Retired Members Health Plan
Caring for those who serve doesn't stop at retirement. The Conference Board of Pensions (BOP) is committed to caring for those who serve and their spouses through the duration of their retirement. Providing affordable and sustainable retiree medical options is a part of our commitment to caring for our retirees. Whether you're Medicare-eligible or have a few months (or years!) before turning 65, the BOP will be there to ensure coverage options are accessible and available for you!
Eligibility
Regardless of the retiree health plan option you choose, to be eligible for retiree health benefits, you must be participating in the active members health plan (HealthFlex) at the time of your retirement. Spouses must also be covered in HealthFlex to be eligible for retiree medical benefits.
Non-Medicare-eligible Retirees (pre aged 65)
Retirees and/or spouses of the Kentucky Conference who are not yet Medicare-eligible (pre-65) at the time of the clergy's retirement have the option to remain covered by HealthFlex until such time as they become Medicare-eligible. Retirees must be enrolled in HealthFlex at the time of their retirement. The Conference Benefits Office will work with you on continuing your coverage in HealthFlex.
Many of the HealthFlex resources and guides that were available to you as an active member are still available today. Visit the Active Health Plan page to access all of these great resources.
If remaining covered in HealthFlex doesn't fit your needs, participants may also choose to exit-and-return. Talk to the Conference Benefits Office about this process.
Medicare-eligible retirees
Since 2016, the BOP has partnered with Wespath to offer coverage to its Medicare-eligible retirees through Via Benefits. Via Benefits is a company focused on linking Medicare-eligible participants with Medicare supplemental plans, offering more choices for participants and their spouses.
The Via Benefits FAQ guide can help answer some of the most commonly asked questions by participants.
Additionally, the Via Benefits New Health Coverage with More Choices Brochure helps you understand the different parts of Medicare, your options, how the HRAs work, and how Via Benefits can assist you.
Licensed benefit advisors are available to help you choose a plan, enroll in coverage, and set-up reimbursements to you from your HRA (information below). To contact Via Benefits, please visit their website Via Benefits or call 1-866-249-7785.
Medicare Enrollment
To participate in Via Benefits, you must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services makes this process simple. To get started, visit Medicare.gov to enroll online or contact a Medicare representative. Participants may begin enrolling in Medicare Parts A and B as early as 3-months prior to their effective date.
Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
The BOP provides a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) to eligible retirees and spouses. Beginning January 1, 2022, each eligible participant will receive $110 for each year of participation in the active health plan, plus a base contribution of $300, not to exceed $2,500 total for the plan year. Spouses and surviving spouses will be credited the same years of participation as the retired employee.
HRA Schedule as of January 1, 2022
For questions, call the Benefits Administrator, at 502-425-3884 or 1-800-530-7236 (toll free). Email at benefits@kyumc.org.