Opt Out/Opt In Provision
Opt Out/Opt In is a provision of the Syracuse University Retiree Medical Benefits Plan (Plan) for individuals who are eligible for subsidized retiree health care coverage. The Opt Out/Opt In provision allows eligible individuals the ability to waive out of the Plan with the option to opt back into the Plan at a later date, under certain circumstances. This feature offers individuals the flexibility to consider other options that may better suit their needs.
The requirements for opting back in depend on Medicare eligibility:
- Not Eligible for Medicare – If the retiree or dependent is not eligible for Medicare on the date selected for opting back into coverage, he or she can opt back into coverage only if he or she can provide written proof of continuous medical coverage for the entire period that he or she was not covered by the Plan as a result of the opt out election. Proof must be provided in such form and manner as specified by the Office of Human Resources. There is no limit on the number of times a retiree or dependent can opt into the Plan under this eligibility requirement.
- Eligible for Medicare – If the retiree or dependent is eligible for Medicare on the date selected for opting back into coverage, he or she can do so without providing proof of continuous medical coverage. A retiree or dependent can opt into the Plan only once under this eligibility requirement.
A retiree or eligible dependent can opt back into the Plan only if he or she formally opted out of a plan coverage option (SUBlue, SUOrange, or SUPro), which is recorded in the records of the Office of Human Resources. Upon opting back into the Plan due to a qualifying life event or Medicare eligibility, if a family member is already enrolled, the participants opting in must enroll in that same plan coverage option. If there are no family members enrolled in a plan coverage option, the participants may choose whichever plan coverage option they wish to enroll in. During open enrollment for the Plan, the retiree and their family members may switch their plan coverage option, but they must all be enrolled in the same plan coverage option.
The Opt Out/Opt In provision is not available to individuals who are no longer participating in the Retiree Medical Benefits Plan as of Jan. 1, 2008 or to individuals who are receiving non-subsidized retiree health care coverage through the University.
Should you have any questions, or require accommodations to access any information on this webpage, please reach out to HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042.
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The benefits listed above apply as indicated to retired and emeritus faculty and retired staff members of Syracuse University. All benefits programs are subject to change. If any discrepancies exist between program-related communications and the Plan Document, the terms and conditions detailed in the Plan Document will control.