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Option Selection Period OSP

Attention Health Options Program Members: Mark Your Calendar for Option Selection Period

The Option Selection Period—the time when individuals currently enrolled in the Health Options Program can make changes to their coverage for 2024—runs through November 17. If you’re a current enrollee, this is a great time to evaluate your options and decide whether you want to make any changes to your Health Options Program coverage for 2024.

Watch your mail for more information. You’ll receive your Option Selection Period materials explaining what’s new for 2024 and the coverage options available in your area. Consider these materials carefully, particularly if you have moved or are about to move to a new area. If you’re currently enrolled in the Enhanced, Basic, or Value Medicare Rx Option, the package will also include information about these plans. Unless you notify us otherwise during the Option Selection Period, your current coverage will continue in 2024.

Don’t delay! The Option Selection Period ends November 17, 2023, so be sure to review all the information and submit necessary forms before then. If you have any questions about the coverage options available to you, call the HOP Administration Unit at 1-800-773-7725.

Note: These mailings are exclusively for members currently enrolled in the Health Options Program. If you are not enrolled in health coverage under the Health Options Program, you will not receive the materials described above. If you are not enrolled in the Health Options Program, you may enroll if you experience a Qualifying Event (i.e., turning 65 or losing employer-sponsored coverage).

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Awareness Health Options Program Medicare Medicare Advantage Medicare Supplement

Step Right Up (to Your Computer) for the Health Options Program Virtual Benefits Fair!

Interested in learning more about the Health Options Program? No need to travel—just visit our virtual benefits fair at discoverhopbenefits.com.

You can learn about the available Health Options Program plans, including Medicare Supplement plans, Medicare Advantage plans, and Pre-65 plans.

You’ll find lots of information from our Health Options Program partners, such as Highmark, Aetna, and Independence Blue Cross. You’ll also get an overview of all the great health benefits available to you as a PSERS retiree.

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Office Hours

Sign Up Now for Your Fall 2023 Individual Phone Consultation

You can schedule a 30-minute individual telephone consultation (not a group meeting) with a representative of the Health Options Program by following the steps below:

  • Call the HOP Administration Unit at 1-800-773-7725.
  • Let the representative know you want to schedule an individual telephone consultation.
  • After you make your appointment, you’ll receive a confirmation email with the date and time.
  • As it gets closer to your appointment, you’ll receive a reminder email.
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Prescription Drugs

Are You Taking Multiple Medications? Get Assistance.

The Health Options Program offers the Medication Therapy Management Program (MTMP) to help you understand how to properly take your medications and let you know about any adverse drug interactions that could occur. MTMP services help you better manage conditions by:

  • Ensuring that medications are taken correctly
  • Improving medication adherence
  • Detecting potentially harmful medication uses or combinations of medications
  • Educating members and health care providers

If you or any of your dependents are eligible for the MTMP, you may receive a call from OptumRx, the administrator for the Medicare Prescription Drug Options. OptumRx representatives will call from either 1-855-773-8254 or 1-866-352-5305.

If you qualify for the program and do not opt out, you will be automatically enrolled in the program. There is no additional cost for you to enroll.

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Health Health Options Program PSERS

How to Access Your Claims Online

If you are enrolled in the HOP Medical Plan, the Value Medical Plan, or the Pre-65 Medical Plan, you have convenient, secure access to your medical claims.

Log in to the secure Member Area section of the website to:

  • Review claims
  • Pay your bill online
  • View your personalized statement
  • Find a drug or pharmacy
  • Find coverage and compare plans
  • Request electronic EOBs

Once logged in, to access your claims, click on View medical claims in the Your HOP Tools section of your dashboard. If you are not registered, you can create an account. Enter your member ID or SSN, your last name, ZIP or postal code, and date of birth. Then you will be prompted to select a username, password, and security questions.

We take the security of our members’ information very seriously. Our website meets the stringent data security requirements of HIPAA (the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996).

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Benefits Health Health Options Program

Here’s a Sample of the VIP Treatment You Get With the Health Options Program

  • No age-related premium increase. With HOP, members have the security of knowing that as they age and use benefits more, their monthly premium is not based on their age. The Health Options Program’s premiums for the Medicare Supplement plans are set to a standard rate for age 70 and older. In comparison, many commercial plans increase their monthly premiums relative to a person’s age.
  • Age 65 Discount. Once you turn 65, your monthly premium for the HOP Medical Plan—one of the medical plan options for Medicare-eligible participants—will be discounted by 15% if you enroll within the three months before or after the month in which you turn 65. As long as you remain enrolled in the HOP Medical Plan, you’ll receive a discount on your premium each year until your 70th birthday.
  • Premium Assistance for eligible retirees. Premium Assistance through PSERS helps pay for health coverage through the Health Options Program or another Commonwealth public school employer or district health plan. This special financial incentive through HOP is not available with a commercial program such as AARP or Blue Cross Blue Shield. If you are eligible for Premium Assistance and enroll in either a Medicare Supplement plan or a Medicare Advantage plan through the Health Options Program, PSERS will pay up to $100 per month toward your monthly premium. The amount of the Premium Assistance benefit is determined by the Pennsylvania legislature and is subject to change. Not sure if you are eligible for Premium Assistance? Call 1-866-483-5509 for help.
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Awareness Health Options Program Materials

Online Tools Make It Easy to Use Your Benefits

Our website tools make it easy for you to get answers to your questions and maximize your benefits.

  • Find a plan: Determine the medical, prescription drug, and dental and vision plan options available through the Health Options Program that are best for you.
  • Find a drug: Search for drugs by name, tier, or therapeutic class.
  • Find a pharmacy: Search for participating pharmacies near you by street address, city and state, or ZIP code. You can also search by types of service, such as, open 24 hours, provides vaccinations, or offers specialty drugs.
  • Find premiums: Find out which plans are available where you live and their associated premiums.
  • Check out the virtual benefits fair: Explore your health care options from the comfort of home.
  • Electronic EOBs: To view your Explanation of Benefits online, sign in to the Member Dashboard to view your benefit statements. If you are not registered, you’ll need to create an account.
  • Get an ID card: Log in to the secure Member Area to access your member ID.
  • Pay your bill online: Make premium payments online by logging in to your Health Options Program account. To get started, sign in to the Member Dashboard, and click Pay My Bill to go to the payment portal. Once you are in the payment portal, you will also be able to view your statement, payment history, and balance due, or set reminders about payments. If you are not registered, you’ll need to create an account. Note: The option to pay your premium online is only available if your premium is larger than your pension. Otherwise, your premium is deducted automatically from your pension.
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Benefits Medical Medicare Medicare Supplement

What Happens to Your Medical Coverage if You Travel or Live in Two States?

Are you over 65 and traveling within the United States?

  • Both the HOP Medical Plan and the Value Medical Plan offer flexibility if you travel or divide your time in two (or more) cities or states within the United States. This is because the HOP Medical Plan and the Value Medical Plan allow you the freedom to use virtually any health care provider (doctor or hospital) you want.
  • A Medicare Advantage plan is designed for where you live, so you’ll need to use its network of providers to receive maximum benefits. Check with your Medicare Advantage plan on how they cover services if you are away from home, so there are no surprises!

Are you over 65 and traveling outside the United States?

  • If you are eligible for Medicare and enrolled in the HOP Medical Plan, you’re covered anywhere in the United States and abroad when you are traveling. The HOP Medical Plan gives you the most coverage and flexibility if you travel out of the country.
  • If you’re enrolled in the Value Medical Plan, coverage for services provided abroad is limited to those covered by Medicare. Covered expenses are subject to Medicare’s Major Medical Deductible and copay amounts.

Are you under 65?

If you are not eligible for Medicare, the HOP Pre-65 Medical Plan uses Private Healthcare Systems (PHCS), a national network of health care providers. Each time you need medical care, you can decide whether to use an in-network or out-of-network provider. While you are free to go out-of-network whenever and as often as you like, using a PHCS network provider is your lowest-cost option. You can receive reimbursement for out-of-country medical expenses.

Categories
Prescription Drugs

Akorn Medication Recall

Akorn, a manufacturer of various human and animal drug products, is voluntarily recalling several of their drug products. The company declared bankruptcy in February 2023 and is no longer in business. As a result, their quality program is discontinued, and they will not be able to guarantee the quality of their drugs.

Read the company announcement (including a list of affected products) and FDA alert here.

Watch your mail. If you are enrolled in the Enhanced, Basic, or Value Medicare Rx Option and a medication you are taking is affected by this recall, you will receive a letter from OptumRx in the next couple of weeks.

Medication questions. In the meantime, if you have questions about your medications, work with your doctor and pharmacy to determine if a replacement medication is needed.

Recall questions. If you have questions about the recall, contact Akorn at 1-800-932-5676 between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. CT, Monday through Friday. A qualified medical professional will return your call within one business day.

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Awareness Benefits

You’re Free to Move With SilverSneakers

SilverSneakers® is more than a fitness program. It’s an opportunity to improve your health, gain confidence, and connect with your community, at no additional cost, with the HOP Medical Plan or the HOP Pre-65 Medical Plan.

Whether you play tennis, swim laps, lift weights, visit the gym, or take live or recorded classes from home, SilverSneakers has you covered. Movement and exercise are essential to your health, and SilverSneakers supports you in any way you decide to move:

In participating fitness locations

  • Thousands of participating locations with various amenities
  • Ability to enroll at multiple locations at any time
  • SilverSneakers classes designed for all levels and taught by instructors trained in senior fitness

In your community

  • Group activities and classes offered outside the gym
  • SilverSneakers community fitness classes, walking groups, and workshop at parks, community centers, and more
  • Events, including shared meals, holiday celebrations, and class socials

At home or on the go

  • SilverSneakers LIVE virtual classes and workshops throughout the week
  • SilverSneakers On-Demand™ fitness classes available 24/7
  • SilverSneakers GO™ mobile app with adjustable workout plans and more

To log in, check your eligibility, or create an account, visit silversneakers.com/starthere. You can also search for fitness locations with an interactive map.

Always talk to your doctor before starting an exercise program.

Participating locations (PL) not owned or operated by Tivity Health, Inc. or its affiliates. Use of PL facilities and amenities limited to terms and conditions of PL basic membership. Facilities and amenities vary by PL.

Membership includes SilverSneakers instructor-led group fitness classes. Some locations offer Members additional classes. Classes vary by location. SilverSneakers, SilverSneakers FLEX, and the SilverSneakers shoe logotype are registered trademarks of Tivity Health, Inc. SilverSneakers LIVE, SilverSneakers On-Demand, and SilverSneakers GO are trademarks of Tivity Health, Inc. © 2022 Tivity Health, Inc. All rights reserved.

Not registered? Sign up today for personalized information.