Retiree Health Benefits

To be eligible for the continuation of insurance benefits as a retiree, you must meet the "normal retirement" qualifications of the Florida Retirement System (FRS) Pension Plan as follows:

• If you are retiring under the FRS Pension Plan or DROP, you must immediately start your retirement benefit by completing an application. Your retirement can be on or after your "normal retirement date," or it can be an early retirement (with early retirement penalties as applicable).
• If you are retiring under the FRS Investment Plan and you first joined the FRS prior to July 1, 2011, you must be at least age 62 or have 30 years of FRS service, whichever comes first. You must have a minimum of 6 years of FRS service.
• If you are retiring under the FRS Investment Plan and you first joined the FRS on or after July 1, 2011, you must be at least age 65 or have 33 years of FRS service, whichever comes first. You must have a minimum of 8 years of FRS service.

If you have any questions about eligibility, please contact Employee Health Benefits at benefits@mymanatee.org.

Quick Reference - Retiree Health Options:

• Continue the YourChoice Medical Plan you had on your last day of employment.

Coverage Highlights:

• Dependents already enrolled on your last day of employment can remain on the plan.
• Additional dependents may be added later if a qualified life event occurs.
• Health Care Spending Accounts end at retirement unless continued under COBRA.

Important:

• To continue benefits in retirement with Manatee YourChoice, you must enroll in your retiree benefits prior to retirement. Benefits will not continue if you do not complete the enrollment process with Employee Health Benefits.
• A dependent not enrolled in the County's plan at the time of the retiree's retirement is not eligible to continue coverage after the retiree's retirement date.

Retirees 65 and older/Medicare-eligible:

Your Options:

• Transamerica Medicare Supplement (does not include prescription-drug coverage -- must pick up a separate prescription plan)
• Continue the YourChoice Medical Plan as a supplement to Medicare (includes prescription coverage)

• You can keep the YourChoice Medical Plan you had on your last day of employment.
• If you choose Transamerica, dependents on the YourChoice Medical Plan can remain on that plan.
• Medicare is your primary insurance; YourChoice or Transamerica is secondary, helping cover costs Medicare does not cover.
• These plans "wrap around" Medicare and pay for eligible services according to plan rules.

• To continue benefits in retirement with Manatee YourChoice, you must enroll in your retiree benefits prior to retirement. Benefits will not continue if you do not complete the enrollment process with Employee Health Benefits.
• A dependent not enrolled in the County's plan at the time of the retiree's retirement is not eligible to continue coverage after the retiree's retirement date.

If the retiree or any dependents are eligible for Medicare Parts A and B based on age (65+), they must be enrolled in those Medicare plans to participate in any retiree medical insurance (YourChoice or Transamerica). Additionally, a retiree or that is eligible for Medicare as a result of disability must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B to participate in any retiree medical insurance. The retiree's County medical insurance or any other Medicare Supplement is SECONDARY to Medicare unless the retiree or their spouse is actively at work and enrolled in an employer-sponsored group medical plan. A copy of their Medicare card showing Parts A and B must be supplied to Employee Health Benefits.

Attention:

• Manatee County provides Medicare eligible retirees the option of a Medicare Supplement Plan through Transamerica Insurance. This plan provides a different level of benefit for medical coverage, and is at a premium cost lower than the YourChoice Medical Plan. Please see the Transamerica Insurance Company information listed below.
• With the implementation of healthcare reform measures, some retirees, depending on their age and health status, may have access to individual medical and/or dental plans that are more affordable and better aligned with their needs. Baacke Insurance and Financial Services offers free consultations to help employees and members review available plan options and find coverage that best fits your needs. To schedule an appointment, please call (941) 907-4300. Please note that Employee Health Benefits staff members cannot recommend particular health insurance plans.
• One-time opportunity to switch retiree medical plans: A retiree has one opportunity during their time as a retiree to re-enroll in the County's YourChoice Medical Plan if their selection of the Transamerica Medicare Supplement Plan is no longer desired.
• Retirees who have 10 years or more of service to Manatee County Government and/or any YourChoice-participating agency may qualify for a reduced premium rate for medical insurance under the Retiree Premium Assistance Program. Dependents of retirees are not eligible for the premium assistance.

Important: In most cases, if you don’t sign up for Part B when you’re first eligible, you’ll have to pay a late enrollment penalty for as long as you have Part B, and you could have a gap in your health coverage.