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
Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) to Consider New UMP Classic Medicare Pharmacy Benefit at March 21 meeting
If you are a consistent reader of the weekly NewsFlash, you know that for months, the Health Care Authority has been seeking retiree input on a potential new Part D pharmaceutical benefit to replace the current one available to those who subscribe to the Uniform Medical Plan (UMP) Classic Medicare. The findings from virtual and in-person town hall meetings and retiree input gleaned from emails and written correspondence will be shared with the Public Employees Benefits Board (PEBB) at the board’s next regularly scheduled meeting on March 21 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. While the agenda is not yet posted, RPEC has learned that this topic will likely be addressed between noon and 2 p.m. If you earn your healthcare benefits from PEBB and are interested in sharing your perspective on the Part D proposal, please plan to tune in via Zoom and offer comments during the public comment section of the agenda.
The agenda and meeting materials should be available this weekend. The PEB Board is not expected to act next week on the proposed Part D option. Formal action is more likely at the board’s April 11th meeting.
The proposed new Part D pharmacy benefit is expected to lower overall premium costs by up to several hundred dollars. This new option, if approved by the PEB Board at the April 11 meeting, will improve premium affordability for more than 95% of all current UMP Classic Medicare subscribers. Adoption of the new pharmacy benefit will not change the medical benefits currently available in the plan. Moreover, the plan will continue to be administered by Moda to provide continuity of service to UMP Classic Medicare subscribers. Learn more at www.hca.wa.gov.
