Retiree: Health Insurance

Group Health Plan coverage is available to all retirees if you meet the following eligibility requirements:

• You are a participant in the FRS Pension Plan and are leaving County service to receive regular, early, or disability retirement benefits, or
• You are a participant in the FRS Investment Plan, are leaving County service and either meet the age and service requirements to qualify for normal retirement (age 62 and vested or 30 years of service) or have 6 years of creditable service and have reached age 59 1/2.
• Your Enrollment Form must be received by the Benefits Division within 31 days of your leaving active employment. This is your only opportunity to enroll in the group plans.
• Both Health Plans require that you reside in the United States.

• Plan design and premiums can be changed at any time with approval from the Board of County Commissioners.

• Enrollment of family members is subject to the eligibility provisions and pre-existing condition limitations of the Group Health Plan.

 

Domestic Partner Coverage:

 

Retirees may obtain Group Health Plan coverage for domestic partners (see affidavit form link below). Only the employee portion of the health and/or dental plan premium can be a pre-tax payroll deduction. The portion pertaining to the partner and children of the partner is post-tax.

 

• FAQs re Domestic Partner Benefits
• Affidavit of Domestic Partnership

 

Effective Date of Coverage:

 

• Active employee benefits terminate on the last day of the month following your termination date.
• Retiree health benefits will commence on the first day of the following month.

 

Options for Non-Medicare Eligible Retirees:

 

As a retiree, you may enroll in the United Healthcare Point of Service (POS) or the Consumer Driven Plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA) if neither you nor any of your covered dependents are Medicare eligible. These are the same choices you had as an active employee.

 

Health Plan Options
Employees have a choice of two health plans from United Healthcare: Point of Service (POS) and Consumer Driven with a Health Savings Account (HSA)
Point of Service Plan (POS): Plan Description Summary	Consumer Driven Plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA): Plan Description Summary
Health Plans Comparison Chart 2017 Health Plan Rates for Non-Medicare Eligible Retirees Benefits Handbook Health Plan Cost Estimator: User ID: Pinellas2017, Password: Benefits2017 (case sensitive). Use this tool to input your medical and prescription needs in order to receive a detailed estimate of costs for both health plans.     Both health plans are administered by United Healthcare. Both offer both in-network and out-of-network benefits. Both have the same network of hospitals and doctors. Both are open access, which means you may use any network physician, you do not have to select a primary care physician, and you do not need a referral to see a specialist. Both cover the same benefits, limitations, and exclusions. There are some distinct differences so please compare the plans carefully.
All employees and dependents who enroll in one of the health plans are provided the following coverage: Prescription Drug Plan Employee Assistance Program (EAP) and Managed Mental Health Vision Care Program

 

 

Non-Medicare United Healthcare Resources:

 

Non-Medicare retirees can visit United Healthcare at www.myuhc.com to:

 

• Review claims information and health care expenses
• Use myHealthcare Cost Estimator to compare costs for a treatment or procedure such as an MRI or knee replacement
• Complete a health assessment
• Check your rewards points
• View Preventive Care Guidelines
• Access health care topics
• Print temporary ID cards and order ID cards

 

For more information:

 

• Contact United Healthcare Member Services at the toll-free number for non-Medicare retirees: (888) 478-4752 (number is also listed on the back of your ID card).
• Call the free NurseLine for a non-emergency health care concern at (800) 846-4678 (number is also listed on the back of your ID card).
  

 

Options for Medicare Eligible Retirees:

 

When at least one covered family member becomes Medicare eligible (because of age or disability), the Medicare eligible member may enroll in the Medicare Advantage PPO plan. Any non-Medicare eligible family member will be enrolled in the Choice Plus POS plan.


The Medicare Advantage PPO plan is United Healthcare's Medicare replacement plan specifically designed for Pinellas County Government retirees and their dependents. It offers medical, prescription, mental health and vision benefits.

 

• 2017 Health Plan Rates for Medicare Eligible Retirees
• FAQs: Medicare Advantage PPO Frequently Asked Questions
• You and your covered dependents are required to enroll in Medicare A and B as soon as eligible.
• Medicare eligibility is not solely based on age.
• If you do not enroll when eligible, you risk incurring greater cost for the coverage from the Social Security Administration.
• If you do not enroll when eligible, you risk losing your coverage through Pinellas County.
• You must notify the Benefits Division at (727) 464-4570 immediately when you or your covered dependent becomes Medicare-eligible.
• Send a copy of the Medicare card to the Benefits Division either by mail (Pinellas County Government, Employee Benefits Division, 400 South Fort Harrison Avenue, 4th Floor, Clearwater, Florida 33756-5113) or by email.
• When electing your Medicare benefits, if you are going to continue your coverage through Pinellas County, DO NOT enroll in Medicare D when it is offered to you. If you enroll in Medicare D, you will lose your health plan coverage under Pinellas County Government. You will not be permitted to enroll back into our plan at a later date.

 

Medicare Retiree United Healthcare Resources:

 

Medicare retirees can visit United Healthcare at www.uhcretiree.com to:

 

• Review claims information and health care expenses
• Use myHealthcare Cost Estimator to compare costs for procedures such as an MRI or knee replacement
• Locate providers or hospitals
• View Preventive Care Guidelines
• Personalize your health journey with access to health care tools
• Print temporary ID cards and order ID cards

 

For more information:

 

• Contact United Healthcare Member Services at the toll-free number for Medicare retirees: (800) 457-8506 (number is also listed on the back of your ID card).
• Call the free NurseLine at (877) 365-7949 for non-emergency health care concerns (number is also listed on the back of your ID card).

 

HIPAA:

 

• The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act is known as HIPAA.
• HIPAA protects plan participants by limiting exclusions for preexisting medical conditions.
• The law also requires plans to adopt Group Health Plan Privacy Practices with regard to employees' confidential medical information.

 

 

Return to top