Beginning Jan. 1, 2017, endowed retirees of Cornell University will be offered a new array of health plan options that better serve their medical, dental and vision care needs, according to Paul Bursic, senior director of benefit services.

“We review the offerings annually and felt it was the right time to implement changes that will set us up with a more sustainable retiree health plan platform,” Bursic said.

That new platform – the Retiree Service Center – will be administered by Aetna, though some of the plan options will remain self-insured by Cornell. A full-service retiree portal and a 24-hour toll-free hotline will offer comprehensive coverage information and support, enrollment by phone, and assistance with provider and Aetna transactions. All plans will be backed by the Aetna nationwide network of providers.

The university will offer one plan for retirees and covered dependents under the age of 65 and two plans for endowed retirees and their covered dependents over age 65, who are, therefore, eligible for Medicare. A Cornell Retiree Open Enrollment period is set for Oct. 17 through Nov. 4; coverage takes effect Jan. 1, 2017.

“The new Retiree Pre-Medicare Health Plan closely resembles the Aetna PPO and Cornell Program for Healthy Living that our members are accustomed to, and it incorporates the most utilized and desirable options of both, including covering preventive medicine and routine physicals,” Bursic said. “The plan is essentially a combination of plans, so some people may see slight changes from their current coverage.” Retirees and/or covered dependents under age 65 and not eligible for Medicare automatically will be enrolled in this plan.

Retirees and covered dependents age 65 or older, or otherwise Medicare-eligible, can choose between two health plans that coordinate with Medicare: the current Aetna Retiree 80/20 plan with OptumRx prescription drug coverage, and the new Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan with Aetna prescription drug coverage.

Those currently in the Aetna Retiree 80/20 plan who wish to remain in that plan need not re-enroll; they automatically will be enrolled in the Aetna Retiree 80/20 plan for 2017.

The Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan (also known as Medicare Part C) is a completely new plan for retirees and their dependents over age 65. It combines coverage for medical benefits and prescription drugs into one plan with one ID card.

Retirees who were grandfathered into the frozen Medicare Supplement Plan, which is not accepting new participants, should remain in that plan in virtually all cases. Neither the current Aetna Retiree 80/20 Plan nor the new Medicare Advantage Plan provide any clear gains over grandfathered coverage, Bursic said.

“Plan decisions will be dependent on your individual or family needs, so we’re encouraging retirees to compare the plan benefits in the enrollment kit being mailed to them, come to our open town hall meetings and take advantage of the new Aetna retiree portal and full-service toll-free number,” said Bursic.

Additionally, Ameritas – the dental and vision insurance company for active endowed employee plans – will now offer a choice of three dental/vision plans for all retirees. Retirees can select a dental/vision plan during the Open Enrollment period.

Endowed retirees – and employees considering retirement – are encouraged to visit the human resources retiree website. Information has been tailored for those who are already retired, those retiring prior to Dec. 31, 2016, and anyone considering retirement in 2017. The site includes details about the plan changes, a timeline for communications, dates and locations of the town hall meetings, and resources to help throughout the transition to retirement.

Ashley Fazio is the director of human resources communications in the Division of Human Resources.