Benefits

Eligibility for Retiree Health Insurance

Health Insurance

Medical Plan Choices

Health Insurance Premiums

COBRA

Retiring at 65 or Older

Retiring Out-of-State or Internationally

Continuation of Supplemental Insurances

Eligibility for Retiree Health Insurance

To continue to receive the Public Employee Benefit Program (PEBP) health insurance plan in retirement, you must meet the following criteria:

• Have participated in either the Retirement Plan Alternative 401(a) program, or the Public Employees’ Retirement Plan of Nevada System for at least 5 years as a full-time employee or the equivalent of a full-time employee.
• Be receiving any distribution of benefits from one of the following retirement plans:
• The Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS);
• Nevada System of Higher Education Retirement Plan Alternative Program
• Nevada System of Higher Education Tax Sheltered Annuity Program
• State of Nevada Deferred Compensation Program

Health Insurance

Your insurance package in retirement includes:

Medical (choice of plan)

Dental

Vision

Life insurance - $10,000

This is the same coverage you have as an active employee and will continue to be your primary insurance until you qualify for Medicare (generally age 65).

Medical Plan Choices

PEBP provides a comprehensive benefit program to retirees and your covered family members that includes a choice of medical plan, dental and life insurance.  If you or any of your covered family members are Medicare-eligible, then Medicare is the primary payer and PEBP the secondary payer.   All of the provisions of the health care benefits are subject to change, including plans offered, services covered, payment arrangements, and NSHE’s contributions towards premiums.

Overview of PEBP Health Insurance Benefits for Retirees

Self-funded PPO Medical Plan is a comprehensive major medical plan which offers a network of doctors and health care facilities that provides medical services at discounted rates. The Self-funded PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) offers medical, prescription, and vision coverage. Participants have the choice of using contracted PPO providers (in-network) or non-contracted (out-of-network) medical providers at a reduced benefit level. Coverage is avail­able to individuals residing or traveling both in-state (Nevada) and out-of-state. Additionally, the PPO plan offers access to health care services worldwide.

Self-funded PPO Dental Plan: PEBP offers only one dental plan for all participants. Whether the participant enrolls in one of the HMO plans, or the Self-funded PPO Medical Plan, only one dental plan is available. The Self-funded PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) Dental Plan is a self-insured plan. Participants have the choice of using contracted PPO dental providers (in-­network) or non-contracted (out-of-network) dental providers at a reduced benefit level. A summary of the benefits available under the dental plan is available on the Benefits-at-a-Glance.

Health Plan of Nevada (HPN) is a fully-insured plan providing medical, pharmacy, and vision benefits using a distinct group of doctors, facilities and other health care professionals. HPN requires enrollees to choose a Primary Care Physician (PCP) to assist in coordinating medical treatment. HPN is offered to individuals residing in Esmeralda, Nye and Clark counties.

Senior Dimensions Retiree Choice Plus Plan provides coverage for medical, pharmacy, and vision benefits when accessing services in-network. Senior Dimensions offers the same services and supplies covered by Medicare, plus additional services and supplies not covered by Medicare. Individuals are required to choose a Primary Care Physician that will assist them in coordinating health services. Senior Dimensions Retiree Choice Plus Plan is offered to individuals enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B who reside in the following counties:
Southern Nevada: Esmeralda, Nye, and Clark counties
Northern Nevada: Washoe, Lyon and Mineral counties

Anthem HMO Nevada is a fully-insured medical plan offering comprehensive medical, phar­macy, and vision coverage. Anthem HMO Nevada uses a distinct group of network doctors and health care facilities. Individuals enrolling in Anthem HMO Nevada are required to choose a Primary Care Physician. In addition, Anthem offers a self-referral Open Access program which allows participants to access services from in-network specialists without obtaining the Primary Care Physician's referral. Anthem HMO Nevada is offered in the following areas: Carson City, Churchill, Douglas, Elko, Eureka, Humboldt, Lander, Lyon, Mineral, Pershing, Storey, Washoe, and White Pine counties. Note: retirees (and covered spouses) age 65 and older must have Medicare Parts A and B to enroll in Anthem.

Please refer to the Benefits-at-a-Glance for an easy to read comparison of the PEBP plan offerings.

Health Insurance Premiums

The State of Nevada provides subsidized insurance for all retirees.  The level of subsidy is related to the years of service you have provided to the State of Nevada.  The minimum subsidy is for 5 years of service and the maximum is for twenty years of service. 

The retiree health insurance premiums and the subsidy schedule are provided at the link below.  In order to calculate your final monthly premium you will need to identify the rate associated with your chosen medical plan and, on the page following, locate your years of service adjustment, add or subtract that amount to/from the Retiree Share Column.

Retiree Health Insurance Premiums can be found under Retiree Information on the Human Resources website, or by clicking here.

You are responsible for paying the retiree health insurance premium. You can choose to be billed for the premium on a monthly basis, or have the premium automatically charged to your Visa or Mastercard.  If you are receiving a retirement check from the Public Employee’s Retirement System of Nevada (PERS), the premium is deducted from your retirement check.  For all other employee’s you will complete the necessary paperwork when you meet with the BCN Benefits Manager.

COBRA Continuation

If you are not eligible for continuation of the health insurance plan in retirement as outlined above, you may be eligible to continue the coverage as provided under the federal COBRA law for up to 18 months, or until you become eligible for Medicare. You are responsible for the full premium payment.

You will receive a COBRA notification by mail. Follow the instructions in the letter or you may contact PEBP at (800) 326-5496 to enroll in COBRA coverage.

Retiring at 65 or Older

Once you are 65 and retired, the State of Nevada requires that you enroll in Medicare. 

Part A is required ONLY if you qualify for premium free Medicare A coverage.

Part B is required for all retirees and spouses age 65 and over.

Exception: If you are retiring after reaching 65, or are covering a spouse who is 65 or older at the time of your retirement, there is only a conditional penalty for late enrollment. This penalty may be avoided as long as you provide Social Security with verification that you were covered by the PEBP group plan during the period between reaching 65 and retiring. Social Security will provide you with a form to verify your group health coverage; you should bring this form to the BCN Benefits Office for completion. This form should be completed and submitted no later than 30 days after retirement in order to avoid this penalty.

Retiring Out-of-State or Internationally

The Self-funded PPO (Preferred Provider Organization) Plan is a network of healthcare providers who provide services and supplies at a discounted rate.  The Self-funded PPO Plan Offers the out-of-state network for participants who reside outside of Nevada. 
Retirees enrolling in the Self-funded PPO Medical Plan are required to select a network based upon the state where they reside.  For those retirees who reside out of Nevada, they should select the Beech Street PPO Network.

Continuation of Supplemental Insurance

The following information is provided as a courtesy to retiring employees.  If there are any discrepancies between this information and information provided by any Supplemental Insurance or Retirement Company, the Supplemental Insurance or Retirement Company will supersede.

Supplemental Life Insurance

To continue the supplement life insurance through Standard Insurance contact Standard Insurance at 1-888-288-1270.

To continue the supplement life insurance through Western Insurance Specialties (WIS) contact WIS at 1-800-342-0707 or (775) 826-2333 in the Reno area. After contacting WIS, you will be sent the appropriate form to be billed directly.  Rates can increase and there will be a billing fee. 

Section 125 Flexible Spending Account(s)

The participant will be receiving notification from ASI regarding continuation of the Reimbursement Account(s).  Participants must respond within 60 days of the notice if they wish to continue.  If the participant does not continue the account by remitting the monthly amount to ASI on a post-tax basis, the participant will not receive reimbursement for any services that occur after the date participant ceased payment.     

Cancer Insurance

To continue this insurance, contact American Fidelity Assurance Company at 1-800-323-3748, ext. 5561 or (775) 829-1313 in the Reno area.  No change in premium; no change in benefit.

Personal Accident Insurance

To continue this insurance, contact The Hartford Administration, AD&D Conversation Processing at 1-800-603-1212. Rates will increase through the conversion process.

 

AFLAC products

For the following programs (Intensive Care, Specified Health Event, Hospital Indemnity, & Long Term Care), AFLAC will send the participant a letter once notified by Human Resources that participant has terminated/ retired.  For assistance, participant may contact AFLAC at (775) 322-9393 in Reno.

Colonial Life & UNUM Products

To continue these insurance programs (Disability, Hospital Income, Cancer & Intensive Care, Universal Life, and Long Term Care), contact Colonial at (702) 562-9663.  No change in premium or benefit for most programs.

Liberty Mutual Automobile & Homeowners Insurance

To continue this insurance, contact (775) 827-1000 in the Reno area.  If employee is billed at home, there will be a finance charge unless employee pays yearly.  Rate change upon renewal.