To help manage rising health care costs while continuing to offer comprehensive retiree coverage, UnitedHealthcare will transition from the current combined Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage to two separate plans effective January 1, 2027:
A UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Advantage (PPO) plan for your medical coverage
A UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) for your prescription drug coverage through Optum® Rx/UnitedHealthcare
Your current coverage under your UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Advantage plan with prescription drug coverage will end on December 31, 2026.
At the same time, USI is making a change to the number of Medicare Advantage plan options offered. To keep costs balanced while still providing comprehensive Post‑65 benefits, USI will move to a single Medicare Advantage plan for 2027. Beginning January 1, 2027, all retirees will be covered under the plan you know today as the Core Plan.
Retirees previously had the option to choose between the Core Plan and the Buy‑Up Plan. During this year’s renewal cycle, the Buy‑Up Plan received a significantly higher renewal quote—one that was not financially sustainable for retirees or the University. After careful analysis, USI determined that offering one plan is the most responsible approach.
What this means for you:
All retirees enrolled in a Medicare Advantage plan will transition to the Core Plan for 2027.
Premiums will decrease for all retirees enrolled in the Medicare Advantage plan.
Plan design (deductibles, copays, coinsurance and out‑of‑pocket maximums) will remain unchanged for 2027.
The Core Plan Design and 2027 premiums are listed in the Retiree Benefits Guide.
Today, Core plan benefits are accessed through a single ID card. Beginning in 2027, medical and prescription drug benefits will be administered separately.
You will receive by mail:
A UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Advantage (PPO) medical ID card
A UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) ID card
Please note:
ID cards may arrive at different times, even for members in the same household.
Begin using your new ID cards on January 1, 2027
Dental rates remain unchanged for 2027 with no changes to plan design. HRI Dental and Vision remains the provider for the Dental Plan.
You will receive a letter from AmWINS about open enrollment that provides additional information on this change. UnitedHealthcare will mail two separate Welcome Letters:
One for your Medicare Advantage medical plan
One for your Medicare Part D Prescription Drug plan
These letters will include:
Plan costs and coverage information
Instructions for opting out
Important enrollment details
What to expect before your new coverage becomes effective