[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6360723,"mediaKeyId","2174236-a83a9940d0b555455e38ce5d1bc89fd9","parentId",2174236,"title","GIC explains Medicare rules for retirees, buyout payment and COBRA path to retiree dental","audioSeconds",853,"startMs",1966000,"endMs",2819000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174236-a83a9940d0b555455e38ce5d1bc89fd9&start=1966&end=2819","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174236-a83a9940d0b555455e38ce5d1bc89fd9/thumbnail_1966000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6360723/Massachusetts/GIC-explains-Medicare-rules-for-retirees-buyout-payment-and-COBRA-path-to-retiree-dental","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360723-fec8be129195b7dbe6c4d85f73874371/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104720&Signature=TPfuGILzTyCB2WDzQtVqhN875uUV9GWOP7Nvfl4CdZh6Ub6aLZqJ6zcUSFihrEzdeY6H3iT3FfwM-pB14g-8QD5xePjBBiGodHQ656Ix9a9Osb4TfcBiD~mCYvkvxhhkCWOfJcDFyn~QhLm4WxBhSBuh184FkLg0aoZZxxONpljjqbR~YNFmB8I8h2ENbEvNxRmMtXHyHmsKMUakaizr87Xz1j0ATff20R0UeN5E9m3gWC7ZGeLs6zZBumeF0ohUx0cqJy4AaAaZKVXdiO6YSG9el1pmGRHOUfM2s0M23iV3nrAtTRnCJyzhT4EY8gtDWFM4OMuHM6LT3~9g1PI2-Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","MA Group Insurance Commission","date","2025-01-31T03:13:38Z","article","GIC staff used the information session’s Q&A to walk members through frequent retirement and Medicare questions: when members should enroll in Medicare, what happens to spouses and dependents, details about the buyout payment, and how dental and vision coverage transitions work after retirement.

Paul Murphy, director of operations, said the GIC will send instruction letters three months before a member or covered spouse turns 65 explaining Medicare options. Murphy said state law requires anyone who is retired and covered by GIC to apply for Medicare Parts A and B at retirement or three months before their 65th birthday if they want to continue GIC coverage; if a retiree or spouse declines Medicare Part A and B without an applicable ineligibility denial, the GIC may cancel their coverage.

Murphy outlined common scenarios: if a member turns 65 while still working, they can enroll in Medicare Part A and defer Part B while employed; if the member is retired and covering a spouse who is age 65 or older, the spouse must apply for Medicare because the member is retired. For couples where only one partner is Medicare-eligible, the non‑Medicare spouse can remain in a non‑Medicare GIC plan; if both spouses are on Medicare, they must enroll in the same Medicare plan offered by GIC.

On the retiree buyout (sometimes called the buyout option), Murphy explained that members who are enrolled in a GIC health plan as of Jan. 1, 2025, may cancel GIC coverage effective June 30 and apply online. Approved applicants receive a payment equal to 25% of the full premium for 12 months starting in August. Members must keep coverage through June 30 and submit an application during the enrollment window; if members have a qualifying event they may reenroll later.

Murphy also explained the dental/vision transition: members in GIC dental and vision plans (available to state active employees not covered by collective bargaining) can elect COBRA for 18 months after retirement and then enroll in the GIC retiree dental plan at the end of COBRA; if dental/vision benefits were provided through a union, members may take union-administered COBRA and later enroll in GIC retiree dental.

Murphy said premiums for retirees are charged differently after retirement and that active premiums are typically paid a month in advance; members retiring midmonth will receive a transitional bill from GIC until pension deductions begin and should pay billed amounts to avoid lapses.

Staff advised members to contact Social Security or Medicare.gov for specific eligibility questions about Parts A and B and to keep documentation of any Social Security denial if they claim Medicare ineligibility.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","GIC 2025 Public Information Session 3","oneSentenceSummary","GIC staff walked through member rules for turning 65 or retiring, including the commission’s practice of sending letters three months before a 65th birthday, state-law requirements to enroll in Medicare Parts A and B for retirees (or risk GIC cancellation), details on the buyout payment, and COBRA-to-retiree dental enrollment options.","taxTitle","Group Insurance Commission, Executive , Massachusetts","taxId",24966,"location","Massachusetts","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6360727,"GIC sets annual enrollment April 2–May 1; urges members to register for online member portal",395,1664000,2059000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174236-a83a9940d0b555455e38ce5d1bc89fd9&start=1664&end=2059","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174236-a83a9940d0b555455e38ce5d1bc89fd9/thumbnail_1664000.jpg","/articles/6360727/Massachusetts/GIC-sets-annual-enrollment-April-2May-1-urges-members-to-register-for-online-member-portal","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360727-5e83367ae2706f5e5770818e2f914be7/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104720&Signature=Yfr9Zdi-bAK1GPQi~TjxOBPmJDdeY4KDnRVEh2eYsjH4eZr6sIOq-AHdEdus~q3PkF3b0jJo4-j2gjf3LrDi3Nz91bO0Zge0QuGyvfhVb5YIRImEEoigPughmDo99XMY8s8lSxz0BSxA3B1Zw6pta0SiuiqY0eiaD4CJsK8JzsZxVeK9oONTI3DYfL25MRZbT4KLfKPLEKTc0NHCXOhUTl5B35rIXiUX9RYmdBiD1VQXz1v2tZyg8IHuqosYyuipVNSQd~0wlUVtDiPpo4e66APVTJLwTkZS~K3Jyywhz21G8mrXzS-a05SwQKlGrOfRpzxuYgZvCMhtJUjDXo6f4g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Group Insurance Commission reminded members during a March information session that annual enrollment will run from April 2 through May 1, and urged members to use the member benefit portal to review options and make changes.

Paul Murphy, the GIC’s director of operations, said the new benefit decision guides — which include rates, plan designs, carrier contacts and enrollment forms — will be posted on the GIC website and in the portal immediately before annual enrollment. He encouraged members to review options and noted that if members do nothing their coverage will continue unchanged; the GIC does not require reenrollment during open enrollment.

Murphy said the portal allows members to view benefits in real time, apply for qualifying events, update dependent and beneficiary information, and make plan changes at enrollment. He said the portal currently has “over 112,000 members participating.” For members who do not use the portal, the GIC will accept electronic DocuSign forms and downloadable forms to mail in.

Staff advised that carriers — not the GIC — issue ID cards, so members should contact their health plan for replacements or first-time cards. The presentation also said the GIC will publish tutorials and videos about the portal on mass.gov/gic and will email participants the recording of the session and the presentation slides.

Members were asked to avoid putting personal health data in the webinar Q&A because answers become public; staff provided an online contact form and phone line for personal questions.","The Group Insurance Commission confirmed annual enrollment dates and stressed use of its member portal for plan changes and tutorials, noting the portal currently has more than 112,000 registered members and that benefit guides and forms will be posted before enrollment begins.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6360730,"GIC to switch dental and vision carriers to Altus and VSP; annual dental maximums to rise by $250",301,1017000,1318000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174236-a83a9940d0b555455e38ce5d1bc89fd9&start=1017&end=1318","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174236-a83a9940d0b555455e38ce5d1bc89fd9/thumbnail_1017000.jpg","/articles/6360730/Massachusetts/GIC-to-switch-dental-and-vision-carriers-to-Altus-and-VSP-annual-dental-maximums-to-rise-by-250","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360730-5623972d04773f9fdab679e24003e3f8/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104720&Signature=beuG8I9w~a5lYi9Ork8tjKEU9UO2GFXb5VRgu9KTWN~ywa-~587bvYqd62ZRAkfEbFbUPmZ~dT29O-pVZcfm34Jj0BiKucza6JhHcxMGahRkVMBkZ5xTxe6~qmdtzsxU4XbKtSX6x2cK0~pDAKHnQVzd1aMmBe0X6jt8enGY7lT7BlqYVffv~Y1IO1YD9-L0sHfX6yjYv6Jq6Fn-qCuPzY1Qu5zFV-GUv2-N2BhCvbgpBAN0TWuXa8aTkCX1vzytzD5zA5enlP58lqznEvcWH9SFOz4ws0MjZ~kTpJeOfpCYR0Y--Ua9sMrn9ux888xcJbeYetWvxUE95w6Vi789VA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Group Insurance Commission announced at its March information session that, following a procurement process, it will change dental and vision carriers for plans the commission offers to eligible members. Altus Dental will be the new dental carrier and will partner with VSP for vision services, GIC staff said.

Cameron McBean, the commission’s director of vendor management, said the GIC received “very good, fully insured, dental premium rates” from Altus, which enabled an increase of $250 in the annual maximum for both active and retiree dental plans. McBean said Altus was the original carrier when the retiree dental plan was first rolled out and that Altus’s network compares favorably to the current carrier; staff do not expect widespread disruption to members’ dentist choices.

The GIC said the active dental plans will move from a calendar-year basis to the GIC plan year to match other benefits under the new contract with Altus. The presentation noted that not all GIC dental and vision offerings are available to every member: state active employees not covered by a collective bargaining agreement are eligible for GIC dental and vision offerings; other municipalities or housing authorities may be excluded by prior legislation.

The GIC also announced improvements to vision benefits: annual eye exams will be available to members on those plans (previously exams were covered every other year), and retiree vision discounts will be redeemable at point of sale with participating retailers without prepaying vouchers.

Officials told members the changes apply beginning with the upcoming plan year and that the benefit decision guides published before annual enrollment will include full details and rates. Members were advised to check the member portal or benefit guide for any specific provider or coverage questions.

GIC staff said the enterprise-wide vendor for pharmacy (CVS Caremark for active employees and CVS SilverScript for Medicare plans) and the network plans (Harvard Pilgrim, WellPoint, Health New England and Mass General Brigham) are not changing for FY26.","After a procurement, the Group Insurance Commission will move its dental and vision contracts to Altus Dental with VSP partnership, increase annual dental maximums by $250, and align retiree and active plan features; officials said network disruption is not expected.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6360735,"GIC says premiums likely to rise for FY26; announces modest plan enhancements including Hinge Health and fertility coverage",1306,179000,1485000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2174236-a83a9940d0b555455e38ce5d1bc89fd9&start=179&end=1485","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2174236-a83a9940d0b555455e38ce5d1bc89fd9/thumbnail_179000.jpg","/articles/6360735/Massachusetts/GIC-says-premiums-likely-to-rise-for-FY26-announces-modest-plan-enhancements-including-Hinge-Health-and-fertility-coverage","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6360735-b860de95bf2309cc46dc48ad0149ec85/orig.mp4?Expires=1771104720&Signature=itOjMXp0bOZU7T0jLp1YulrgZwlGgS~xYg0RipCfHpjrUIvLjj9aScO7cfBny6EzhqUuowkjymRyO1relyz4vtKS0fDDf-BDu0tyv6OQie7s3rZmi1XcubnUUN~M6mlD5bQcpEaurXZlhjPACQLpqBAFZg0OUUcG7eskQN57YdIoPgU1RnzdWhLvEXrGSDoljLNONEc6kw4MFNynGEqAVWs7shHMcyP~euQUQHszaXlfNPXCe7CXouO8TsQP7KxOMQnaAznAqoRbgqdfhSkAXhBIFtJTpS~bm4lppSc4fjPjR3V4aH8WJ-1OLdXbZSzAlC6ykJf0ekifXGY4eogl1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Group Insurance Commission’s executive director and staff told members during a March information session that the commission expects “relatively significant increases” in health insurance premiums for fiscal year 2026 and outlined a few targeted plan enhancements aimed at access and parity.

The GIC’s mission is to provide “high quality and affordable benefits” to public employees and retirees, but the commission cautioned that rising hospital and provider prices and new drug spending pressures are increasing premiums, officials said.

Matt Vino, executive director of the Group Insurance Commission, said the GIC faces the same market pressures as other plan sponsors in Massachusetts and nationwide, including hospital contract renewals and provider consolidation. Cameron McBean, director of vendor management, said pharmacy spending, notably on GLP-1 weight-loss medications, is putting “a lot of pressure” on plan costs and is one factor pushing premiums up.

Officials described several plan changes intended to improve care without broad design overhauls. The GIC will add a partnership with Hinge Health, a virtual musculoskeletal program offering app-based physical and occupational therapy and virtual consultations. The commission also said it will enhance fertility benefits across all medical plans so members have consistent reproductive coverage regardless of plan choice. In addition, the GIC will remove some limits on nutritional counseling in certain plans as part of a mental-health parity adjustment identified in an internal audit.

Cameron McBean said finalized premium rates will be presented to the GIC commission next month and published with the benefit guides; members should expect to see rates when the commission votes. \"We are getting close to the end of that process,\" he said.

Officials also noted state legislative changes that will affect benefits and spending. McBean referenced the recently passed PACT Act, which the GIC said will require enhanced coverage for certain generic medications used for diabetes, asthma and two prevalent heart conditions, including at least one no-cost generic option and discounts on brand drugs. The law will also require a continuity-of-care program for members who must change medications because of formulary updates.

The GIC emphasized that it is self-insured, meaning the Commonwealth bears the insurance risk and that higher-than-expected claims ultimately affect the state budget rather than an outside insurer. \"If over the course of the year our members use more healthcare services than we anticipated ... it's the state that picks up that additional cost,\" Vino said.

Officials urged members to review plan options during annual enrollment because higher premiums make it a good time to evaluate plan choice and affordability. They also encouraged members to continue submitting feedback through the GIC contact form to inform vendor accountability and future policy decisions.

The commission did not propose sweeping benefit cuts during the session; instead, staff described constrained, targeted changes and said work continues on proposals to manage costs without shifting an undue burden onto members.","The Group Insurance Commission told members the commission expects substantial premium increases for fiscal year 2026 and announced targeted plan enhancements — a digital musculoskeletal program, expanded fertility benefits, and parity changes to nutritional counseling — while noting new state mandates that will affect coverage and cost.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

GIC explains Medicare rules for retirees, buyout payment and COBRA path to retiree dental

GIC sets annual enrollment April 2–May 1; urges members to register for online member portal

GIC to switch dental and vision carriers to Altus and VSP; annual dental maximums to rise by $250

GIC says premiums likely to rise for FY26; announces modest plan enhancements including Hinge Health and fertility coverage