Retiree Medical Benefits

Medical Benefits

Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Mexico (BCBSNM) is the provider of the Laboratory’s medical benefits. Retiree medical plan premiums are subject to graduated eligibility.

Healthcare insurance eligibility upon retirement

To be eligible for retiree healthcare insurance, TCP1 and TCP2 employees must:

• be at least age 50 with at least 10 years of applicable service credits; or
• Meet the requirements contained in Triad Health & Welfare Benefit Plan for Retirees (pdf) - Appendix A.

TCP1 employees and transitioned TCP2 employees who are eligible for a pension benefit from the University of California Retirement Plan (UCRP) must begin their pension within 120 days of their termination from the Laboratory and must enroll in the retiree healthcare benefit plan within the same 120-day period.

Note: TCP1 and TCP2 with UC pension employees with less than 20 years of service are subject to graduated eligibility. Transitioning employees who were hired in a career position with UC before January 1, 1990 receive 100% of the Lab maximum contribution regardless of years of service.”

Employees hired on or after June 1, 2006, or parent company employees who transferred with less than 10 years of qualifying service are eligible for TCP2 Access Only retiree healthcare plan. Access Only means the employee pays 100% of their premium (employee and employer portion).

Note: Parent company employees do not participate in a pension plan but must enroll in retiree healthcare benefits within 120 days of their termination from the Lab if they are eligible.

Medicare enrollment and eligibility requirements Eligibility

Typically, you are eligible for Medicare:

• At age 65, or
• Before age 65, after receiving Social Security disability benefits for at least 24 months

Enrollment

• You should receive Medicare enrollment information from the Social Security Administration (SSA) about four months prior to your 65th birthday.
• Contact Medicare.gov, review the national Medicare handbook, or call your local SSA office for more information.
• Enroll you and any eligible family members in Medicare Part B as soon as you become eligible for Medicare Part A.  Failure could result in permanent loss of coverage.
• Inform Empyrean Benefit Solutions of your Medicare status regardless if you are Medicare eligible or not.

Medicare mandate for LANS retirees

LANS requires each retiree, disabled member, and enrolled family member who are eligible to enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B when first eligible for Medicare.

• If you or your spouse earn entitlement through Social Security, you are both eligible for Medicare.
• Once enrolled in Part B, you cannot cancel enrollment at some future date and remain covered under the Plan.
• Failure to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B will result in termination from the Laboratory Retiree Medical Plans with no reinstatement available.

Contact the Social Security Administration to determine eligibility.

Medical Plans for Medicare-Eligible Retirees

The Laboratory offers the following medical plans to Medicare-eligible retirees:

National Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) medical plan

• In-network coverage only
• National EPO Plan Highlights (pdf)

National Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) medical plan

• Both in-network and out-of-network benefits
• National PPO Plan Highlights (pdf)

National Medicare Supplement

• National Medicare Supplement Summary of Benefits
• National Medicare Supplement Plan Description

Eligibility

Triad Health & Welfare Benefit Plan for Retirees (pdf) - see Eligibility Requirements

Comparison and Rates

• Medical Plan Comparison
• Premium Rates for Medicare-Eligible Retirees

Complete plan information and summary plan descriptions are available through Empyrean Benefit Solutions. 

Medical Plans for Non-Medicare Retirees

The Laboratory offers the following two medical plans to non-Medicare retirees:

• High-Deductible Health Plan (HDHP)
• Preferred Provider Option (PPO) Plan

Comparison and rates

• Medical Plan Comparison (pdf)
• Non-Medicare Retiree Premium Rates (pdf)

Eligibility

• Triad Health & Welfare Benefit Plan for Retirees (pdf) - see Eligibility Requirements

Complete plan information and summary plan descriptions are available through Empyrean Benefit Solutions.