AT&T Healthcare Benefit Update (2024)

The following is a summary of AT&T 2024 Retirees Healthcare Benefits to the best of my knowledge currently. Things change or are clarified over time, and hopefully easier to understand. It is to be used as an outline or reference and does not supersede company Summary Plan Descriptions (SPD) or Healthcare Provider materials.

If unaware, our current Medigap selection process via Alight (AON) with our annual HRA funding non-grandfathered retirees is coming to an end in 2024.

The new default Plan for non-grandfathered retirees will be a United Health Care Advantage (PPO) Plan.

Please remember medical coverage is not a boiler-plate item and comes in many forms and is subject to State & Local laws plus numerous Providers that I cannot possibly know all situations. Hopefully most of what I have documented will apply, but I make no guarantees. So please read all materials, participate in on-line seminars, company websites, etc. before making any decisions.

Watch your mail for further information and literature.

Live Long & Prosper,
John Tucciarone
10/13/23

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HEALTHCARE CHANGES FOR 2024:

• HEALTH REIMBURSEMENT ACCOUNT IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE,
• REMAINING HRA BALANCES CAN BE USED FOR 2024 REIMBURSEMENTS
• The ADVANTAGE (ATTMAP) PLAN IS THE ONLY SUBSIDIZED PLAN.

2024

Dependent Eligibility:

• When one member of a retiree family is Medicare eligible, it will no longer be required for the retiree to be enrolled in company-sponsored coverage for the dependents to be eligible for AT&T coverage.

CarePlus: For Grandfathered and Non-Grandfathered retirees

• Hearing aid coverage will be removed from CarePlus but remains available in the medical Advantage Plan.
• Pre-Medicare retiree –allowance of $2,000 every 3 years
• Non-Grandfathered Medicare – MAPD Plus option allowance of $4,000 every 3 years
• Grandfathered Medicare retiree – allowance $1,000 every 3 years

Grandfathered retirees and dependents

• There are no significant changes in the UHC Advantage Health or Dental Plan.

Non-Grandfathered retirees

• From experience the AT&T UHC PPO (ATTMAP) plan is virtually complaint free.
• It’s not a limited HMO or network Plan, and you can go to any doctor that accepts Medicare.
• Our Grandfathered & non-grandfathered retirees have not voiced any problems once familiar with the UHC system other than first getting used to or minor enrollment bumps.
• That said with only a $900 max. out of pocket, no pre-approval, or denial of coverage (that I’m aware of) is a big plus.
• The alternative would be to pay out of pocket for your Medigap & Drug plan with no new HRA funding.
• ATTMAP Plus offers additional Dental, Vision & Hearing benefits. You do not need to be enrolled for a particular time to take advantage of any of the benefits and you may cancel and return to regular ATTMAP the following year. Note the premium for ATTMAP Plus plan is $50/mo.

Some new old & new points you may want to be aware of:

• Alight will no longer be sponsored by AT&T.
• Any remaining HRA balances will remain available through the AT&T Benefits Center, not Alight, or use of the “Reimburseme App”. ATT.com/benefits center 877 722 2020
• If you have an HRA Balance, it is strongly advised to use them up prior to 12/31/24 for 2023 or 2024 expenses.
• The normal procedure through Alight will now change to AT&T Benefits Center for reimbursement in 2024.
• The default is to United Health Care (UHC) with automatic disenrollment from your existing Part D coverage.
• YOU HAVE TO CALL YOUR MEDIGAP PROVIDER TO DISCONTINUE (UN–ENROLL), i.e., Plan G, F, etc.
• To keep your old Medigap Plan you will have to “Opt. Out” of AT&T’s UHC plan.
• You can disenroll from UHC any time during the year under Medicare’s “Trial Right” within 12 months, to same carrier & plan. Supposedly with no question — Beyond that it may be more complicated and State rules apply, but most likely be subject to “underwriting” requirements. If you have never enrolled in an advantage plan before, there should be no question of returning to your previous carrier. If you have been in an advantage plan before, underwriting requirements may apply.

Tips & General Information:

• The Opt. Out deadline is Nov. 15th.
• Enrollment Period for 2024 is: Oct. 16 Nov. 10
• The new default Health Coverage will be the same AT&T UHC Advantage PPO Plan that is currently offered.
• If you continue with your Medicare Supplemental Plans, i.e., G, F, etc. there will be no HRA subsidy, and be totally at your expense.
• The Advantage Plan cost will be $0 (zero) for the retiree, and $50/month for a dependent/spouse.
• The new Advantage Plus Plan cost will be $50/month for the retiree, and $100/month for a dependent/spouse includes coverage for dental, vision, hearing aids, and private duty nursing.
• Starting in 2025 – 2028 the cost for a dependent will be $0 (zero), at least so far.
• The current AT&T UHC Advantage co-pays will remain the same through 2028, but subject to change if beyond UHC’s control, etc. i.e. drugs, legislation, Medicare, etc.
• Catastrophic Coverage will still be available (see SPD).
• If you move to the Advantage Plan (ATTMAP) all new prescriptions will be required.
• If a spouse is enrolled in the AT&T MAPD plan when the retiree dies, the spouse can continue coverage indefinitely if they remain continuously enrolled and pay any applicable premium. In 2024 that premium is $50 per month.
• For AT&T Kaiser enrolled retirees (California) & Other:
  • The normal default to ATTMAP(UHC), will not apply to Kaiser enrollees (no automatic disenrollment).
  • If you choose to change to ATTMAP(UHC), you will have to contact UHC to enroll and inform Kaiser of change.
• Care plans available in Orlando, Northeast, and (NEW) Dallas / Fort Worth Area Retirees may use Centivo + Baylor Scott White Health (Please read mailed literature for details).
• Mayo Clinic – Varies by location or special situations. Contracts may be annually negotiated and renewed. No guarantee exists from year to year in some locations. Research thoroughly for your location.