| Q) |
|
When is open enrollment? |
| A) |
|
Open enrollment takes place in
November but any changes you make will not be effective until
the following January.
|
| Q) |
|
Whom do I contact at Aerospace
about enrollment? |
| A) |
|
For open enrollment changes,
contact the Retirement Office. Call (310) 336-5107 in the local
El Segundo area, otherwise, call (800) 458-3892. If you are going
to change your plan during open enrollment, wait for an open
enrollment package from Employee Benefits. Changes are allowed
in November of each year, and will be effective the following
January 1.
For other information, retirees should
write to Retirement Office/ M3-433, PO Box 92957, Los Angeles,
CA 90009-2957. Changes outside of open enrollment are
restricted to events such as relocation out of plan service area
or life events.
|
| Q) |
|
Can I keep COBRA longer than 18
months? |
| A) |
|
No. You may only keep COBRA
coverage for 18 months after you retire.
|
| Q) |
|
My spouse is working and is
covering me under his/her insurance. If I drop my coverage
with Aerospace, can I get back into the Retiree Medical Plan? |
| A) |
|
Yes. If you waived coverage
because you were covered under another plan, you may re-enroll
in the Retiree Medical Plan within 30 days of losing that other
coverage. If you do not lose coverage but would like to
re-enroll in the Aerospace Retiree Medical Plan, you may do so
only during open enrollment. Evidence of Insurability may be
required.
|
| Q) |
|
I had medical coverage when
I retired, but elected not to continue the coverage because I
was covered by my spouse's medical plan. My spouse's plan
provides better coverage at less cost. If my spouse loses
his/her coverage, can I re-enroll in a medical plan at
Aerospace? |
| A) |
|
Yes. If you waived coverage
because you were covered under another plan you may re-enroll in
The Aerospace plan if you lose that other coverage. You must
contact Aerospace by October 31, prior to the year you would
like to re-enroll to receive an open enrollment package.
|
| Q) |
|
Whom do I contact at
Aerospace about termination of my medical coverage? |
| A) |
|
Contact the Retirement Office.
Call (310) 336-5107 in the local El Segundo area, otherwise call
(800) 458-3892. You may re-enroll during open enrollment in
November of each year for benefits effective the following
January 1.
For other information, retirees should
write to the Retirement Office/M3-433, PO Box 92957, Los
Angeles, CA 90009-2957. Changes outside the open
enrollment are restricted to events such as relocation out of
plan service area or life events.
|
Dental
Questions
|
| Q) |
|
What choices do I have for
dental benefits? |
| A) |
|
Upon retirement, individuals
can elect COBRA to continue the dental they had as an employee
for up to 18 months or Safeguard Dental
|
| Q) |
|
When can I enroll in
Safeguard? |
| A) |
|
You may only enroll during open
enrollment, but you may drop the plan at any time.
|
HMO
Questions
|
| Q) |
|
Should I consider an HMO? |
| A) |
|
HMO's are available to retirees
and offer an alternative to other plans. HMO's cover hospital
and physician care and prescriptions, but they stress preventive
care, covering routine physicals and immunizations. Many HMO's
offer comprehensive coverage at low premiums.
|
| Q) |
|
Are there any disadvantages
to HMO's? |
| A) |
|
The HMO decides how much, the
kind, and the location of the patient's medical care. In many
HMO's, the enrollee must use the doctors and hospitals that are
members of the HMO, or with which the HMO has agreements. HMO's
also have limited benefits outside of their full service area.
|
Medicare
Questions
|
| Q) |
|
Should all retirees enroll
in Medicare then they become eligible? |
| A) |
|
Yes. All retiree medical plans
require Medicare Parts A & B for payment of claims. You must send a copy of your Medicare card to the Aerospace Employee Benefits Department before your 65th birthday. In addition, your must enroll in your insurance carrier's Medicare D program if applicable.
|
| Q) |
|
How and when do I apply for
Medicare Parts A & B? |
| A) |
|
If you are receiving Social
Security benefits, you will be automatically enrolled.
Otherwise, approximately 3 months prior to reaching age 65, you
should call (800) 772-1213, and request an appointment with your
local Social Security office to file a Medicare claim.
|
| Q) |
|
If I am enrolled in an HMO
and am over age 65, do I apply for Medicare Parts A & B? |
| A) |
|
You must enroll in both
Medicare Parts A & B so that your Medicare benefits can be
coordinated with your HMO coverage.
|
| Q) |
|
Do I have to enroll in Medicare D? |
| A) |
|
If your carrier has a Medicare D component, The Aerospace Benefits Department will send you the applicable form.
|
Prescription
Questions
|
| Q) |
|
What are the advantages of
using a mail order prescription service? |
| A) |
|
Mail order prescription service
enables plans to provide prescription drugs sometimes at lower
prices, resulting in savings to the plan and to you. Mail order
services may also have extra controls built in that generally
are not available through local retail pharmacies.
|
Survivor
Questions
|
| Q) |
|
What are the conditions for
my survivor to continue benefits coverage in the event of my
death? |
| A) |
|
For most retirees and
survivors, continuation of Aerospace medical coverage is an
important consideration. If the survivor is eligible for another
group medical plan or remarries, Aerospace coverage will not be
available. Survivors of retirees will pay the retiree cost-sharing amount. Survivors of active employees will receive coverage
at no cost for one year and may continue coverage for up to five additional
years by paying the full premium charged to The Aerospace Corporation.
|
| Q) |
|
If I marry (or remarry)
after retirement and, at that time, upon my death, can my new
spouse keep Aerospace coverage? |
| A) |
|
Yes. If he/she is covered as a
dependent at the time of the retiree's death and has no other
group medical coverage.
|
| Q) |
|
Are there any circumstances whereby
a survivor, who remarries, can retain medical coverage? |
| A) |
|
No. |
