{"id":2781,"date":"2019-08-16T15:30:54","date_gmt":"2019-08-16T19:30:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/openenrollment.syr.edu\/?page_id=2781"},"modified":"2026-10-28T15:00:00","modified_gmt":"2026-10-28T19:00:00","slug":"retirees","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/hr.syr.edu\/openenrollment\/retirees\/","title":{"rendered":"Retiree and COBRA Information"},"content":{"rendered":"<p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><span>Explore your <\/span><strong><span>2027<\/span><\/strong> health coverage<span> options and review the plans and resources available to you. To make changes to your benefits during the <\/span><strong><span>Nov. 23\u2013Dec. 4 <\/span><\/strong><span>Open<\/span><span> Enrollment period, contact Lifetime Benefit Solutions at <\/span><strong><span>800.493.0318<\/span><\/strong><span> (TTY: 800.662.1220), M<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 1.25rem\">onday\u2013Thursday, <\/span><strong style=\"font-size: 1.25rem\">8 a.m.\u20135 p.m. <\/strong>and<span style=\"font-size: 1.25rem\">\u00a0Friday, <\/span><strong style=\"font-size: 1.25rem\">9 a.m.\u20135 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\">Need accommodations or have other questions? Contact<span> <\/span><strong><a href=\"mailto:hrservice@syr.edu\">HR Shared Services <\/a><\/strong><span>at <\/span><strong>315.443.4042<\/strong><span>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Resources and Benefit Information<\/h2>\n\n\n<div role=\"region\" class=\"accordion\">\n      <div class=\"accordion-item border border-gray-light\">\n      <div class=\"accordion-header-text\">\n        <h3 class=\"margin-bottom-0\">\n          <button class=\"accordion-header full-width background-gray-light-30 border-0 margin-0 padding-top-2 padding-bottom-2 padding-left-3 padding-right-3\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            Questions About Benefits?            <div class='accordion-toggle icon-right' class=''>\n              <i class='icon-chevron-right'><\/i>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/h3>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class='accordion-content'>\n        <h4>Multiple resources are available to help with benefit decisions:<\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"mailto:hrservice@syr.edu\"><strong>HR Shared Services<\/strong><\/a>: Available <strong>8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.,<\/strong> Monday through Friday, at <strong>315.443.4042<\/strong>. Appointments are available on request.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Excellus BCBS (medical and dental plan inquiries):<\/strong> Contact <strong>800.493.0318<\/strong> (TTY: 800.662.1220), Monday through Thursday, <strong>8 a.m. to 8 p.m.<\/strong> and Friday, <strong>9 a.m. to 8 p.m.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>VSP<\/strong> <strong>(vision plan inquiries): <\/strong>Contact\u00a0<strong>800.877.7195<\/strong>\u00a0(TTY: 800.428.4833)<\/li>\n<li><strong>Lifetime Benefit Solutions (billing):<\/strong> Contact\u00a0 <strong>800.493.0318\u00a0<\/strong>(TTY: 800.662.1220), Monday through Thursday from <strong>8 a.m.-5 p.m.<\/strong> and Friday from <strong>9 a.m.-5 p.m.<\/strong><\/li>\n<li><strong>TIAA (retirement planning):<\/strong> Schedule a consultation with a University-dedicated financial consultant at <strong>855.842.CUSE<\/strong> (TTY: 800.842.2755) or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tiaa.org\/public\/tcm\/syr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>sign up online<\/strong><\/a>.<\/li>\n<li><span>Visit the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hr.syr.edu\/openenrollment\/benefit-notifications\/\"><strong>benefit notifications page <\/strong><\/a><span>to review important legal notices. These are for your reference only\u2014no action required.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n      <div class=\"accordion-item border border-gray-light\">\n      <div class=\"accordion-header-text\">\n        <h3 class=\"margin-bottom-0\">\n          <button class=\"accordion-header full-width background-gray-light-30 border-0 margin-0 padding-top-2 padding-bottom-2 padding-left-3 padding-right-3\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            Health Plan            <div class='accordion-toggle icon-right' class=''>\n              <i class='icon-chevron-right'><\/i>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/h3>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class='accordion-content'>\n        <p>Choose from three comprehensive health plans with national and international medical coverage through <strong>Excellus BCBS<\/strong> and prescription drug benefits through<strong> Optum Rx<\/strong> (for COBRA and pre-65 retirees).\u00a0 All three plans cover the same services &#8211; only your share of costs differs. Full coverage details can be found on the<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hr.syr.edu\/benefits\/health-benefits\/medical\/\"><strong>health plan information webpage.<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Retirees:<\/strong> Visit the <a href=\"https:\/\/hr.syr.edu\/information-for\/retirees\/health-benefits-for-retirees\/\"><strong>health benefits for retirees webpage<\/strong><\/a> for information about coverage rules and coordination with Medicare.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Important Reminders: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>SUOrange has no out-of-network coverage.<\/strong> You&#8217;ll pay the full cost for any out-of-network services. If your current provider may leave the Excellus BCBS network in <strong>2027<\/strong>, consider enrolling in SUBlue or SUPro for out-of-network access, or find other in-network providers at the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.excellusbcbs.com\/CareOptions\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>Excellus BCBS website.<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>Prescription drug formulary updates.<\/strong> Optum Rx regularly reviews and updates its formulary for safety and proper medication use. You&#8217;ll receive notification if changes affect your prescriptions.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Syracuse University&#8217;s health plans meet Affordable Care Act requirements.<\/strong> You may also explore Health Insurance Marketplace options, which offer income-based subsidies, or coverage through a spouse or domestic partner. Information on the Marketplace can be found:\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Federal:<\/strong> 800.318.2596 or\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.healthcare.gov\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>HealthCare.gov<\/strong><\/a><\/li>\n<li><strong>New York State:<\/strong> 855.355.57<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul><\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none\">\n<ul><\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n      <div class=\"accordion-item border border-gray-light\">\n      <div class=\"accordion-header-text\">\n        <h3 class=\"margin-bottom-0\">\n          <button class=\"accordion-header full-width background-gray-light-30 border-0 margin-0 padding-top-2 padding-bottom-2 padding-left-3 padding-right-3\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            Dental and Vision Plans            <div class='accordion-toggle icon-right' class=''>\n              <i class='icon-chevron-right'><\/i>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/h3>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class='accordion-content'>\n        <p>Two dental plans are offered (for those who are eligible):<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/hr.syr.edu\/openenrollment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/12\/SU-Preventive-Dental-Benefit-Summary.pdf\"><strong>Preventive Plan<\/strong><\/a><strong>:<\/strong> Covers two annual cleanings and other basic services.<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/hr.syr.edu\/openenrollment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2024\/10\/SU-Comprehensive-Dental-Benefit-Summary.pdf\"><strong>Comprehensive Plan<\/strong><\/a><strong>: <\/strong><strong><\/strong>Covers basic and major restorative services, including oral surgery, endodontics, periodontics, prosthodontics and orthodontics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Both plans include in-network and out-of-network providers. Using in-network providers maximizes your benefits.<\/p>\n<p>The VSP vision plan covers routine eye exams, contact lens care, glasses and frames.<\/p>\n<p>Full coverage details are available on the <a href=\"https:\/\/hr.syr.edu\/benefits\/health-benefits\/dental-and-vision\/\"><strong>dental and vision webpage<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>If you are enrolled in the SEBF dental\/vision plan under COBRA, you may maintain or change your SEBF coverage. Contact SEBF at\u00a0<strong>855.835.9720<\/strong><span>\u00a0<\/span>with any questions regarding the coverage options and contributions. SEBF dental and dental with optical COBRA rates are valid from <strong>July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.<\/strong><\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Your Cost<\/h2>\n\n\n<div role=\"region\" class=\"accordion\">\n      <div class=\"accordion-item border border-gray-light\">\n      <div class=\"accordion-header-text\">\n        <h3 class=\"margin-bottom-0\">\n          <button class=\"accordion-header full-width background-gray-light-30 border-0 margin-0 padding-top-2 padding-bottom-2 padding-left-3 padding-right-3\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            Retiree            <div class='accordion-toggle icon-right' class=''>\n              <i class='icon-chevron-right'><\/i>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/h3>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class='accordion-content'>\n        <p><strong>Health Plan:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>View the<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/hr.syr.edu\/openenrollment\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/10\/2027-Retiree-Rates-Accessible.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>full list of benefit rates for post-2007 retirees [PDF], <\/strong><\/a>which i<span>ncludes contributions for SUBlue, SUOrange, and SUPro plans. <\/span>If you retired before <strong>Jan. 1, 2006<\/strong> and you have exhausted your five-year period, you pay the non-subsidized rates which are included in the first line of the chart.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Opt Out\/Opt In Provision: <\/strong>You can waive retiree health coverage and opt back in later if you maintain continuous coverage or are Medicare-eligible. Visit these <a href=\"https:\/\/hr.syr.edu\/information-for\/retirees\/health-benefits-for-retirees\/health-benefits-for-retirement-on-or-after-january-1-2006\/retiree-opt-outopt-in\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>online resources<\/strong><\/a> for eligibility rules or contact<span>\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"mailto:hrservice@syr.edu\"><strong>HR Shared Services<\/strong><\/a><span>\u00a0<\/span>at\u00a0<strong>315.443.4042 <\/strong>with questions.<\/p>\n<p class=\"whitespace-normal break-words\"><strong>Dental and Vision: <\/strong>View the rates for COBRA continuation of dental and vision coverage <strong><a href=\"https:\/\/hr.syr.edu\/benefits\/health-benefits\/cobra-rates\/\">online<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Billing Questions: <\/strong>Contact <strong>Lifetime Benefit Solutions <\/strong>at\u00a0<strong>800.493.0318\u00a0<\/strong>(TTY: 800.662.1220)<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n      <div class=\"accordion-item border border-gray-light\">\n      <div class=\"accordion-header-text\">\n        <h3 class=\"margin-bottom-0\">\n          <button class=\"accordion-header full-width background-gray-light-30 border-0 margin-0 padding-top-2 padding-bottom-2 padding-left-3 padding-right-3\" aria-expanded=\"false\">\n            COBRA             <div class='accordion-toggle icon-right' class=''>\n              <i class='icon-chevron-right'><\/i>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/h3>\n      <\/div>\n      <div class='accordion-content'>\n        <p><span>View the rates for COBRA continuation coverage <\/span><strong><a href=\"https:\/\/hr.syr.edu\/benefits\/health-benefits\/cobra-rates\">online<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Contact <strong>Lifetime Benefit Solutions <\/strong>at\u00a0<strong>800.493.0318\u00a0<\/strong>(TTY: 800.662.1220) with any billing questions.<\/p>\n      <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n<hr \/>\n<p><em>Every effort has been made to ensure that the information contained within this website is accurate. However, benefits are governed by legal documents (which, in certain circumstances, may include insurance contracts). If there is any difference between the information on this website and the official documents, the official documents will control. As is the case with all of Syracuse University\u2019s benefit plans, the University reserves the right to modify or terminate these benefits at any time.<\/em><\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Explore your 2027 health coverage options and review the plans and resources available to you. To make changes to your benefits during the Nov. 23\u2013Dec. 4 Open Enrollment period, contact Lifetime Benefit Solutions at 800.493.0318 (TTY: 800.662.1220), Monday\u2013Thursday, 8 a.m.\u20135 p.m. and\u00a0Friday, 9 a.m.\u20135 p.m. Need accommodations or have other questions? Contact HR Shared Services&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":14,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":4,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"templates\/full-width.php","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"wds_primary_featured-nav":0,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-2781","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","featured-nav-header"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/hr.syr.edu\/openenrollment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2781","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/hr.syr.edu\/openenrollment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/hr.syr.edu\/openenrollment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hr.syr.edu\/openenrollment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/14"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/hr.syr.edu\/openenrollment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2781"}],"version-history":[{"count":245,"href":"https:\/\/hr.syr.edu\/openenrollment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2781\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":6690,"href":"https:\/\/hr.syr.edu\/openenrollment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2781\/revisions\/6690"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/hr.syr.edu\/openenrollment\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2781"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}