The Via Benets Advocate Benefits Coverage Checkup It’s important to review your options during Open Enrollment, even if you decide to stay with your current coverage. The checkup

1 Fall 2018 Medicare Newsletter

Medicare Open EnrollmentMedicare’s Open Enrollment is approaching. Open Enrollment is a great opportunity for you to assess your current coverage to make sure it still fits your needs. From October 15 to December 7 you can change your Medicare Advantage or Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plan for the following year. You can switch from Original Medicare (Parts A and B) or Medicare Supplement Insurance (Medigap) to a Medicare Advantage plan, change Medicare Advantage or Part D Prescription Drug plans, and add or drop Part D prescription drug coverage. Please note that if you opt to switch from a Medicare Advantage plan to a Medigap plan, you may be subject to underwriting.

If you review your current plan(s) for changes to premiums, plan design, and prescription drug formulary adjustments, and determine you want to stay with your current selection(s), no action is required. Your plans will automatically renew and you don’t have to worry about contacting us. Via Benefits is here to support you as you evaluate your current coverage, and if necessary, assist in enrolling in new coverage.

Table of Contents � OPERS Resources � Same Team, Same Service � Should I Change my Plan During

Open Enrollment? � Reasons to Consider Changing

Your Plan � Via Benefits Coverage Checkup � Comparing Your Web and Phone

Service Options � Phone Verification Sometimes

Required � Dual Dental and Vision

Enrollment? � Does Your Coverage Still Meet

Your Needs? � Automatic Premium

Reimbursement vs Recurring Reimbursement: Which is Better for You?

� Save Time and Avoid Paperwork with Automatic Premium Reimbursement

� Top 3 Reasons Reimbursement Requests are Denied

� Granting Caregivers Access to Your HRA

� Power of Attorney Permissions � Via Benefits – Here for You Year

Round

The Via Benefits AdvocateFall 2018 Medicare NewsletterOPERS Edition

Contact Us

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Go online: My.ViaBenefits.com/OPERS

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3 Things to Know About Open Enrollment1. Plans renew automatically2. Shopping online saves time3. Via Benefits is your resource

Should I Change My Plan During Open Enrollment? If you’re satisfied with your current coverage and do not plan to make changes to it, then there is no need to call us. Roughly 98% of people enrolled in Medicare plans through Via Benefits do not change their coverage during Open Enrollment. Be aware that your coverage will automatically renew during Open Enrollment.

You also can go online at My.ViaBenefits.com/OPERS and start comparing plans in your area. Plans with prices are posted online in mid-October.

OPERS ResourcesOPERS is hosting seminars around the state to keep you informed and educated. An up-to-date schedule of meeting dates and locations related to your HRA can always be found within the Member Education Center at opers.org.

Not able to attend in person? Register for a webinar online at opers.org.

Did You Know? � If you have Medicare Supplement

(Medigap) Insurance, you are able to change your policy anytime during the year. That means that if you are happy with your plan currently, it will automatically renew — there’s no need to call us.

� If you do need to make a change, any changes to your Medicare Supplement coverage may be subject to underwriting, depending on the state in which you live.

� We also offer guaranteed issue plans year round. If you are interested, please contact Via Benefits or go online and we can help you explore your options.

Same Team, Same ServiceIn March, we officially changed our name from Towers Watson’s OneExchange to Via Benefits. This rebrand did not occur as a result of a change in management or ownership—it is simply meant to better reflect our commitment to serving you.

Via Benefits Coverage CheckupIt’s important to review your options during Open Enrollment, even if you decide to stay with your current coverage. The checkup only takes a few minutes and the process is easy.

Via Benefits is at your service to help you evaluate your current plan and, if needed, shop around for a new plan. But which method of communication would you prefer—phone or online? The answers to these questions should give you a hint.

� Before making a decision, do you prefer to do your own research online or speak with someone?

� How comfortable are you navigating the web?

Reasons to Consider Changing Your PlanIf any of the following events have occurred in the past year, you should go online or call to speak to a Licensed Benefit Advisor to explore your Medicare coverage options during Open Enrollment:

� You’ve moved: If you’ve moved during the year to a new state or ZIP code and haven’t changed your plan, you may want to evaluate new plans since plan prices vary by location across the United States and you could save money.

� Your plan has been canceled: Your insurer will notify you if your plan is being canceled. If it is, we can help you find an alternative plan.

� Your physicians are no longer included in your plan’s network: Your insurer will notify you if they make any changes to your plan’s network of doctors or health care providers. If your primary care physician is dropped from your plan’s network, then you may want to consider plans that include your doctor(s) in their network.

� Your prescription drugs have changed: If you have changed prescriptions or even stopped taking some, you may want to see if there are plans that better fit your current needs.

Fall 2018 Medicare Newsletter 3

If you need help in evaluating or changing plans, be sure to make an appointment to speak with a Licensed Benefit Advisor, either by going online or calling us 1-844-287-9945. An appointment ensures a Licensed Benefit Advisor will be available—although you may still experience a short wait if he or she is finishing another call.


Comparing Your Web and Phone Service Options Here’s how shopping online and shopping on the phone for health coverage stack up. Make the choice that works best for you.

Online On the Phone

The Via Benefits website is available 24/7Our call centers are open from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m. Monday through Friday Eastern time

Our website is immediately available at your convenience

We don’t like to keep you waiting, but during the fall hold times can vary

You conduct the research and choose your plans at your own pace

Your plan comparison is created by a Licensed Benefit Advisor who is trained to assist you

Log in to your secure account with your chosen password and get started Verify your identity vocally

Not all plans are available for online enrollment; the website will direct you when you need to work with an Application Data Processor

You will work with a Via Benefits Application Data Processor to fill out your enrollment applications

Disclaimers are quick to reviewDisclaimers are played in their entirety and need a vocal affirmation

If you do have questions, you can always call to speak to an advisor during your search online

Via Benefits is always ready to answer your questions or help you enroll in a new plan

Go online: My.ViaBenefits.com/OPERS Call 1-844-287-9945

Best Call TimesCall Via Benefits Tuesday through Friday, as we have the highest call traffic on Mondays. Avoid calling the Monday after Thanksgiving, which is our busiest day.

Keep Your Online Profile Up-to-DateIt’s a good idea to update your information in your Via Benefits online account. Keeping your personal, prescription drug, and physician information current can reduce time spent on the phone and help you search for new plans when you’re ready to shop.

Save Time, Go OnlineListening to health plan details and disclaimers can take up to five minutes per plan. Save time and review your options online.

INSIDER TIPS

Phone Verification Sometimes RequiredPlease note that if you apply to enroll in a new Medicare plan online, you may be required to follow up with a Via Benefits representative by phone. Some plans require verbal authorization. If you apply to a plan that requires verbal authorization, the website will ask you to schedule an appointment before the application deadline. If no appointments are available, or if there is no expected wait time at the time the application is completed, the website will prompt you to call at that moment. Please call in if promoted on the web to speak with a benefits representative to complete the enrollment process.

Dual Dental and Vision Enrollment?Review your dental and vision plans closely to make sure you have the coverage that best fits your needs. If you are dually enrolled in a dental and vision plan with both OPERS and Via Benefits, take some time to review your coverage and consider your needs to determine if you need both plans. Please reach out to Via Benefits and we will help you review the details so you can take action and feel confident in your coverage.

To enroll, cancel, or make changes to your OPERS vision or dental plans, you must contact OPERS between October 15 and December 7. The OPERS dental and vision plans can only be changed during Open Enrollment.

Once enrolled with OPERS coverage, you will remain enrolled for the entire plan year. Please notify OPERS immediately at 1-800-222-7377 if you have a change in family status that would impact your OPERS coverage.



Did You Know? You can now view AARP plans online. This will allow you to compare AARP and other similar plans available in your area. 2019 prices and selections for all plans will be available in mid-October 2018.

Does Your Coverage Still Meet Your Needs? If you are interested in seeing what plans are available for 2019, our online tools can help you. Follow these steps to determine if your current plan still fits your needs or if a plan with better value exists.

This coverage checkup is self-guided. If you prefer to have one of our Licensed Benefit Advisors assist you, please call us 1-844-287-9945. They can help walk you through these steps and provide you with information to make an informed and confident choice.

Step 1: Ask yourself three questions1. Has anything changed in my current coverage?

Each year you will receive a letter from your health insurance company notifying you of any changes in the plan (Plan Annual Notice of Change letter). Review this document to determine if the plan still covers your needs.

2. Has my health status changed? If your health has changed within the last year, it may be good to evaluate how your plan covers your current needs.

3. Have my prescriptions changed? If your out-of-pocket costs have increased for your current medications or you started taking an expensive medication during the last year, you may want to review other plans to see if you can find one that covers more of your costs. Even if your medications don’t change, we recommend reviewing the Plan Annual Notice of Change letter which will inform you of any changes to copays or drugs covered by your plan.

Step 2: Update your personal profile on Via BenefitsBefore searching for plans, we recommend updating your personal profile, which contains information about you, your prescription drugs, and the doctors you see. To update your personal profile sign onto your Via Benefits account:

1. Go to My.ViaBenefits.com/OPERS and select My Account. If you don’t have an account, select Create an account on the right-hand side under the First-time Visitor headline.

2. Enter your user name and password.

3. Once you have signed on, you will be able to make any changes to your personal information, prescription drug, or doctor information.

Step 3: Compare your current coverage to new 2019 plansNow you are ready to shop and compare. Don’t worry if you’re unfamiliar with our website or new to online research. Shop & Compare allows you to search for plans available in your area and sort them by price, plan type, insurance company, and other factors. You can compare plans side by side and review the details of plans that interest you. To use, simply click on the Shop & Compare tab after signing onto your account.

The tool walks you through the process. You will confirm the information in your profile, then you will be able to view plans that are available in your area.

Remember, at any point in the process Via Benefits can assist you with your coverage checkup. Just give us a call.

Please note that you will not be able to search for 2019 plans until after mid-October 2018, when we receive new plan information from insurance companies.



Automatic Premium Reimbursement vs Recurring Reimbursement: Which is Better for You?

Auto-Reimbursement Recurring Reimbursement

What is it?

� Allows for automatic reimbursement of premiums without manually submitting a claim form each year.

� Available for you to select upon enrollment if offered by your insurance company.

� May enroll at any time, if available.

� Allows for monthly reimbursement for eligible premiums (including Medicare Part B) by completing and submitting a Recurring Reimbursement form each calendar year.

What are the considerations?

� No forms needed — just set and forget. � If you keep the same plan next

year, even if your premium amount changes, Automatic Premium Reimbursement continues. No need to re-enroll.

� You must submit new Recurring Reimbursement forms each calendar year.

� If your premium amount changes during the year, you must submit a new Recurring Reimbursement form.

Which premiums can be reimbursed?

� Medical or prescription drug premiums, and only if offered by your insurance company.

� Medical, prescription drug, Medicare Part B, dental and vision premiums. If you’ve selected OPERS dental or vision coverage you may also file a Recurring Reimbursement request.

How long does it take for me to get my first and subsequent reimbursements?

� Takes 2-3 months to receive your first reimbursement.

� You’ll receive subsequent reimbursements every 4-6 weeks.

� Via Benefits cannot reimburse you until they receive notice from your insurance company.

� Takes about 10 business days for the initial request to be processed.

� You’ll receive subsequent reimbursements the same time every month.

Bottom Line

� If available by your insurance company, this is the recommended course of action as it requires less paperwork and maintenance by you.

� A good option if Automatic Premium Reimbursement is not available for your plans. However this option requires more paperwork on your part.

Save Time and Avoid Paperwork with Automatic Premium ReimbursementAutomatic Premium Reimbursement saves time and effort by allowing reimbursement for plan premiums without submitting a reimbursement request each month. You may check the availability of Automatic Premium Reimbursement and activate this feature in the Funds & Reimbursements section of your Via Benefits online account. To review and activate Automatic Premium Reimbursement:1. Go to My.ViaBenefits.com/OPERS. Log in or

create an account. The Account Overview page appears.

2. Select the Funds & Reimbursements tab. The Automatic Premium Reimbursement settings section appears beneath your list of funding accounts.

3. Review or change your Automatic Premium Reimbursement settings.

Please note: Plans in which you have recently enrolled may not have Automatic Premium Reimbursement available until the plan's effective date.Select Save if you make any changes.A Via Benefits representative can also help you make these changes over the phone.

Making Changes to Your Plan(s) and Maintaining Your HRAIf you are considering a change to your coverage and want to maintain your Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA), you need to contact Via Benefits. A Licensed Benefit Advisor will help you evaluate your needs, and enroll in new Medicare coverage that fits your budget. You may be contacted by brokers and agents affiliated with entities other than Via Benefits to review plans available during the Open Enrollment Period. To continue qualifying for your HRA allowance, you must stay enrolled in a medical plan through Via Benefits.

Top 3 Reasons Reimbursement Requests are DeniedThe most common reason for denial of an HRA Reimbursement Request is because the correct documentation was not included with the claim form or the claim form was not completely filled out. When you fill out your Reimbursement Request Form, there is a checklist on the form to help you know if you have completed the form correctly and included the right supporting documents. The top three reasons for a reimbursement request include the following:

1. No supporting documentation2. Incomplete form3. Missing Proof of Coverage or Proof of Payment

Direct Deposit Requirement OPERS requires you to receive reimbursement through direct deposit. As a convenience to you, OPERS provides Via Benefits with the bank account information in which you receive your monthly pension benefit. If you’d like to change the bank account information in which you receive your HRA, you may call Via Benefits at 1-844-287-9945. Follow the prompts to speak with the Funding Department, and say “Agent” when prompted to connect directly to a representative.



Granting Caregivers Access to Your HRAIf you would like a friend or loved one to help you with your health care decisions, you have several options to give them access to your account.

Making a caregiver an Authorized Representative grants them permission to access your Via Benefits account. No matter your state of health, it’s in your best interest to establish an Authorized Representative because if something should happen to you, your Authorized Representative can help to settle your affairs.

There are two levels of privileges: � Limited: Allows sharing of protected

health information with the Authorized Representative, but prevents the Representative from making changes to the account. This is for informative purposes only.

� Full: Allows sharing of protected health information, and allows the Authorized Representative to submit any required documentation on your behalf. This is important if the Representative will manage your HRA. An Authorized Representative also can make changes to your account (web login and password); however the Representative cannot complete plan enrollment.

To make someone a limited or fully Authorized Representative on your account, call Via Benefits to start the process.

Power of Attorney PermissionsGiving someone Power of Attorney (POA) grants them a higher level of permission on your account. While Authorized Representatives can manage the HRA, a Financial Power of Attorney gives someone the power to make health plan enrollment decisions on your behalf. Durable Power of Attorney also can grant them this power, but only if the legal document specifically outlines financial permissions.

Please note, Medical Power of Attorney does not grant a representative the ability to manage your Via Benefits account or direct where your funding is issued.Via Benefits cannot help you obtain any form of Power of Attorney. Please seek legal advice if you need to establish these types of authorization. Once they are established, notify Via Benefits.

Reimbursements for Deceased ParticipantsEligible dependents can seek reimbursements from a deceased participant’s HRA by completing the Reimbursement Request Form. In this situation, it is not required to establish authorization or POA because the eligible dependent attests to their relationship with the deceased participant by signing the Reimbursement Request Form.

If you are a caregiver and have assumed ownership of a deceased participant’s affairs, we suggest contacting Via Benefits by phone so that we may assist you in preparing for the future.

Via Benefits – Here for You Year RoundWe get the most calls to our U.S.-based call centers during Medicare’s Open Enrollment — but did you know we are available to help you year round? We can help answer questions about your new coverage, provide support in choosing the right plan for you, help set up your online account, or reset your password. We have helped participants understand their Explanation of Benefits, copays, coinsurance, and more. We look forward to helping you!

Contact UsGo online: My.ViaBenefits.com/OPERSCall:1-844-287-9945 | (TTY: 711)Hours:Monday through Friday8:00 a.m. until 9:00 p.m.Eastern Time



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The Via Benefits AdvocateFall 2018 Medicare NewsletterOPERS Edition

Documents

The Via Benets Advocate Benefits Coverage Checkup It’s important to review your options during Open Enrollment, even if you decide to stay with your current coverage. The checkup