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STRS Ohio Optional Health Care

Plan Information
All information displayed in the STRS Ohio Optional Health Care section applies only to benefit recipients in the Defined Benefit and Combined Plans.

Selecting Your Plan

What to Expect During the Enrollment Process

This section walks you through the health care plan enrollment process — from your initial contact with STRS Ohio to receipt of ID cards. The following steps vary depending on your status when monthly benefits begin. Please review the information that applies to your situation.

If you have questions about how to enroll in a plan, please call STRS Ohio’s Member Services Center toll-free at 1-888-227-7877.

Service Retirement Applicants

  1. You participate in a preretirement counseling session with an STRS Ohio benefits counselor and receive general information about the STRS Ohio Health Care Program. To make a counseling appointment, call the STRS Ohio Member Services Center toll-free at 1-888-227-7877.
  2. Before the desired start date of monthly benefits and health care coverage, you submit a Service Retirement Application to STRS Ohio and indicate your intention to enroll in a health care plan and receive information about health care plans available to you.
  3. You verify the last date of health care coverage with your employer to ensure that coverage dates do not overlap.
  4. STRS Ohio sends you selection materials for the health care plans available to you.
  5. You review all materials, including coverage information and monthly premiums, and follow enrollment instructions. You should also complete any separate applications that may be required by a plan administrator.
  6. STRS Ohio sends you written confirmation of enrollment in the health care plan you select.
  7. You receive benefit summary information and ID cards in the mail.

Disability Benefit Applicants

  1. You submit a completed Disability Benefit Application to STRS Ohio.
  2. STRS Ohio processes the application.
  3. If the application is approved, you complete the Disability Information for Payment of Benefit form and indicate your desire to enroll in a health care plan.
  4. You verify the last date of health care coverage with your employer to ensure that coverage dates do not overlap.
  5. STRS Ohio sends you selection materials for the health care plans available to you.
  6. You review all materials, including coverage information and monthly premiums, and follow enrollment instructions. You should also complete any separate applications that may be required by a plan administrator.
  7. STRS Ohio sends you written confirmation of enrollment in the health care plan you select.
  8. You receive benefit summary information and ID cards in the mail.

Survivor Benefit Applicants

  1. You notify STRS Ohio of a member’s or benefit recipient’s death.
  2. STRS Ohio sends you an application for survivor benefits, if eligible, and health care selection materials.
  3. You complete the following forms using the instructions provided in the packet: Survivor Benefit Application and STRS Ohio Health Care Selection Form. The effective date of health care coverage is different depending on if you were enrolled in the STRS Ohio Health Care Program as a dependent at the time of the benefit recipient’s death. If you were enrolled as a dependent of the benefit recipient, you will remain enrolled in the same health care plan. The effective date of coverage on the survivor recipient account is the first of the month in which survivor benefits begin. There will be no disruption in coverage. If you were not enrolled as a dependent of the benefit recipient, the effective date of coverage is the first of the month after STRS Ohio receives a completed application for survivor benefits and health care.
  4. STRS Ohio processes and approves the applications.
  5. STRS Ohio sends you written confirmation of enrollment in the health care plan you select.
  6. You receive benefit summary information and ID cards in the mail.

Enrolling After Retirement
If you decide at retirement to decline enrollment in an STRS Ohio health care plan, there are currently other opportunities for you and/or your dependents to enroll. Depending on your situation, a waiting period may apply.

  1. You contact STRS Ohio to request information about health care plan options and monthly premiums.
  2. STRS Ohio sends you an enrollment application and selection materials.
  3. You complete the enrollment application and selection form, and submit them to STRS Ohio with a “Certificate of Creditable Coverage” from your group health care plan, or a letter signed by your current or former employer or plan sponsor on company letterhead verifying the date health care coverage terminated, within 31 days of the termination of your other coverage. The certificate or letter should also include the names of any covered dependents. A six-month waiting period will apply if you do not submit this information within the 31-day period. You should also complete any separate applications that may be required by a plan administrator.
  4. STRS Ohio reviews your enrollment application and verification of prior coverage.
  5. STRS Ohio sends you written confirmation of enrollment in the health care plan you select.
  6. You receive benefit summary information and ID cards in the mail.