Board Approves Health Care Premiums for 2021 — Most Current Enrollees Will See Monthly Increase of $3 or Less; Medicare Part B Reimbursement to Continue

The Retirement Board approved health care premiums for the 2021 plan year along with several changes to the STRS Ohio Health Care Program for 2021. The approved premiums will result in a monthly premium increase of $3 or less for about 85% of current enrollees. A complete list of premiums is posted on the system’s website or can be obtained by calling STRS Ohio’s Member Services Center toll-free at 888‑227‑7877. Below is a sample of monthly premiums for calendar year 2021 for a benefit recipient with 30 or more years of service.

Benefit Recipients With Medicare (30 or More Years of Service)
Plan Total Cost STRS Ohio Pays Benefit Recipient Pays
Aetna Medicare Plan (Medicare Advantage PPO) $343 $216 $127
Medical Mutual Basic Plan (Indemnity or PPO) $341 $215 $126
AultCare PrimeTime Health Plan (Medicare Advantage HMO-POS) $390 $216 $174
Paramount Elite HMO (Medicare Advantage) $389 $216 $173
Benefit Recipients Without Medicare (30 or More Years of Service)
Plan Total Cost STRS Ohio Pays Benefit Recipient Pays

Medical Mutual & Aetna Basic (Indemnity or PPO)

 $1,071 $660 $411
AultCare (PPO) $928 $572 $356
Paramount Health Care (HMO) $922 $568 $354

Board approves health care changes for 2021

Approved health care program and plan changes include:

  • Continuing indefinitely the $29.90 Medicare Part B partial premium reimbursement.
  • Allowing for premium subsidies for pre-Medicare benefit recipients to be increased by the amount (if any) not needed to meet the board’s Health Care Plan Management Policy to provide a baseline of up to 6% inflation-protection for the Medicare subsidy.
  • Adjusts eligibility for STRS Ohio’s Health Care Assistance Program — setting income and combined total liquid asset limits for eligibility to 175% of the Federal Poverty Level for a family household of two persons.
  • Increase drug maximum out-of-pocket limit to $6,550 from $6,350 for the Medicare plans to align with the 2021 standard Medicare prescription plan.
  • Increase the annual prescription deductible to $275 from $250 to align with the previous board directive to set at 63% of standard Medicare Part D plan deductible.
  • Add SaveonSP manufacturer copay assistance program for non-Medicare enrollees (provided successful contract terms are reached).