Retiree Benefits

Retiree Insurance Changes Coming in 2025

Effective January 1, 2025, Michigan Tech's retiree health insurance, for those ages 65 years and over, will be transitioning to a fully insured group Medicare Advantage Part D plan offered via a vendor, RetireeFirst.

This change will result in lower costs and improved benefits for our retirees, together with a concierge-type support from RetireeFirst with dedicated, one-on-one advocacy and engagement. Under the RetireeFirst plan, Michigan Tech will subsidize a minimum of 50% of the health insurance premium paid by each retiree.

The table below shows the price comparison between the 2025 rates for the current Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan MTU Retiree health plan vs. the new 2025 health plan through RetireeFirst.

*BCBS Michigan price is an average; the Humana price is price per member after a 50% MTU subsidy is applied.

BCBS MI PPO vs RetireeFirst Humana Medicare Advantage Plan Comparisons

Retirees covered under the current MTU Retiree plan will receive communication from Benefits Services and RetireeFirst on these changes and information on enrollment no later than November 11, 2024. Retirees under the age of 65 years will still have the option to enroll in the Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan MTU Retiree plan.

Dental and Vision coverage will continue to be made available to our retirees and administered by MTU Benefits Services through Delta Dental and VSP Vision. The 2025 enrollment process for dental and vision coverage will be consistent with past practice.

Important Things to Know

• You must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B to participate in the Humana MAPD Plan.
• Put your Medicare card in a safe place in case you need it later. You will use only your Humana ID card for Medical and Prescription Drugs.
• You can use any willing Medicare medical provider, regardless of if the provider is in or out of the Humana network.
• No referrals are needed for Medicare covered medical services.
• You should continue to be able to use almost any retail pharmacy as Humana includes over 66,000 in-network pharmacies, nationwide.
• Humana also offers a Mail Order Pharmacy called CenterWell Pharmacy for your convenience. If you would like to use the CenterWell Pharmacy Mail Order Pharmacy, you will need new prescriptions.
• You do not need new prescriptions for retail pharmacies. Simply show your new ID card and your refills will be processed under the Humana MAPD Plan.