Start Here

Follow these important steps to make sure you have the plan you need.
Learn
LEARN
Understand your healthcare options and the enrollment process through Alight Retiree Health Solutions.
Learn
PREPARE
Make sure you're ready for your phone appointment with a licensed Benefits Advisor.
Learn
ENROLL
A licensed Benefits Advisor can help you shop and enroll in health coverage that’s right for you.
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CONTACT US
Alight is here to help answer your questions before, during and after enrollment.

Learn

To help eligible retirees supplement their Medicare health benefits, the University of Maine System (UMS) offers you the choice of enrolling in the individual market or remaining on your group health plan. UMS conducted an extensive review of its group health plans compared to the health insurance options available in the individual market. This study showed that 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, 2024 for coverage to be effective January 1, 2025. 

-OR-

UMS Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents have the choice to enroll in retiree coverage through Aetna.

 
  • For those who do enroll through Alight Retiree Health Solutions, UMS will give the additional benefit of limiting the annual out-of-pocket maximum expense for all prescription coverage plans to $1,500.
  • UMS is offering this choice again for 2024. Retirees (and their spouses or eligible dependents) can choose to enroll in a plan(s) through Alight Retiree Health Solutions or, if you don’t choose that option, we will enroll you in the University-sponsored Aetna group health plan that has been in place since 2014.

For additional resources related to enrolling in coverage through Alight or the 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 health care 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 health care coverage through Alight Retiree Health Solutions or coverage through Aetna, both of which will begin on January 1, 2025. Let Alight help you make the move to a Medicare plan easy and hassle-free.

Watch Videos

Learn more about Medicare coverage and Alight Retiree Health Solutions by clicking on the video links below:

Your Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) – if eligible

Webinars

Prepare

You will receive information about your pre-scheduled telephone appointment with a licensed Benefits Advisor. These materials also contain details about your Health Reimbursement Account (HRA).

 

Confirm or Reschedule Your Appointment

Due to Medicare regulations, a licensed Benefits Advisor cannot speak to you unless you confirm your appointment. Before your scheduled call, you will either need to confirm your appointment or reschedule it for a more convenient time. If you do not confirm your appointment in advance, it will be cancelled.

To confirm or reschedule your appointment, visit the Alight Retiree Health Solutions website or call 1-833-704-1028 (TTY 711). Hours of operations are Monday – Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time

 

Before Your Appointment

You’ll need to be enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A and B. To learn more about Original Medicare or how to enroll, see Original Medicare: An Overview or call Alight Retiree Health Solutions at 1-833-704-1028 (TTY 711).

Your pre-scheduled appointment letter will also include your personal Alight ID number to access Alight's website, which has tools and information you’ll need to help narrow down your plan options. Go online to:

      1.  Activate your Alight account.
      2.  Enter the names of your preferred doctors, clinics and hospitals.
      3.  Enter your prescription drug details, including the name of each medication, dosage and how often you take it.
      4.  Check out personalized plan comparisons and recommendations based on your health care needs.
      5.  Be sure to save plans you wish to consider or discuss with a licensed Benefits Advisor.

 

During Your Appointment

Be sure to have your Medicare card handy during your appointment so Alight can verify that you have coverage through Medicare Parts A and B. The licensed Benefits Advisor will need your Medicare Number as well as your Medicare plan's effective dates.

 

More Information

Review Alight’s Guide to Understanding Medicare for additional details about your upcoming transition. You’ll be more prepared to choose your new health coverage.

 

Enroll

Before your pre-scheduled appointment call with a licensed Benefits Advisor, please take a few minutes to:

 
  • Review the resources provided on this website.
  • Sign up for both Medicare Parts A and B.
  • Activate your online account, enter in your information, review and save your preferred plans.
  • Note any questions you want to discuss with your licensed Benefits Advisor.


You may invite anyone — your spouse, a caregiver, a trusted friend or a family member — involved with your health care decisions to participate in your appointment. When you confirm your pre-scheduled telephone appointment, let us know that someone will be joining you.

Contact Us

If you have questions about your current healthcare coverage or other retiree benefits, please contact the University of Maine System Employee Benefits Center at 1-866-269-9635 (tollfree) or 1-207-973-3373 (local). Representatives are available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. You may also email the UMS Benefits Center at benefits@maine.edu.

For more information about your upcoming Medicare coverage options, call Alight Retiree Health Solutions at
1-833-704-1028 (TTY 711). Representatives are available Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time.

If you prefer to speak with us in another language, please let us know when you call, and we’ll be happy to accommodate your request.

 
*Information contained in the material provided has not been created, reviewed or approved by Alight. It is included herein as a courtesy to the University of Maine System and all declarations, statements, or other assertions contained within are the sole responsibility of the University of Maine System.