Retired Public Employees Council of WA Working to protect and enhance the pension and health care benefits of Washington retired state, county and local government employees
Breaking News: Health Care Authority Opens Registration for Another Virtual Town Hall Meeting & Adds Resources to Website
Are you covered under Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) Classic Medicare through the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB)? Or, are you interested in possibly switching to that plan? The Health Care Authority (HCA) is exploring a potential new option that could significantly reduce monthly premiums for this plan by changing the plan’s current pharmaceutical benefit to an employer-managed Plan D pharmacy benefit. The medical portion of UMP Classic Medicare would remain unchanged if the new pharmaceutical benefit is adopted by the PEB Board this spring. The agency is asking for retiree feedback this month. You can share your input by attending the last open virtual town hall (registration link below) or by emailing or writing to HCA. (See details below). All feedback must be received by March 8.
Virtual Town Hall Added
You can provide input through an additional virtual town hall meeting that is scheduled for February 27. Space is also still available in the in-person town hall to be held in Olympia. Register today to provide your input. On the HCA website, access the link under the header “Join the conversation” will take you to the webinar recording and how to sign up for town halls. All participants have been asked to watch the webinar before attending a town hall meeting. The webinar provides detailed information about the potential new pharmaceutical benefit.
Details about the potential new pharmacy benefit and instructions on how to sign up for a town hall meeting is available at Retiree engagement | Washington State Health Care Authority.
Other Ways To Share Feedback
- Send your questions to: UMPQuestions2024@hca.wa.gov
- Share your feedback to: PEBBoard@hca.wa.gov
- Mail a letter to:
Health Care Authority PEBB UMP Medicare Feedback
P.O. Box 42684
Olympia, WA 98504
New Resources Now Available
HCA has added the following new tools which includes answers to questions posed by retirees about the new potential pharmacy benefit and the Plan D donut hole.
- Medicare Part D Quick Facts on the Town Hall Registration Page: PEBB retirees: Join us for a UMP Classic Medicare town hall | Washington State Health Care Authority
- General FAQs on Retiree Engagement Page: Retiree engagement | Washington State Health Care Authority
It is important to note that no decision has been rendered yet. The PEB Board directed HCA to seek input from stakeholders about this potential new configuration. Stakeholder feedback will be shared at the PEB Board’s March 23 meeting. The PEB Board may vote on this matter at its April 11 meeting.
