Open Enrollment for Retirees
Open Enrollment for 2024 Insurance Benefits runs from Wednesday, November 8th through Wednesday, November 15th. An enrollment packet, including a personalized insurance enrollment form, a 2024 retiree benefit reference guide and a letter explaining changes will be mailed to you the week of October 23rd. If you are making changes to your enrollment, your form must be postmarked no later than November 15th.
Key things to keep in mind
- All plans for early retiree medical, regular retiree medical and retiree dental are changing in 2024.
- Your personal enrollment form will list the plan we have mapped you to which most closely matched the plan you were on in 2023.
- We have moved from 2 tier options (single and family only) to 4 tier options for early retiree medical and all retiree dental in 2024. You will be mapped to the tier that meets your current family enrollment status. If you are making changes to your dependent enrollment, you will need to return your personal enrollment form.
- If you are not making any changes, you do not need to complete the enrollment form and the coverage shown on your form will be the plan you will be moved to for 2024.
- Please note: The rates on the enrollment forms in your packets are reflecting the final rates for 2024. Please update your payment details, if applicable for 2024, with these rates.
- If you pay your invoices for premiums via check or bank bill-pay, you must always include your invoice number on your payment. Please note, these numbers change every quarter.
- Retirees or dependents currently enrolled in either the HealthPartners Journey or Retiree National Choice or the BCBS Standard plans will automatically be enrolled to our new UHC Premier Plan.
- Retirees currently enrolled in the BCBS Classic plan will automatically be enrolled to our new UHC Standard Plan. You will need to return your personal enrollment form if you intend to move to the Premier Plan.
- If you are a retiree with dependents under age 65 (spouse or children), those dependents will be moving to Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota, Ramsey County Broad Network plan. Retirees with dependents not Medicare eligible will only be able to enroll in the UHC Premier plan and will have the optoin to move to the UHC Standard plan when all dependents are eligible for Medicare.
- If you have questions on premiums, eligibility or adding / dropping coverage, contact Azure Wickert at 651 266-2731.
- If you wish to enroll in quarterly auto payment of insurance premiums, complete the Direct Debit Form here and return via email to Azure or mail it to: 121 7th Place E, Suite 4000, Saint Paul, MN 55101
- Ramsey County invoices may now be paid online! Please visit ramseycounty.us/PayInvoices for more information. You will need your Customer Number and Invoice Number to complete your transaction.
- If you need to change your address email Azure or leave a voicemail with the address change at: 651 266-2731.
- All calls will be answered as soon as possible. Your patience is appreciated!
Medical Insurance Options for Regular Retirees
Ramsey County will move to United Health Care for 2024 regular retiree medical insurance plans. You will receive an announcement letter from UHC as well as a disenrollment letter for the plan you were enrolled in 2023, on or around October 9th.
United Health Care has a dedicated phone line to answer your questions on the Medicare Advantage plans, call 1-844-588-5872, TTY 711 or go online and visit the webiste: retiree.uhc.com/ramseycountymn.
View a recorded presentation explaining these benefits: 2024 United Health Care Benefits Presentation
2024 UnitedHealthcare Premier and Standard Plans
We are pleased to introduce the UnitedHealthcare® Group Medicare Advantage PPO plan for your health care and prescription drug coverage, which will be offered to Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents effective January 1, 2024.
These plans are custom plans designed exclusively for Ramsey County retirees and should not be confused with individual UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage plans that might be available in your area.
Introducing the UnitedHealthcare® Group Medicare Advantage plans
The UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Advantage plans are Medicare Advantage plans that deliver all the benefits of Original Medicare, include prescription drug coverage (Part D), and offer additional benefits and features. These plans are not a supplement plan and do not pay secondary to Medicare. All claims are submitted directly to UnitedHealthcare for payment, not Medicare. You will need to continue to carry Medicare A and B to be eligible for these new plans.
As a UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Advantage plan member, you are offered benefits and services beyond what you will find with Original Medicare. You’ll have a team committed to understanding your needs, helping you get the care you need and assist you in managing your health. UnitedHealthcare will connect you to health and wellness resources and even help to schedule your preventive care, including arranging an Annual Wellness Visit. Below, you can find highlights of what the new plans offer.
- UnitedHealthcare® HouseCalls – An in-home visit designed to complement your doctor’s care. A licensed and knowledgeable health care professional will review your health history and current medications, perform a health screening, identify health risks and provide health education.
- 24/7 Nurse Support – Speak to a registered nurse anytime about your medical concerns and questions.
- Rewards – Earn rewards for taking an active role in your health and wellness by completing and reporting certain health care activities.
- Renew Active® – A fitness program for mind and body that’s designed for you and your goals, offered exclusively by UnitedHealthcare. Renew Active includes a free gym membership with access to our national network of gyms and fitness locations, at no additional cost to you.
- You can see any provider (in-network or out-of-network) at the same cost share, as long as they have not opted out of or been excluded or precluded from Medicare.
- Choose from thousands of pharmacies across the United States, including national chain, regional and independent local retail pharmacies.
- Renew by UnitedHealthcare® – Our online member-only Health & Wellness Experience
- Virtual Visits – Live video chat* with a provider from your computer, tablet or smartphone — anytime, day or night
- Virtual Doctor Visits – Good for minor health care concerns such as cough/cold, allergies, fever, flu or sore throat
- Virtual Behavioral Health Visits – Good for behavioral health concerns such as stress and anxiety, or depression
For questions, contact UnitedHealthcare Customer Service toll-free at 1-844-588-5872, TTY 711, 8:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m. local time, Monday - Friday.
BCBS Broad Plan for retirees formerly on HealthPartners Major Medical
Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota - Broad Plan (Aware network - $600 deductible 20% coinsurance plan)
Watch the BCBS Open Enrollment Presentation
Medical coverage for retirees over 65 but not eligible for Medicare is available through the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota Aware $600 Deductible plan. It is the same plan in which active employees or retirees under 65 may participate. You must have coverage on yourself to cover your dependents. There are 4 enrollment tiers to choose from; Single, Retiree + Spouse, Retiree + Child(ren) or Family. You will be mapped to this plan and the enrollment tier that matches your 2023 status automatically. Dependent children may be covered up to age 26 regardless of student status, place of residence, or marital status.
This plan provides in-network and out-of-network coverage. To obtain in-network benefits, you may obtain services from any Aware Network provider in Minnesota, or BlueCard PPO network provider outside of Minnesota.
Benefits: There is an annual in-network deductible (not applicable to preventive care or prescriptions) of $600 per person/$1,200 per family. Preventive health care is covered at 100% for in-network providers; you pay 40% after deductible for out-of-network providers (except for prenatal care and well-child care to age six which are covered at 100%). Your office visit co-pay to see an in-network provider for illness or injury is $30 for primary care and $50 for specialists; to see an out-of-network provider you pay 40% after deductible. Your co-pay if you visit an in-network retail health clinic is $10; to see an out-of-network provider you pay 40% after deductible. Urgent care is covered after a $50 copay for in-network providers; or a $100 copay for out-of-network providers; emergency room care is covered at 100% after a $150 co-pay for in and out-of-network providers. E-visits are covered at the same level as retail health clinic visits for illness or injury.
You pay 20% after deductible if you use an in-network inpatient hospital; or 40% after deductible for an out-of-network inpatient hospital. There is an annual medical and prescription combined out-of-pocket maximum of $4,500 per person/$9,000 per family for in-network providers; and $9,000 per person/$18,000 per family for out-of-network providers. The co-pay for Select Network retail pharmacies for FlexRx preferred generic drugs is $10, $15 for non-preferred generics, $25 for preferred brand, and $35 for non-preferred brand drugs. A mail order pharmacy benefit is available to obtain a 90-day supply of prescription drugs for three co-pays. No coverage is provided for any prescription drugs from out-of-network providers.
Out-of-network benefits: For Emergency Room and Emergency Medical Transportation services, the out-of-network benefit is the same as the in-network benefit. For non-emergency care, you generally pay 40% after deductible for inpatient and outpatient care (of the allowed amount recognized by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Minnesota) after you have met your deductible of $1,800 per person or $3,600 per family. Costs incurred in excess of the allowed amount are the responsibility of the member (balance billing) and do not count toward the out-of-pocket maximum. The out-of-pocket maximum for eligible out-of-network medical expenses is $9,000 per person/$18,000 per family.
Summary of Benefits Coverage: A detailed Summary of Benefits Coverage (SBC) is available at www.ramseycounty.us/OpenEnrollment . If you require a paper copy, you may contact Ramsey County Human Resources.
Provider Information
The most current provider information is available on the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Minnesota website (www.bluecrossmn.com), or you may contact Blue Cross Customer Service at 844-348-0582. You can also search for a provider using the BCBS website and selecting the Aware network here.
MetLife Dental Plans-new in 2024
Ramsey County’s dental program will be provided by MetLife in 2024. Retirees who elected coverage at the time of retirement and are currently enrolled in a dental plan will have the opportunity choose either of the MetLife dental plans in 2024.
View Dental Open Enrollment presentation
Dental Plan Benefits Comparison Chart (PDF)
MetLife Select Plan
By choosing this plan, you have access to MetLife’s PDP Plus network, and have a higher calendar year maximum. Choose from more than 2,300 dentists in Minnesota and 130,000 nationally. Each time you make an appointment, you or your family member can select a dentist. Choosing a dentist in network provides the most cost-effective care and provides richer benefits.
Non-participating dentist –You can choose to receive services from a dentist who does not participate in the MetLife PDP Plus network. However, you pay your coinsurance as well as the difference between what the dentist charges and the allowable fee, which may result in significant out-of-pocket expenses. It is recommended that your dentist submit a pre-treatment estimate for services over $300 to MetLife to identify costs prior to receiving services
MetLife Open Plan
Choose from more than 2,300 dentists in Minnesota and 130,000 nationally. Each time you make an appointment, you or your family member can select a dentist. Choosing a dentist in network provides the most cost-effective care and provides richer benefits.
Non-participating dentist –You can choose to receive services from a dentist who does not participate in the MetLife PDP Plus network. However, you pay your coinsurance as well as the difference between what the dentist charges and the allowable fee, which may result in significant out-of-pocket expenses. It is recommended that your dentist submit a pre-treatment estimate for services over $300 to MetLife to identify costs prior to receiving services.
Information for Early Retirees
Ramsey County will offer Early Retirees and their families the Blue Cross Blue Shield Broad Plan in 2024. There will be 4 coverage tiers to choose from for this plan. The overall premiums for most Early Retiree plans will decrease in 2024. More information is available on the employee open enrollment page 2024 Employee Open Enrollment.