Medicare Rx Options, your premiums will be deducted from your PSERS pension check provided your pension benefit is greater than the premium amount. If your pension benefit is less than the premium amount or you enroll in one of the Medicare Rx Options on a standalone basis, you will be billed for the cost of your coverage. At some point in the future, you may be given the option to have your Part D premium deducted from your Social Security benefit.

Yes.

Creditable prescription drug coverage means that the coverage is at least as good as the standard Medicare drug benefit. If you are in a plan that is considered creditable coverage, you can switch to a Medicare Part D plan at a later date without penalty.

Yes. You can have the HOP Basic Medicare Rx Option or the HOP Enhanced Medicare Rx Option with your TRICARE or VA coverage. Contact the HOP Administration Unit for more information or if you have any questions.

Medicare Part D coverage extends to multiple patient settings. If someone is in a nursing home under skilled nursing care, Medicare Part A will be responsible for the costs of the drugs. Once the level of care in the nursing care facility is no longer at a skilled level, the Medicare Part D coverage takes over. PSERS has an extensive pharmacy network that includes nursing homes and assisted living facilities. If you have a question regarding a specific nursing home, you can contact OptumRx at 1-888-239-1301.

No. The Premium Assistance is a reimbursement for basic hospital, medical and major medical premiums. Accordingly, PSERS cannot pay Premium Assistance for standalone prescription drug coverage. To qualify for the Premium Assistance benefit, you must sign up for the HOP Medical Plan, HOP Medical Plan with Enhanced Medicare Rx Option, HOP Medical Plan with Basic Medicare Rx Option, or a Health Options Program Medicare Advantage/managed care plan.

All three of the Medicare prescription drug plans, provide a level of initial coverage up to a total drug cost of $4,660. Once your total drug costs (what your plan has paid plus your deductible and copays) exceed this amount, Medicare will not cover any more covered expenses in the year until you spend $7,400 out of pocket. This gap in coverage is called the “coverage gap.”

The Enhanced, Basic and Value Medicare Rx Options, provide coverage in the Coverage Gap up to the TrOOP Maximum of $7,400 as follows:

• Enhanced Medicare Rx Option: During the Coverage Gap stage, you’ll pay 25% for generic and brand name drugs. When you reach the $7,400 limit, catastrophic drug coverage kicks in automatically. At that point, for generic drugs, you pay the greater of 5% or $4.15 to a maximum of $100; and for brand name drugs, you pay the greater of 5% or $10.35 to a maximum of $100.
• Basic Rx Option: During the Coverage Gap stage, you’ll pay 25% for generic and brand name drugs. When you reach the $7,400 limit, catastrophic drug coverage kicks in automatically. At that point, for generic drugs, you pay the greater of 5% or $4.15 to a maximum of $250; and for brand name drugs, you pay the greater of 5% or $10.35 to a maximum of $250.
• Value Medicare Rx Option: During the Coverage Gap stage, you’ll pay 25% for generic and brand name drugs. When you reach the $7,400 limit, catastrophic drug coverage kicks in automatically. At that point, for generic drugs, you pay the greater of 5% or $4.15; and for brand name drugs, you pay the greater of 5% or $10.35.

For a side-by-side cost comparison of the Enhanced, Basic and Value Medicare Rx Options, see the 2024 Enrollment Guide for Medicare-Eligible Members brochure.

Please refer to the applicable Annual Notice of Change and Evidence of Coverage for a detailed comparison of the Enhanced, Basic and Value Medicare Rx Options.

No. It’s voluntary. However, if you do not sign up when you are first eligible or do not have other creditable coverage, you may have to pay a premium penalty when you sign up later.

Yes. There are differences in premiums and deductibles, covered drugs, copays, and participating pharmacies. The costs for plans vary. Carefully compare plans in your area.

You may be subject to a penalty in the form of a higher premium rate if you go 63 days or longer without prescription drug coverage that is at least as good as standard Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage (or creditable coverage). The premium increase will be 1% per month for every month after you are eligible for but did not have Medicare coverage. You will have to pay this higher premium as long as you have Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage.

Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage is available to anyone with Medicare (including individuals eligible for Medicare due to being age 65 or older or due to disability or end-stage renal disease). No physical exams are required. Nobody can be denied for health reasons.

Yes. All of the Health Options Program plan options offer a mail-order prescription drug program, which provide up to a 90-day supply of your medication. Some retail pharmacies also offer a 90-day supply. Please note: a pharmacy must have an agreement with OptumRx regarding dispensing a 90-day supply before your 90-day prescription can be filled.

The Health Options Program does not cover drugs bought from Canada or other countries.

You should talk with your provider to determine if the non-formulary drug you are taking can be replaced with a formulary drug. If your provider determines that there is not a formulary drug that can be substituted, your provider must call OptumRx at 1-888-239-1301 to request an exception.

Under the Enhanced and Basic Medicare Rx Options, you pay no deductibles for prescription drugs, just a copay or coinsurance, depending on the type of drug (generic, brand-name with or without a generic equivalent, or a Specialty drug). Under the Value Medicare Rx Option, you will have to pay Medicare’s annual prescription drug deductible before the plan benefits begin.

For a side-by-side benefit comparison of the Medicare Rx Options, see the 2024 Enrollment Guide for Medicare-Eligible Members brochure.

The amount you pay will depend on the type of drug (generic, brand or Specialty) you purchase. To find out how much a particular medication may cost, use the online Part D Formulary Lookup Tool.

For information about prescription drugs covered through the Enhanced, Basic and Value Medicare Rx Options, download the abridged and/or comprehensive formulary. You can also use the online Part D Formulary Lookup Tool.

Under the Health Options Program Medicare prescription drug plans, you have access to pharmacies in every state. For information about participating pharmacies call 1-888-239-1301.

Your state pharmacy assistance program may coordinate with Medicare prescription drug coverage to give you greater savings. Check with your state program or contact your state health insurance counseling program. If you currently get your drugs through Medicaid, you automatically qualify for extra help.

You can still do so and have Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage too—as long as the manufacturer’s program continues this help for people on Medicare. Check with the drug manufacturer company.

Step therapy is a program designed for people who take prescription drugs regularly to treat an ongoing medical condition (for example, arthritis, asthma, or high blood pressure). In step therapy, the covered drugs you take are organized in a series of “steps.” Each step is a different category of drug, such as first-step treatments and second-step treatments.

The program usually starts with requiring coverage for the “first-step drug.” This first step allows you to begin or continue treatment with prescription drugs that are appropriate for you, but more proven than drugs in the “second step.”

If your doctor determines the first-step drug does not work for you, you can receive coverage for a second-step drug.

Present your prescription drug card at the pharmacy (or send the identifying information requested if you’re using mail order). The pharmacist will then be able to electronically access information regarding all prescription drugs obtained after presenting your prescription drug identification card or purchased through the mail service pharmacy. This central data base will indicate what your copay should be.

Your plan’s Drug Quantity Management program is designed to help you get the medicines you need when you need them, in safe, economical amounts, while taking your special needs into account. The program follows guidelines developed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), medical researchers and drug manufacturers. These professionals recommend the maximum quantities considered safe, especially for those drugs where it is difficult to decide on the proper dose. As a result, some drugs have quantity limits.

By making sure you only get the recommended amount of your medications when you request a refill, Drug Quantity Management not only safeguards your health, it also helps you save money. When you request a prescription, you will receive the quantity prescribed by your doctor not to exceed the recommended amount, which should last until it’s time for a refill. If you regularly need refills sooner than recommended, you may be using too much of your medication and should contact your doctor. He or she may be able to suggest ways you can use your medication so you don’t have to refill—and pay for—your prescriptions as often.

Yes. If you receive $1,400 in benefits (from either in- or out-of-network care, combined), you are responsible for paying 100% for any additional care you receive for the rest of the calendar year.

You are covered for certain medical expenses while you are traveling. Please note coverage may be limited and there are specific instructions for filing claims for medical care you receive internationally. Please see your SPD for more information.

The MetLife Dental and EyeMed Vision Option includes international dental and vision travel services. Visit the Dental and Vision Option page to review coverage details.

There is no prescription drug coverage abroad.

Dental services that are not covered under the Plan include cosmetic services, purchases of personal supplies like toothbrushes and floss, orthodontic services or appliances, and more.

Vision services that are not covered under the Plan include services or materials connected with or charges arising from: medical or surgical treatment, services or supplies for the treatment of the eye, eyes, or supporting structures.

Visit the Dental and Vision Option page for more information about services that are not covered.

No. You must be enrolled in either the HOP Medical Plan or the Value Medical Plan (with or without prescription drug coverage) in order to elect the MetLife Dental and EyeMed Vision Option.

Under this option, you’re covered for:

• Preventive, basic and major dental services
• Cleanings, x-rays, maintenance and dentures
• Eye examinations, frames, and prescription lenses or medically necessary contact lenses

Visit the Dental and Vision Option page to see other services that are covered.

The cost of dental and vision coverage is included in your overall medical plan cost when you enroll in a Medicare supplement plan (HOP Medical Plan or Value Medical Plan) with the MetLife Dental and EyeMed Vision Option. To see the monthly premium amount of plans available in your area, visit the Coverage and Premium Lookup Tool.

You can visit any dentist you choose, but keep in mind that you pay less when you visit dental providers in the MetLife network. Providers who participate in the MetLife network agree to discounted rates. When visiting an in-network dental provider, you never pay a deductible and your percentage of the total cost of the visit is less than if you were to visit an out-of-network provider. To see if your current dental provider is in MetLife’s network or to find a participating provider near you, visit the MetLife website.

Yes, if you are eligible for Premium Assistance and enroll in either a Medicare Supplement plan or a Medicare Advantage plan through the Health Options Program, PSERS will pay up to $100 per month toward your monthly premium.

Yes, provided the retiree has an out-of-pocket premium expense from the Health Options Program or a Pennsylvania school district (employer) plan.

The amount of the Premium Assistance benefit, currently $100, is set by the Pennsylvania legislature, not PSERS.