ATRS Retiree Insurance Choice
The time is approaching for many of our ATRS retirees to make a decision about their state sponsored health insurance coverage. If you are an ATRS retiree that is Medicare eligible (generally age 65 or older) and an active member of the current ARBenefits Plan, you are eligible for the new ARBenefits Group Medicare Advantage (PPO) plan, which is a UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Advantage (PPO) plan. You do not need to take any action to participate in this new plan, you will automatically be enrolled. If you do not wish to be enrolled in this plan, the opt-out process must be competed between November 1, 2022 and November 30, 2022. Details for opting out will be made available by the Arkansas Employee Benefits Division sometime in October.
The first thing I would like to point out about this health insurance change is that it is NOT an ATRS program. While the ATRS call center loves to answer our members’ questions, they do not have any additional information from what is available to you from the Arkansas Employee Benefits Division and UnitedHealthcare website. Therefore, I would like to pass along some of the useful links to information that I found on their websites.
I would first direct you to visit the Arkansas Employee Benefits Division Medicare Advantage page:
https://www.transform.ar.gov/employee-benefits/retirees/medicare-advantage/
This page provides an overview of the ARBenefits Group Medicare Advantage (PPO) plan and provides phone and email contact information if you have specific questions.
From here you should read the current Public School Employee Medicare Advantage Letter and Information located here:
The information presented in this PDF document includes a list of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) regarding the ARBenefits Group Medicare Advantage (PPO) plan.
Next, I would suggest you visit the UnitedHealthcare's Welcome Page for Arkansas State and Public School Retirees located here:
https://retiree.uhc.com/arbenefits
Follow the “Enrollment Information” link to learn more about enrolling in the plan for the 2023 plan year during the open enrollment period of November 1 – November 30, 2022. This is the link:
https://retiree.uhc.com/arbenefits/enrollment-information
The first important link on the “Enrollment Information” page is a schedule of the Fall meetings designed exclusively for Arkansas State and Public School retirees to help you learn about the ARBenefits Group Medicare Advantage (PPO) plan. For convenience, here is a direct link:
https://retiree.uhc.com/content/dam/retiree/pdf/arbenefits/Fall_enrollment_meeting_schedule.pdf
Finally, there is an online presentation about the ARBenefits Group Medicare Advantage (PPO) plan:
https://www.brainshark.com/1/player/ovations?pi=zGvz5lZO1zUvm2z0&r3f1=&fb=0
This is a 39 minute video designed to answer most of your questions.
I hope you find these resources helpful. Each of our ATRS retirees should make an informed choice on which plan is best for them based on their health and medical needs. Stay tuned to the Arkansas Employee Benefits Division Medicare Advantage page at: https://www.transform.ar.gov/employee-benefits/retirees/medicare-advantage to learn more in the coming weeks.
ATRS Educational Videos
We have enhanced our Retirement Counseling website page to offer pre-recorded retirement presentations. The presentations include general ATRS membership information, retirement eligibility, retirement processes, and much more. The presentations can be found at this link:
https://www.artrs.gov/retirement-counseling
Although we strive to educate our members with specific answers to their individual needs as they attempt to make a sound decision concerning retirement, it is the responsibility of members to make certain the retirement decisions they make are best for them. We suggest that all members request a current benefit estimate before making any final retirement decision.
Counselors are available by phone, email, in-office visit (appointment recommended) and virtual meeting via Zoom. Members may call 501-682-1517 or email info@artrs.gov for assistance.
Stay in Touch with ATRS and View YOUR Account Information
The ATRS website allows members to have direct access to specific member account information. Now, approximately 26,900 members have direct account access to individualized account information. Here is the link to the instructions to sign up: www.artrs.gov/registration.
You can also sign up to obtain these executive director updates through your private email address. Updates are made throughout the year such as during retirement season and other times when information needs to be shared. Now, over 31,700 people have signed up to receive this executive director update by direct email delivery. It is always a great pleasure for ATRS staff to learn of more ways to provide information to ATRS members, employers, beneficiaries, government officials, and the public. The ATRS Board is committed to providing a system that is member friendly and transparent. Remember that ATRS is here to serve you.
Best regards,
Clint Rhoden
Executive Director ATRS
Office: 501-588-4367
Mobile: 501-291-1623
clintr@artrs.gov