Retiree and COBRA Information

As in the past, we continue to offer those who retired on or after Jan. 1, 2006, and their eligible dependents the choice of three health plan options: SUBlue, SUOrange and SUPro. Please visit the health plan information webpage for additional information on member cost sharing, plan design and finding an in-network provider. These plans include medical benefits administered by Excellus BCBS and prescription drug benefits (for those who are eligible) administered by Optum Rx.

As a reminder, for those who are eligible for prescription drug coverage, Optum Rx regularly evaluates and makes changes to the prescription drug formulary and programs that focus on safety and proper usage of certain prescriptions. If there are changes that may impact you, Optum Rx will notify you prior to Jan. 1 with additional information.

The full list of benefit rates for post-2006 retirees [PDF] includes the contributions required for individuals enrolled in the SUBlue, SUOrange and SUPro plans.

Remember, the University offers an Opt Out/Opt In provision to individuals who are eligible for subsidized retiree health care coverage through the University. This provision gives you the ability to waive out of the retiree health plans with the option to opt back in at a later date, as long as you have had continuous coverage or are Medicare-eligible. For more information on the Opt Out/Opt In provision and the applicable eligibility rules, visit our online resources. If you have any questions about opting out of a University plan, you may contact HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042.

Please keep in mind that the University’s plan does not include prescription drug coverage for those who are Medicare-eligible. We recommend that you consider enrolling in a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan once you are eligible for Medicare, and that you make plans three months in advance to replace your Syracuse University prescription coverage when you lose it.

Remember, if you or any of your covered dependents are Medicare-eligible, you and/or they must enroll in Medicare Parts A and B immediately and notify our medical plan administrator. Medicare integration applies to individuals eligible for Medicare whether or not they are enrolled in Medicare; if a Medicare-eligible individual decides not to enroll in Medicare, out-of-pocket costs for claims made under the plan are likely to be significantly higher. If you have questions about this, contact Excellus BCBS at 800.493.0318 (TTY: 800.662.1220).

The University retiree health plans, including SUBlue, SUOrange and SUPro, meet the coverage requirements of the Affordable Care Act. Given the variety of health insurance options available through the Marketplace of private insurers and the subsidies available, you may want to consider whether private insurance is a good option for you and your dependents.

More information about the Marketplace is available by phone at 800.318.2596 (federal) and 855.355.5777 (New York State). You should also compare the coverage and cost of these plans with those available to you through a spouse or domestic partner.

There are several ways to connect with resources that will enable you to make the best decisions for you and your loved ones.

• HR Shared Services is available at 315.443.4042 to answer your personal questions or assist with requests for accommodations. Appointments are available upon request. Walk-ins are welcome.
• If you are eligible under COBRA for dental, please contact Excellus BCBS at 800.493.0318 (TTY: 800.662.1220) with any questions.
• If you are eligible for COBRA for vision, please contact VSP at 800.877.7195 (TTY: 800.428.4833) for vision plan questions.
• Call our dedicated Lifetime Benefit Solutions customer service center at 800.493.0318 (TTY: 800.662.1220) with any billing questions. The hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• To discuss your investment mix or retirement income options, contact TIAA at 855.842.CUSE (2873) (TTY: 800.842.2755).
• Farmers Insurance Group offers retirees the opportunity to participate in Syracuse University’s group auto and home insurance program. For a free quote, call Farmers Insurance Group at 800.438.6388.

Visit the benefit notifications page to review important legal notices. These notifications are for your reference only. You are not required to take any action. However, if you have any questions on how these notifications may apply to your specific situation, please contact HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042.

As in the past, we continue to offer those who retired before Jan. 1, 2006, and their eligible dependents the choice of two health plan options: SUBlue and SUOrange. Please visit the health plan information webpage for additional information on member cost sharing, plan design and finding an in-network provider. These plans include medical benefits administered by Excellus BCBS and prescription drug benefits (for those who are eligible) administered by Optum Rx.

As a reminder, for those who are eligible for prescription drug coverage, Optum Rx regularly evaluates and makes changes to the prescription drug formulary and programs that focus on safety and proper usage of certain prescriptions. If there are changes that may impact you, Optum Rx will notify you prior to Jan. 1 with additional information.

Retirees (and their eligible dependents) who retired before Jan. 1, 2006, who were not yet Medicare-eligible at the time of retirement, have access to subsidized coverage through the end of the five-year period that begins on the date the retiree or dependent became eligible for Medicare.

Upon Medicare eligibility, which generally occurs at age 65, if you or any of your covered dependents are Medicare-eligible, you and/or they must enroll in Medicare Parts A and B immediately and notify our medical plan administrator. Medicare integration applies to individuals eligible for Medicare whether or not they are enrolled in Medicare; if a Medicare-eligible individual decides not to enroll in Medicare, out-of-pocket costs for claims made under the plan are likely to be significantly higher. If you have questions about this, contact Excellus BCBS at 800.493.0318 (TTY: 800.662.1220).

Contributions are required for pre-65 coverage only. Below is the schedule of monthly rates for subsidized coverage.

Schedule A

Schedule B

  * A monthly administrative fee will apply.

Qualifying for Reduced Contributions Under the Health Plan

Depending on your household income and size, you may be eligible for lower health plan contributions under Schedule B. For 2025, eligibility for Schedule B will expand to allow even more employees to qualify. Employees with household incomes under $55,061 for a household of one to under $165,182 for a household of six or more will now qualify for reduced contributions.

If you think you may qualify, complete the application by Dec. 6, 2024. You will be notified after this date if your application is approved.

You must apply each year to receive a reduced rate. For more information on the application process, visit the Schedule B website.

At the end of your five-year period (which began on the date that you became eligible for Medicare), subsidized coverage will end. You may elect to continue Syracuse University retiree health plan coverage on a non-subsidized basis, provided that you enroll in Medicare Parts A and B. Information will be mailed to you from our retiree billing administrator before your coverage ends.

Please keep in mind that because this option does not include prescription drug coverage, you should consider enrolling in a separate Medicare Part D prescription drug plan once you are eligible for Medicare. We recommend that you make plans three months in advance to replace your University prescription coverage.

2025 Non-Subsidized Medical Plan Costs 

* A monthly administrative fee will be added to each invoice.

The University retiree health plans, including SUBlue and SUOrange, meet the coverage requirements of the Affordable Care Act. Given the variety of health insurance options available through the Marketplace of private insurers and the subsidies available, you may want to consider whether private insurance is a good option for you and your dependents.

More information about the Marketplace is available by phone at 800.318.2596 (federal) and 855.355.5777 (New York State). You should also compare the coverage and cost of these plans with those available to you through a spouse or domestic partner.

There are several ways to connect with resources that will enable you to make the best decisions for you and your loved ones.

• HR Shared Services is available at 315.443.4042 to answer your personal questions or assist with requests for accommodations. Appointments are available upon request. Walk-ins are welcome.
• Call our dedicated Excellus BCBS customer service center at 800.493.0318 (TTY: 800.662.1220) if you need additional assistance regarding your personal medical plan questions. Excellus BCBS has expanded hours of operation Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m.-8 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. With prescription drug questions, contact Optum Rx member services at 866.854.2945 (TTY: 711). They are available to assist you 24/7.
• Call our dedicated Lifetime Benefit Solutions customer service center at 800.493.0318 (TTY: 800.662.1220) with any billing questions. The hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• To discuss your investment mix or retirement income options, contact TIAA at 855.842.CUSE (2873) (TTY: 800.842.2755).
• Farmers Insurance Group offers retirees the opportunity to participate in Syracuse University’s group auto and home insurance program. For a free quote, call Farmers Insurance Group at 800.438.6388.

Visit the benefit notifications page to review important legal notices. These notifications are for your reference only. You are not required to take any action. However, if you have any questions on how these notifications may apply to your specific situation, please contact HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042.

COBRA participants have the choice of three health plan options: SUBlue, SUOrange and SUPro. Please visit the health plan information webpage for additional information on member cost sharing, plan design and finding an in-network provider. These plans include medical benefits administered by Excellus BCBS and prescription drug benefits administered by Optum Rx.

As a reminder, Optum Rx regularly evaluates and makes changes to the prescription drug formulary and programs that focus on safety and proper usage of certain prescriptions. If there are changes that may impact you, Optum Rx will notify you prior to Jan. 1 with additional information.

The contributions for all COBRA continuation coverage options are available online.

The University will now offer a new plan with the largest dental provider network in Central New York. After an extensive review, including an independent analysis by a nationally recognized employee benefits consulting firm and supported by the Employee Benefits Assessment Council, Excellus BCBS was selected as the dental insurance provider for faculty and staff effective Jan. 1, 2025. 

• Through Excellus BCBS, you will:
  • • Pay less for dental coverage,
    • Gain access to orthodontia coverage under the comprehensive plan, and
    • Be able to choose dentists from a broad provider network.
• Additionally, vision coverage will be offered as a standalone benefit. You will no longer be required to enroll in dental to have vision coverage through VSP.
• As a reminder, this is the year to make changes to your dental and vision coverage—for a two-year commitment—unless you experience a qualifying life event. As long as you remain eligible, elections will remain in effect through Dec. 31, 2026.
• Be sure to check out the benefit summaries for both the preventive and comprehensive plans to learn more about the dental coverage and understand the options available to you.
• Visit our Dental Plan FAQs webpage for more information including, how to locate in-network providers, obtain member ID cards, and review important coverage details.

If you are enrolled in the SEBF dental/vision plan under COBRA, you may maintain or change your SEBF coverage. Contact SEBF at 855.835.9720 with any questions regarding the coverage options and contributions. SEBF dental and dental with optical COBRA rates are valid from July 1, 2024 through June 30, 2025.

The contributions for all COBRA continuation coverage options are available online.

The health plans, including SUBlue, SUOrange and SUPro, meet the coverage requirements of the Affordable Care Act. Given the variety of health insurance options available through the Marketplace of private insurers and the subsidies available, you may want to consider whether private insurance is a good option for you and your dependents.

More information about the Marketplace is available by phone at 800.318.2596 (federal) and 855.355.5777 (New York State). You should also compare the coverage and cost of these plans with those available to you through a spouse or domestic partner.

There are several ways to connect with resources that will enable you to make the best decisions for you and your loved ones.

• HR Shared Services is available at 315.443.4042 to answer your personal questions or assist with requests for accommodations. Appointments are available upon request. Walk-ins are welcome.
• If you are eligible under COBRA for dental and vision, please contact the Excellus BCBS customer care team at 800.493.0318 (TTY: 800.662.1220) for dental plan questions or VSP at 800.877.7195 (TTY: 800.428.4833) for vision plan questions.
• If you are eligible under COBRA for dental and vision, call our dedicated Lifetime Benefit Solutions customer service center at 800.493.0318 (TTY: 800.662.1220) with billing questions. The hours of operation are Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. and Friday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Visit the benefit notifications page to review important legal notices. These notifications are for your reference only. You are not required to take any action. However, if you have any questions on how these notifications may apply to your specific situation, please contact HR Shared Services at 315.443.4042.