LACERA-ADMINISTERED HEALTH CARE BENEFITS PROGRAM OVERVIEW
LACERA offers retirees a choice of medical plans, as well as two dental/vision plans. Retirees can choose an HMO or Indemnity medical plan, or select a Medicare HMO or supplemental plan. Over 69,000 retirees and dependents are currently enrolled in a LACERA-administered health care benefits program. In addition, for members over sixty-five, we offer Medicare supplement or Medicare HMO plans. For a complete listing of the plans see Health Care Plans. Annually, you will receive a complete package in the mail containing all the LACERA health care options that are available.

MEMBER'S COST
A member's cost for medical/dental insurance varies and is based on the member’s choice of medical plan, number of persons to be covered, and years of service credit. For a member with 10 years of service credit, the County contributes 40% of the selected plan premium or 40% of the benchmark plan premium, whichever is less. For each year of service credit beyond 10 years, the County contributes an additional 4% per year of the selected plan premium or 4% of the benchmark plan premium, up to a maximum of 100% for a member with 25 years of service credit, whichever is less.

NOTE: 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. 

STAYING HEALTHY TOGETHER KICKS OFF PROGRAM 2: FOCUS ON FITNESS
According to the National Institute on Aging, just about every older adult can safely do some form of physical activity at little or no cost. Even household chores can improve your health. To help you incorporate fitness into your daily life, we highlighted several innovative programs designed to increase your motivation, as well as your activity level. Read more... (3-19-08)

ATTENTION: MEDICARE-ELIGIBLE MEMBERS AND DEPENDENTS

• BEWARE of marketing campaigns by outside companies to enroll you in their Medicare prescription drug plans!
• YOU DO NOT NEED ANY ADDITIONAL PRESCRIPTION DRUG INSURANCE.
• You currently have a prescription drug plan through your LACERA-administered medical plan that is AS GOOD, IF NOT BETTER than other Medicare Part D plans.
• DO NOT enroll in other Medicare Part D plans.
• For more information, read the Medicare Part D Warning. (11-9-07)

YOUR LACERA-ADMINISTERED MEDICARE HMO MEDICARE ADVANTAGE-PRESCRIPTION DRUG PLAN (MA-PD) INCLUDES AUTOMATIC PART D COVERAGE
If you are enrolled in any of the following LACERA-administered Medicare HMO MA-PD plans, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part D; no action is required on your part. Your benefits should remain unchanged; we will advise you should there be any changes.

• Kaiser Senior Advantage
• Secure Horizons
• CIGNA Health Care for Seniors, Arizona
• SCAN

MEDICARE PRESCRIPTION DRUG
Effective January 1, 2006, in compliance with the Medicare Prescription Drug Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 (MMA), Medicare introduced a new prescription drug benefit, called Medicare Part D.

If you are currently enrolled in a LACERA-administered health care plan, you should not enroll in an individual Medicare Part D plan before consulting with us first. (If you do, you may jeopardize your coverage with LACERA.) If you are enrolled in a Medicare Part D plan not offered through LACERA, contact LACERA immediately. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) will not allow both; your coverage with LACERA may be jeopardized. For questions, please call LACERA at 800-786-6464 or 626-564-6132 and press 1 to speak with a Health Care Benefit Specialist. (5-22-08)