How do I qualify for insurance?

If I defer my retirement, will I qualify for insurance?

When you retire, you may enroll yourself and your eligible dependents in the State Health Plan, dental, and vision plans (all are same as for retired State employees).

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For all trial court judges (Circuit, District, Probate) - you would pay the total premium for the State Health Plan as well as the dental and vision plans.

For all non trial courts (Supreme Court justices, Court of Appeals Judges) and elected officials - you would pay the total premium for the dental and vision plans. Your cost for the State Health Plan would be 10% of the monthly premium prior to age 65; at age 65 and thereafter there would be no cost. At age 65 your coverage under the State Health Plan becomes supplementary to Medicare and you would be responsible for the Medicare co-pay.

For all members - The insurance premiums are deducted from your monthly pension check. If insurance premiums exceed the monthly pension payment, all but one dollar of your pension payment will be applied to the amount owed. You will be billed for the balance.

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How do I qualify for insurance?

All pension recipients are eligible to enroll in medical and dental/vision, coverage upon retirement or at a later date.

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The following people are eligible to enroll in the insurance plans as dependents:

• Your spouse.
• Your unmarried children through December 31 of the year they reach age 19.
• Children must be members of your immediate family by birth or adoption or other children who live with you in a parent-child relationship and are dependent on you for support.
• Your child from age 19 through December 31 of the year he or she reaches age 25 if a full-time student (as defined by the educational institution), and a dependent according to Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code. Proof of your child's full-time student status will be required each year.
• Your child age 19 or older who is physically or mentally handicapped and dependent according to Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code. Proof of dependency must be submitted at the time of application, including (1) a letter from the attending physician stating the child is handicapped and incapable of self-sustaining employment, and (2) a copy of the page of the IRS form 1040 which identifies the name of the dependent.

If an enrolled dependent becomes ineligible for coverage, insurance(s) can be picked up under COBRA for up to three years. COBRA-premiums, which are the fund cost plus an administrative fee, are paid directly to ORS.

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Yes. Your beneficiary and your eligible enrolled dependents may continue medical, dental, and vision coverage after your death.

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If I defer my retirement, will I qualify for insurance?

Yes, you may enroll in the State Health Plan, dental or vision plans at the time you apply for your retirement benefits, or at a later date.

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The following are features of the health insurance coverage. If more detail is required, please contact Blue Cross, Aetna, or Delta Dental.

• 100% hospitalization.
• 90% outpatient services (including office calls) after a deductible of $100.00 per person is met.
• $2.00 co-pay for generic prescriptions.
• $7.00 co-pay for non-generic prescriptions.

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Generally, eligibility for Medicare occurs at age 65, unless you are disabled. At age 65, or at an earlier age if you are eligible, you must enroll in Medicare health insurance (both hospital - Part A, and medical - Part B) through the Social Security Administration to maintain maximum benefit coverage. Your Judges Retirement System  health coverage adjusts automatically to supplement Medicare coverage at age 65. From that point on, the Judges Retirement System no longer covers your expenses normally covered by Medicare.

Persons under age 65 who are receiving a Social Security disability pension become eligible for Medicare after receiving 24 months of disability benefits. Judges Retirement System health care coverage will be adjusted to supplement Medicare (both hospital - Part A - and medical - Part B).

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You can begin your coverage on your retirement effective date. If you enroll after your retirement date, your coverage begins on the first day of the month that is six months after the Judges Retirement System receives your completed application. Coverage always begins on the first day of a calendar month.

You should check with your municipality payroll office to determine when your present insurance(s) will terminate to be certain of continued coverage and prevent duplication of coverage.

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About two weeks after you receive your first pension check. In the mean time keep your itemized statements from your provider and submit these to your insurance carrier after your card arrives. If you require hospitalization, the hospital can verify your coverage by calling the Retirement Office at 517-322-5103 (in the Lansing area) or toll-free (outside Lansing) at 1-800-381-5111 during normal business hours.

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To change your insurance effective date, you must send a written request to the Retirement Office containing your name, Social Security Number, and your requested insurance effective date.

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Yes. You must decide within 31 days after your pension effective date whether you will enroll in the insurance plans. If you choose not to enroll then, you may enroll later. If you enroll later, your coverage will begin six months following the first day of the month in which the Judges Retirement System receives your completed insurance application, social security statement, and birth certificate.

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