Silver Script and Medicare Part B
NAVIGATING CHANGES AND OPPORTUNITIES
Change can be confusing at first but at times it’s necessary and often a good thing. There also could be side effects that may not work for some. The Postal Reform signed into law in 2022 brings many changes to the way all Postal employees’ Health Benefits programs are administered. We will address them throughout the year as the time to act or not becomes closer.
Beginning April 1, 2024 through October 1, 2024 any USPS retiree or annuitant, 65 years or older, who chose not to sign up for Medicare Part B at the time of their retirement will be able to do so without penalty. Normally a retiree who did not sign up for Part B at 65 is penalized 10% in increased premium costs for each year past 65 if they chose to enroll later. That cost increase continues each year going forward. So now this opportunity presents itself if you’re retired, 65 or older and have decided that having Medicare Part B is good idea to add to FEHB coverage. If you do and you are in the NALC High Option Plan, Medicare B is your primary insurance and the NALC Plan is your secondary. With this combination you almost always will have no out of pocket expenses for Doctors or Specialists, in network visits. If however you are happy with the way your insurance is covered now you DO NOT have to sign up for Medicare B. If you are still working for the USPS and are over 65 you do not have to sign up at this time, BUT when you do retire and if it is after January 1, 2025, you will be required to take Medicare B. Failure to do so will result in the loss of your FEHB benefits. The only exceptions would be…
A) If you get your insurance from another source such as the Department of Veterans Affairs through Tricare or
B) If you live in a location where there is no Medicare coverage such as a foreign country.
Please look over carefully any communications coming from either OPM or the NALC in the coming weeks and months.
I have received many questions about the Silver Script prescription plan which began this year for those annuitants that have Medicare Part B and the NALCHBP. This is a Medicare Part D prescription plan that is only available through our plan and our prescription provider CVS Caremark. Because of our partnership with CVS Caremark any prescription you have in the Silver Script plan will be the same or a lower cost to the member. There have been cost quotes that have been higher or members told that their prescription is not covered from the pharmacy. Usually this is due to a couple of common reasons. First if you receive a manufacturer’s discount coupon or your Doctor sets a coupon up for you, Silver Script will not cover it. Another reason could be that the member has a “Letter of Necessity” on file with NALCHBP. Silver Script is technically a Medicare D program therefore that “Letter of Necessity” is not on file with them. If you have these or any other issues regarding Silver Script call the NALCHBP at 1-888-636-6252 and listen for the prompt for Silver Script. There you can talk to someone to help fix your issue. Also should you decide that you want to opt out or opt in to Silver Script you do not have to wait for open season but you must make your request in writing. I am available to help at the branch Wednesdays from 5PM-8PM at 631-789-1616. Wishing all of you good health.
