Upcoming Events

WSSRA Medicare Retirees—

On Tuesday, September 26, 9:00 am, Ellen Wolfhagen and Jean Bui from the Health Care Authority will present a webinar on changes to the 2024 PEBB Medicare supplementary rates. Those rates, see below, in many cases have increased substantially. The reasons for those increases, plus general comparisons between plans, will be the main thrust of the webinar. Although many members did change providers for 2023, may more did not. In spite of cost differences, Uniform Medical Plan-Classic remains the plan of choice for a plurality of retirees.

With November the only month that PEBB retirees can change plans for 2024, this webinar will provide much of the information that members will need to consider if they are contemplating a change that would begin on January 1. 

For those who have a conflict on September 26, the webinar will be recorded and posted on the WSSRA website.

Registration for the webinar can be made through this link: https://form.jotform.com/232326577422153. Once registered, an email will be sent with a Zoom link for the September 26 event.  

Starting in January 2021, the PEBB Program will add two new Medicare Advantage plans with prescription drug coverage (MAPD).  These preferred provider organization (PPO) plans are administered by UnitedHealthcare.  These plans will be available nationwide to PEBB retirees and PEBB Continuation Coverage (COBRA) members enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B.  You will be able to see any provider who accepts Medicare, and you do not need a referral to see a specialist.  More information about these MAPD plans will be available closer to open enrollment, including in the October PEBB For Your Benefit newsletter.

MAPD plans cover all of the benefits under Medicare Part A and Part B, called Original Medicare, as well as Medicare prescription drug coverage (Part D).  Many Medicare Advantage plans – including the two new PEBB plans – also offer more benefits than Original Medicare, such as vision and hearing coverage, gym memberships, chiropractic care, and naturopathic medicine.

While the PEBB Program will not hold in-person benefits fairs this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic, you can learn more about the new MAPD plans by attending a virtual town hall: either a conference call, which are noted in bold below, or a video call.  The video calls will include a visual presentation, though you may also choose to phone in to the video call without viewing the presentation.  You can choose to attend whichever type of town hall best suits your needs.  During these events, representatives from UnitedHealthcare will present details about these plans and answer your questions.  To register for a town hall, visit the HCA website at hca.wa.gov/pebb-mapd.  All times below are in Pacific Time.

• Tuesday, October 6 at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm
• Thursday, October 8 at 2:00 pm
• Tuesday, October 13 at 2:00 pm
• Wednesday, October 14 at 10:00 am
• Thursday, October 15 at 10:00 am
• Tuesday, October 20 at 10:00 am
• Wednesday, October 21 at 2:00 pm

UnitedHealthcare will offer more town halls during open enrollment in November.  The schedule for these events will appear in the October PEBB For Your Benefit newsletter.

 The PEBB Program’s annual open enrollment will be different this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  There will be no in-person benefits fairs.  A virtual benefits fair will be available anytime, day or night, starting in October.  You can learn about the benefits available to you from the comfort of your home.  Visit hca.wa.gov/pebb-retirees to explore and learn more about all the benefits available.  You will find links to videos, downloadable content, and other information to help you choose the right benefits for you and your dependents.  Use your computer, tablet, or smartphone to explore at your own pace.  More information about the virtual benefits fair will be available in the October edition of the PEBB For Your Benefit newsletter. 

The BOOK CLUB meets at 1:00 pm on the second Thursday of the month (yes, all 12 months) in the Library at Traylor’s Restaurant.  Bring a book to share or learn about some books you might want to read – an informal meeting of folks who like to read.