Benefits

Coverage for Non Medicare Eligible Retirees

The University of Chicago offers Non-Medicare eligible Retirees the choice of coverage under one of the four medical insurance plans available to active employees, including two health maintenance organization (HMO) plans and two preferred provider organization plans (PPO):

• University of Chicago Health Plan (UCHP)

• Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO Illinois Plan (HMO Illinois)

• Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO Maroon Plan (Maroon PPO)

• Blue Cross Blue Shield HDHP Maroon Savings Choice Plan with Health Savings Account (Maroon Savings Choice)

Note: If you are living outside of the United States please select one of the two Maroon plans only. 

 HMO vs PPO: Which Plan Structure is Right for You?

Here’s how an HMO works (UCHP & HMO Illinois):

Here’s how a PPO works (Maroon PPO & Maroon Savings Choice):

• You must select a primary care physician (PCP) who manages your care using the HMO network’s physicians and facilities.

• You will need approval from your PCP before seeing a specialist.

• There is no deductible to meet before the plan begins sharing in the cost of non-preventive care services.

• You pay a fixed copayment for each office visit, emergency room visit, and hospital stay.

• There are no claims to file.

• You must use doctors in your HMO’s network unless it is a life-threatening emergency.

• You are not required to choose a primary care physician and do not need a referral to see a specialist.

• You must meet an annual deductible before the plan begins covering non-preventive care services.

• Once you have met your deductible, you and the plan share in the cost of covered health expenses through coinsurance.

• If you use in-network providers, there are no claims to file.

 

Prescription Coverage 

Prescription drug coverage is provided automatically under your medical plan and is administered by either CVS Caremark or Prime Therapeutics, depending on which medical plan you choose. 

If you enroll in: 

The prescription drug administrator is:

UCHP

Maroon PPO Plan

Maroon Savings Choice Plan

 CVS Caremark

 HMO Illinois

 

Prime Therapeutics

 

The University does not require a separate prescription drug premium. However, Social Security Administration may require an Income Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, as required under the Affordable Care Act, for some retirees based on their income from two years ago. If you have to pay an extra amount, Social Security will send a letter telling you what the extra amount will be and how to pay it.

Monthly Premiums

These rates are effective January 1, 2023.

Monthly rates for the Retiree Medical Plan vary depending on the number of people that are being covered, their ages, and the plan that is chosen. Faculty emeriti who retired under the Faculty Retirement Incentive Program Early Retirement Option do not pay premiums for themselves or dependents over age 65 enrolled in Medicare.

Coverage Level

 Maroon PPO

Maroon Savings

UCHP

BCBS HMO

 One person under age 65

 $757

 $656

 $565

 $435

 Two people under age 65

 $1514

 $1313

 $1129

 $871

 Three people under age 65

 $2272

 $1969

 $1694

 $1306

Turning Age 65

Your monthly premiums will be adjusted to reflect the lower, 65-and-older rate by taking the following actions:

  • Call the Social Security Office 800.772.1213 to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B three months prior to your 65th birthday.

  • Send a photocopy of your Medicare card showing Part A and Part B coverage to retiree@uchicago.edu.

  • If you are Medicare-eligible, you must be enrolled in both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B and not enrolled in Medicare Part D to be enrolled in the Retiree Medical Plan.

Payment Method

University Billing is handled by WEX Health Inc., (WEX), P.O. Box 2079, Omaha, NE 68103-2079; telephone 866.451.3399. You may arrange with WEX for direct payments from your checking account for the Retiree Medical Plan monthly rates.