Retirees- Pay close attention to a letter which Verizon will send out to you the last week of October showing you what coverage will be effective January 1, 2010. To make sure you get ID cards and changes are in place effective Jan 1, 2010, complete changes by the end of November.

 

Verify what medical and dental plan Verizon shows you in for 2010. Personalized letters mailing on October 26. Make changes by Nov 30. Call for HPCCs (beginning Oct 1) 

www.verizon.com/benefits If you use the internet, print out a confirmation of what you have done and make sure you CONFIRM your changes.

There are NO changes to the bargained for plans MCN (opt 20), MEP/PPO (opt 41).

 

 

The following pre-Medicare HMO plans have been “frozen”- Aetna HMO, Health Net, Carelink, Cigna, and Geisinger, HIP Health Plan of NY. If you are in one of these plans, you may remain for the 2010 plan year but if you get out, you cannot get back into it Blue Cross/Blue Shield pre-Medicare HMO plans, (Horizon, Amerihealth, Empire BCBS of NY, Keystone East) are being terminated by Verizon. Members in these plans will be placed by Verizon into a new plan-Anthem BC/BS EPO. If you are affected, you will receive notice in the mail. Verizon will only send you the information on the new EPO. You must contact the VBC to request health plan comparison charts for ALL plans that may be available to you, including the Union bargained for plan, the Aetna MCN, Choice POS II. Many Medicare HMO plans are being terminated. (i.e. Horizon Medicare, Aetna Medicare Advantage). More plans that will be affected will be posted as soon as information becomes available. Terminated Medicare plans will default to the MCN or MEP (depending on service area that you live in). Affected members will be notified if their plan is terminating. Know your HMO and the limitation for that plan…even if you are staying in your current plan. Members still call to say that they were unaware of these changes that happened in 2008/2009. Most common are the $150 co-pay per hospital confinement, copay for physical therapy, lab work, outpatient surgery, and limits on chiropractic service. Call VBC and ask for HPCCs. If you forgot your password, do not allow them to mail it to you. The representatives at the VBC can authenticate your identity, and then reset your password while you are on the line with them. Tell them to mail HPCCs.

If you have a college student who will be out of state, check with the HMO to make sure there is coverage where your student goes to school. If not, notify the VBC and your full time student should be placed in the MCN or MEP/PPO.Want to look for your doctor in the Aetna MCN? I strongly suggest that all members consider the Union bargained for plan, Aetna MCN-Choice POS II -
The following is the process you may go through if you want to look on the Aetna website at providers and hospitals that are participating in this network. You may also call Aetna member services (800-247-5482).

www.aetna.com
From home page :
Find a Doctor (tab on left)
Click on Continue to DocFind
Put in a zip code, city or county you want to search in
fill in city  or county, then state
Type of provider (ex: medical provider)
Provider type (ex: primary care physician)
Plan: select Open Access- Choice POS II (this is the MCN)

 

 

Several important changes will take place for benefits, effective January 1, 2010.