To help eligible retirees supplement their Medicare health benefits, the The University of Maine System (UMS) recently conducted an extensive review of its group health plans compared to the health insurance options now available in the individual market. Their study showed the individual market can offer more options and flexibility in benefit choices, which could potentially cost retirees less for comparable or better health and prescription drug coverage. As a result, you now have a choice in enrolling in the individual market or remaining on your group health plan.
If you decide to enroll in the individual market, you must do so by December 7, 2021. UMS Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents have the choice to select and enroll in individual Medicare coverage to replace their current group health plan, for coverage to be effective January 1, 2022.
-OR-
UMS Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents have the choice to retain their existing Aetna coverage.
- For those who do enroll through the Aon Retiree Health Exchange, UMS will give the additional benefit of limiting the annual out-of-pocket maximum expense for all prescription coverage plans to $1,500.
- UMS will be offering this choice for 2022. Retirees (and their spouses or eligible dependents) can choose to enroll in a plan(s) on the Aon Retiree Health Exchange or, if you don’t choose that option, we will re-enroll you in the University-sponsored Aetna group health plan that has been in place since 2014.
- If you are currently enrolled in a plan through Aon and wish to remain enrolled in that plan, and it is still available, there is nothing you need to do.
- If you are currently enrolled in the Aetna Group Health Plan, and you wish to remain enrolled in that plan, there is nothing you need to do.
For additional resources related to enrolling in coverage through Aon or retaining your existing Aetna plan, please visit the University of Maine System Employee Benefits Center.
As a Medicare-eligible retiree of The University of Maine System, you now have the option of experiencing healthcare coverage in a new way – with more choices, greater flexibility and better value.
Use this website as a resource to learn and prepare for enrolling in healthcare coverage through Aon Retiree Health Exchange or retaining your existing coverage through Aetna, both of which will begin on January 1, 2022. Let Aon help you make the move to a Medicare plan easy and hassle-free.
View Messages From The University of Maine System
University of Maine System Chancellor Dannel Malloy and Chief Human Resources Officer Carol Corcoran share important information with Medicare-eligible retirees on the transition from group coverage to the individual Medicare marketplace and provide Frequently Asked Questions and their helpful answers as well.
Chancellor Letter*
Frequently Asked Questions*
Watch Videos
Learn more about Medicare coverage and Aon Retiree Health Exchange’s enrollment process by clicking on the video links below:
Getting Ready to Enroll
How to Activate Your Account
Learn about Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement Plans
Learn about Prescription Drug Coverage
Your Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) – if eligible
Accessing and Managing Your HRA
Setting Up Your Insurance Premium for Reimbursement (Medicare Retirees)
Submitting a Claim for an Out-of-Pocket Expense
Understanding Catastrophic Coverage in Prescription Drug Plans
View a Webinar
Transitioning to the Individual Medicare Market
Click here for a recorded webinar to learn about Medicare and your health coverage options through Aon Retiree Health Exchange. To view this webinar's presentation, click here.