MARSP News & Announcements

Starting on Oct. 11, MPSERS will hold member benefit seminars across Michigan, Florida and Arizona. The purpose of these seminars is to help members learn more about their healthcare plans and receive health and wellness information. For dates, times and locations, view the Michigan flyer. View all locations here.

MPSERS’ Member Education Seminars to update members on healthcare changes for 2017 will take place during the following weeks in October, November, and December. A complete schedule with specific dates and locations will be posted on our website and social media as it becomes available.

Michigan

Week of October 11, 2016 – Northern Michigan

Week of October 17, 2016 – West and Mid-Michigan

Week of October 24, 2016 – Southeast Michigan

Florida

Week of November 7, 2016

Arizona

Week of December 6, 2016

If you are already getting Social Security retirement or disability benefits or railroad retirement checks, you will be contacted a few months before you become eligible for Medicare and given the information you need. If you live in one of the 50 states or Washington, D.C., you will be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B automatically.

If you are not already getting retirement benefits, you should contact the Social Security Administration about three months before your 65th birthday to sign up for Medicare.  Their number is 800-772-1213.

Once you are enrolled in Medicare, you will receive a red, white and blue Medicare card showing whether you have Part A, Part B or both. In order to receive coverage through MPSERS (Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System), you must have Part B. Keep your card in a safe place so you will have it when you need it.

You will also need to return the “MEDICARE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR BENEFICIARIES 65 OR OVER” that you will receive from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This form allows Medicare and MPSERS to coordinate your benefits. When you turn 65, your coverage will be Medicare Plus Blue Group PPO. This a Medicare Advantage plan. You will also continue to receive your prescription drug benefit from MPSERS.

Although your enrollment in the Medicare Advantage plan should be seamless and automatic, MARSP suggests that just before you turn age 65, you contact MPSERS and BCBSM to ensure that your enrollment in Medicare is complete.

The Blue Cross Blue Shield Best of Health publications for Spring 2016 contain important information regarding the Blue Cross Verification of Coverage (VOC) form which is being mailed in May.  Please click below to read the Spring 2016 issue. Members will also receive the publication via regular mail.

Best of Health for Medicare members – Spring 2016

Best of Health for Non-Medicare members – Spring 2016

Michigan is one of eight states testing PCMH’s value through the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services in a multiyear, multipayer project. The health care plans offered to MPSERS members have been encouraging members to seek care from PCMH providers for several years now. Click here to read the article from the Detroit News.