Are there any requirements of the Retiree Wellness Program that must be completed annually?
Yes. Every October, eligible retirees will be given the option to enroll in the Retiree Wellness Program effective the following January. As such, some requirements of the program must be completed every year, such as the annual medical check-up and appropriate tests and screenings. The Health Assessment Tool must be updated by January 31 each year.
I am retiring within the last 4 months of the year. When do I need to complete my Retiree Wellness Program requirements?
If you retire in the last four months of the calendar year, you have until December 31 of the year following your retirement to meet the annual program requirements. In addition, you need not update your Health Assessment Tool until January 31 of the year following the year in which you retired.
I have attained 25 years of pension credited service prior to July 1, 2007. Am I eligible to join the Retiree Wellness Program?
State retirees who attained 25 years of pension credited service, or retired on a disability retirement, prior to July 1, 2007 are subject to the premium sharing arrangements at the time they attained 25 years of pension credited service or retired on a disability retirement. For information on premium sharing, see the Premium Sharing Schedule.
I have decided to decline enrollment in the Retiree Wellness Program. How is my 1.5% health contribution calculated?
For those who retire from PERS or PFRS, the contribution is simply 1.5% of your monthly retirement allowance. For ABP retirees, the contribution is equal to 1.5% of 50 percent of the highest salary received in the last year prior to retirement. For example, if the highest annual base salary for an ABP retiree is $50,000, the annual contribution for retiree health insurance is $375 ($31.25 per month).
If an eligible retiree chooses to decline enrollment in the Retiree Wellness Program, the 1.5% contribution will be deducted from his or her retirement check.
What are the benefits of enrolling in the Retiree Wellness Program?
There are two main benefits of enrolling. First, participation in the program results in the waiving of your required retiree health insurance contribution of 1.5% of monthly pension benefit. The program also encourages a healthy lifestyle and is designed to promote wellness as well as prevent future disease. Horizon and Aetna offer disease management programs that offer guidance and assistance to those with chronic illnesses and diseases.
What are the requirements of the Retiree Wellness Program?
Retirees enrolled in the program must:
- Agree to and submit a signed Pledge for Healthier Living to the Division of Pensions and Benefits;
- Complete a Health Assessment Tool (HAT) on an annual basis;
- Have a routine medical check-up on an annual basis;
- Complete age and gender appropriate tests and screening as recommended by your physician;
- If diagnosed with a chronic disease, participate in the health plan’s disease management program.
What do I need to do to enroll?
If you are an eligible retiree who has filed a retirement application with the state, you will be given the option to enroll in the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) retired group health insurance. Included in your SHBP retired group health insurance enrollment packet will be instructions on enrolling in the Retiree Wellness Program, including a Pledge for Healthier Living and other program requirements. The Pledge for Healthier Living must be signed and returned to the state Retiree Wellness Program Coordinator within 3 weeks of receipt in order to enroll in the Retiree Wellness Program.
Those who retire on or after July 1, 2007, and are eligible for retired group health insurance after attaining 25 years of pension credited service (or retire on a disability retirement on or after August 1, 2007) will be given the option to enroll in the Retiree Wellness Program. If you decline enrollment in the Retiree Wellness Program, you will be required to pay 1.5% of your monthly retirement benefit for retired group health insurance.
What is the SHBP Retiree Wellness Program?
The program is designed to provide for early detection and intervention of various health risks and diseases through annual checkups and age/gender appropriate screening. The program also guides members to participate in their health insurance’s various disease management programs, if applicable.
Where can I find more information on the Retiree Wellness Program?
See the SHBP Retiree Wellness Program website.
Who is eligible to participate?
Eligible retirees are those state employees who attained 25 years of pension-credited service in a state administered retirement system (i.e. ABP, PERS, PFRS) on or after July 1, 2007 and retired after that date. Employees who retired on a disability retirement on or after August 1, 2007 also qualify.