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

Individuals enrolled in plans through Retiree Insurance Solutions will receive the fall edition of OneExchange’s newsletter for Medicare-eligible retirees, Experience Choice, soon. The fall newsletter focuses on information retirees need to know for Medicare open enrollment (October 15 – December 7, 2015), the annual period they can evaluate their current medical and prescription drug coverage and, in some cases, make changes if they wish.

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 their home address. OneExchange also publishes the newsletter in the spring and delivers it by email only.

Medicare open enrollment reminders
These reminders and information can help you communicate with and answer questions from individuals enrolled in the Retiree Insurance Solutions 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 – 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 participants have a dedicated toll-free phone number to OneExchange, 855.832.0978. Retirees can call Monday-Friday between 6 am and 7 pm, MT.
• 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:
  • 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 you have questions about the newsletter or Medicare open enrollment and the Retiree Insurance Solutions program, contact us at retireeinsurancesolutions@nreca.org.