Health Care Program News

Health Care Open Enrollment to Begin Nov. 1

Board approves plan enhancements for 2024

Open enrollment for STRS Ohio’s medical and prescription plans will take place from Nov. 1–21. This is the time for benefit recipients to decide if they want to enroll in a plan without a qualifying event. There are several new enhancements to the program for 2024, including monthly premiums that lower the costs for 99% of current plan enrollees. See separate story on program enhancements and a sample of the new premiums (below).

Medical and prescription plan administrators announced for 2024

In 2024, Aetna will administer all medical coverage. Current Medical Mutual, AultCare and Paramount enrollees will automatically be enrolled in an Aetna plan. Current Aetna enrollees will remain in their current plan. The Aetna Medicare Plan is making several coverage improvements, including a $0 in-network annual deductible and $0 copay
for in-network primary care physician visits.

New for 2024, the prescription plan will transition to CVS Caremark (CVS) from Express Scripts. All enrollees will transition to CVS on Jan. 1, and most enrollees should experience no disruption to their services. Those who may see a disruption (such as a change to a higher or lower tier in the drug formulary) will be notified by mid-December. There are no changes to the prescription annual deductible, maximum out-of-pocket limit or drug tier copayments/coinsurance. Medicare enrollees will be covered by SilverScript, a Medicare Part D plan. SilverScript is an affiliate of CVS. Non-Medicare enrollees will be covered by CVS Caremark.

Access to providers covers most current physicians and pharmacies

Aetna’s provider network includes nearly all the providers currently used by Medical Mutual, AultCare and Paramount enrollees. The same is true for the CVS network — it covers nearly all Express Scripts pharmacies currently being accessed. The CVS network includes about 66,000 chain and independent pharmacies, including Kroger, and about 9,000 CVS pharmacies. Enrollees may use any in-network pharmacy; they are not limited to CVS store locations.

Watch for open-enrollment materials in late October

If you are currently enrolled in a medical plan, you will receive open-enrollment materials in late October with more details about the plan changes. You will also receive a personalized letter with your plan option(s) and premiums. This open-enrollment period is for medical plans only. It does not include the dental and vision plans.

If you are not currently enrolled in an STRS Ohio plan and would like a personalized enrollment packet, email the system here or call STRS Ohio’s Member Services Center toll-free at 888‑227‑7877 to request these materials.

See the table of contents →

Updated Health Care Premiums for 2024

In August, the Retirement Board approved new monthly premiums that will result in lower premiums for about 99% of current health care program enrollees. A complete list of premiums is available here or by request through our Member Services Center toll-free at 888‑227‑7877.

Monthly Enrollee Premiums for 2024 — With Medicare

(Premiums for benefit recipients with Medicare have been reduced by a $30 Medicare Part B credit.)

Benefit Recipient Years of Service
Aetna Medicare Plan Aetna Basic Plan
Retired before 8/1/2023 Retire on or after 8/1/2023    
30+ 35+ $25 $137
25 30 $42 $154
20 25 $60 $172
15 20 $78 $190
<15 <20 $131 $243
Spouse $161 $273
Per Child $161 $273
Disabled Adult Child $161 $273

Monthly Enrollee Premiums for 2024 — Without Medicare

Benefit Recipient Years of Service Aetna Basic Plan
Retired before 8/1/2023 Retire on or after 8/1/2023  
30+ 35+ $279
25 30 $419
20 25 $558
15 20 $698
<15 <20 $1,117
Spouse $1,117
Per Child $296
Disabled Adult Child $1,117

See the table of contents →

Health Care Plan Enhancements for Calendar Year 2024

Aetna Medicare Plan:

  • $0 in-network annual deductible
  • $0 copay for visits to in-network primary care physician
  • Up to $1,000 reimbursement for hearing aids per 36 months.
  • Unlimited transportation for medical appointments for dialysis patients

CVS Plans:

  • 90-day transition allowance for drugs not on formulary
  • Enrollees can receive a 90-day supply at CVS retail locations for the same copay as mail order (for non-specialty prescriptions)

The Aetna and CVS toll-free customer service centers are available to take calls about your coverage. If you have questions about your coverage, you can reach Aetna and CVS at:

  Medicare Non-Medicare
Aetna 833-383-4612
Weekdays, 8 a.m.–9 p.m.
800-645-5677
Weekdays, 8 a.m.–6 p.m.
CVS 800-756-6859
Available 24/7
800-756-6841
Available 24/7

See the table of contents →

Health Care Assistance Program Available to Benefit Recipients Who Qualify

STRS Ohio offers a Health Care Assistance Program (HCAP) to service retirement benefit recipients with 25 years of service and disability recipients. The program provides medical and prescription coverage for a $0 premium. Eligibility for the program is based in part on an annual family income limit of 175% of the federal poverty level for a family household of two persons ($34,510 for service retirement benefit recipients currently applying based on your most recent tax returns) and a household liquid asset limit of $34,510 (a home is not considered a liquid asset).

New HCAP applicants must be eligible for a subsidy under the STRS Ohio Health Care Program to qualify for HCAP enrollment. New and current STRS Ohio Health Care Program enrollees may apply. The application and additional program details are available on the STRS Ohio website or by request from the Member Services Center (toll-free) 888‑227‑7877.

See the table of contents →

Webinars Offer 2024 Health Care Plan Coverage Information

STRS Ohio will hold webinars this fall targeted to members who want to learn more about health care plan features. The Understanding Your Health Care Plan webinar will include details about:

  • Key terms related to out-of-pocket expenses;
  • Medical and prescription plan coverage; and
  • Changes and open-enrollment details for the 2024 plan year.

All members who are eligible to enroll in the STRS Ohio Health Care Program will receive an email invitation with further details. If you do not have an email address on file with the system, you can update your contact information in your Online Personal Account on the STRS Ohio website.

See the table of contents →