NRECA Employee Benefits Weekly

OneExchange’s Fall Newsletter and Medicare Open Enrollment Reminders for Retiree Insurance Solutions Participants

Posted on Posted in Group Benefits

Individuals enrolled in plans through OneExchange will receive the fall edition of OneExchange’s newsletter for Medicare-eligible retirees, Experience Choice. The fall newsletter focuses on information retirees need to know for Medicare open enrollment, the annual period that runs from October 15 through December 7 when they can evaluate their current Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D prescription drug plan for the upcoming year.

Here’s a sample copy of the newsletter.

If a retiree opted to receive emails, the newsletter will be sent by email; otherwise, it will be mailed to his or her home address.

Medicare open enrollment reminders
These reminders and information can help you communicate with and answer questions from individuals enrolled in the OneExchange program about Medicare open enrollment:

  • Retirees don’t need to call, or make a change if they’re happy with their existing medical and prescription drug coverage; it’s a passive enrollment.
  • The heaviest call volume occurs October 15 through October 20 and the weeks before and after Thanksgiving. Call volume also is heaviest on Mondays and during workday morning hours. If retirees want to call and compare their options, it’s recommended that they call at times other than those just mentioned. It’s not required but an appointment can be made to speak with a OneExchange benefit advisor.
  • Former NRECA plan participants have a dedicated toll-free phone number for OneExchange, 855.832.0978. They can call Monday through Friday between 8 am and 9 pm, ET.
  • The changes that can be made during Medicare open enrollment are limited in some cases. Here’s a brief review of what retirees are able to change:
    • General enrollment period:  Retirees can sign up for Medicare Part A and/or Part B if they didn’t do so when first eligible.
    • Medicare Advantage plans: Retirees can switch to a Medicare Advantage plan without a health evaluation. They can change between Medicare Advantage plans or go from a Medicare Supplement (MediGap) to a Medicare Advantage plan.
    • Medicare Supplement (MediGap) plans: Retirees will likely have to undergo a health evaluation if they want to change between Medicare Supplement plans or switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Medicare Supplement plan. In most cases, if a retiree is enrolled in a Medicare Supplement plan, they will stay in that plan.
    • Medicare Part D plans: Retirees can change Medicare Part D plans without a health evaluation. Switching Medicare Part D plans is the most common change during Medicare open enrollment.
  • If your co-op is participating in the NRECA Retiree Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) and a retiree would like to switch to a plan that offers the auto reimbursement option, have him or her contact OneExchange to see if other plans are available.
  • Keep in mind that the Retiree HRA cannot reimburse for Medicare Part D plan out-of-pocket expenses (other than premiums).

If you have questions about the newsletter or Medicare open enrollment and the OneExchange program, contact NRECA’s OneExchange team at retireeinsurancesolutions@nreca.coop. Retirees should contact OneExchange directly through the dedicated toll-free phone number at 855.832.0978.

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