OP&F clarifies availability of stipend for Wellcare Rx plan in 2025

OP&F has had questions recently about the availability of a Wellcare prescription drug plan for Medicare-eligible retirees that was available through Alight (our retiree health care partner) in 2024, but that is no longer listed as a choice for 2025.

The Wellcare Value Script plan that was an option through Alight for 2024, and in some locations had a zero-dollar premium, is not available for new enrollments in 2025. However, although it is not listed as an option, those members who were previously enrolled in this plan will continue to be able to keep that coverage in 2025 and no action is needed by you other than continuing to pay the premium where applicable in some markets. Alight will continue to be the agent of record for those already enrolled, which will “check the box” for the OP&F Stipend eligibility rule of needing to enroll through Alight Retiree Health Exchange in a medical or prescription drug plan. For those previously enrolled members, refer to the Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) that was sent to members from Wellcare to know what your 2025 premium will be.

The OP&F Retiree Health Care Plan is structured to allow for flexibility and if a member wishes to enroll in a plan that is not offered through Alight, they can still do that directly through Medicare.gov or a local broker offering those plans. Medicare-eligible members can remain eligible for the OP&F stipend as long as they maintain either a medical or prescription program through Alight. If you decide to enroll in a WellCare plan or any other prescription drug plan outside of Alight, you must maintain an enrollment in a medical plan through Alight.

For additional information, contact Alight at 1-844-290-3674, or online at either: retiree.alight.com/OP-F; or the retiree health care page at op-f.org.

posted 10/25/2024