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1. Retirees Eligible for Medicare

1. Retirees Not Eligible for Medicare

Effective January 1, 2008, all Penn State retiree health plans will be administered by Highmark Blue Shield. As Highmark plan members, you will have access to the Blue Shield network, which is the nation’s largest. As in the past, your eligibility for Medicare will determine in which Penn State retiree medical plan you are enrolled.

Retirees Eligible for Medicare

• You must continue your enrollment in Medicare Parts A and B. Since FreedomBlue provides prescription drug coverage, there is no need to enroll in Medicare Part D prescription coverage.
• The FreedomBlue PFFS does not require a primary care physician, although it is important to keep your family doctor informed of your medical conditions and treatments.
• Use your Highmark ID card for access to all services, including doctor visits and pharmacies.
• Your FreedomBlue PFFS plan provides a fixed dollar co-payment for doctor office visits and for prescription drugs.
• Prescription coverage will be available at local pharmacies. While a 30-day supply of a maintenance drug is available from your local pharmacy, a 90-day supply of a maintenance drug is available by mail order the University Health Service Pharmacy or from Medco by Mail.
• Highmark Blue Shield maintains the formulary, or list of covered drugs, and the formulary applies for both retail and maintenance programs. Prescriptions included on the formulary receive the highest level of coverage. However, your drug plan allows you the freedom to choose to receive a medication that is not included on the formulary. You will pay 70% of the cost of a non-formulary medication.
• Detailed information is available from the 2009 FreedomBlue PFFS coverage and 2010 FreedomBlue PFFS coverage grids.
• If you are a retire WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE and you have questions regarding your health plan, please contact Highmark Blue Shield at the dedicated toll-free number for Penn State at 1-866-918-5285.

Retirees Not Eligible for Medicare

• The Highmark PPOBlue plan does not require a primary care physician, although it is important to keep your family doctor informed of your medical conditions and treatments.
• Since the Highmark PPOBlue plan covers services provided both in and out of the Blue Shield network, you will not need to change doctors.
• Fixed dollar co-payments apply for visits to doctors within the Blue Shield network.
• Prescription coverage will be available at local pharmacies; a 50/50 co-payment applies. While a 30-day supply of a maintenance drug is available from your local pharmacy, a 90-day supply of a maintenance drug is available by mail order from the University Health Service Pharmacy or from Medco by Mail. Your co-payment for maintenance drugs is 20%.
• Highmark Blue Shield maintains the formulary, or list of covered drugs, and the formulary applies for both retail and maintenance programs. Prescriptions included on the formulary receive the highest level of coverage. However, your drug plan allows you the freedom to choose to receive a medication that is not included on the formulary. You will pay 70% of the cost of a non-formulary medication.
• Detailed information is available from the 2009 PPOBlue Benefits Summary or 2010 PPOBlue Benefits Summary.
• If you are a retiree who is NOT ELIGIBLE FOR MEDICARE and you have a question about your health plan, please call Highmark Blue Shield at 1-800-914-4384. This is a dedicated toll free number for Penn State members.

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