LACERA has a variety of health care plans for medical, dental and vision. Select from several Anthem Blue Cross indemnity medical plans including Prudent Buyer and the CVS/Caremark Prescription Drug program. HMO plans available include Kaiser, PacifiCare, and the CIGNA Network Model Plan.  In addition, for members over 65, we offer Medicare HMO and Medicare Supplement plans. Each plan will be covered briefly within this section.

Keep in mind that when you retire, you must select a new medical, dental, and vision plan within sixty days of your retirement. Your active member medical coverage will not continue after retirement. 

You will receive an Exploring Your Health Care Benefits Through LACERA package which contains information describing your retirement health care options.  Also enclosed within the mailer will be a postcard to be filled out and returned to us for specific information about any of the plans.

PLAN LIMITATIONS AND EXCLUSIONS
Each LACERA-administered health care plan has its own exclusions, limitations, arbitration provisions and contracts with Medicare with respect to health care services they provide to their members. These provisions are not included in the Administrative Guide. Please refer to the booklets, brochures, and documents for each plan and read them carefully to become familiar with the provisions as they apply to the plan in which you are enrolled. You can obtain plan booklets and brochures by requesting them directly from the insurance carrier.

RETIREE HEALTH CARE BENEFITS FOR DOMESTIC PARTNERS
At its meeting on December 16, 2003, the Board of Supervisors approved Retiree Health Care benefits for Domestic Partners and their eligible dependents.

If you wish to enroll your eligible domestic partner in the LACERA-administered health care benefits program, contact us for the appropriate enrollment form and return the completed form with your original certificate issued by the State of California. Your original certificate will be returned to you. You must add a newly registered domestic partner within 30 days of acquiring the California State Certificate of Domestic Partnership or late enrollment rules will apply.

For information regarding applying for a Certificate of Domestic Partnership, contact the State of California at 916-653-4984.

For insurance enrollment forms, contact LACERA at 1-800-786-6464 or email us. (7-30-04)

RETIREE HEALTH INSURANCE RECIPROCITY PROGRAM:
LA County and City of Los Angeles
Los Angeles County and the City of Los Angeles (LACERS) have contracted to provide a retiree health insurance reciprocity program for general members who meet established eligibility requirements. Eligibility is determined by the member’s retirement date and the years of service with each system. (Certain conditions apply.)

The election of either the LACERA or LACERS-administered health care program by enrollees in this reciprocity program is irrevocable.

If you believe you are eligible for the LACERA-LACERS retiree health insurance reciprocity program, call 1-800-786-6464 and press 1 to speak with a LACERA Health Care Benefit Specialist. (5-22-08)