AT&T Retirees

[sandybill2]

Just wondering if there are any AT&T Retirees that frequent this site? Interested in talking about the new "Aon Retiree health Exchange" and the fact that effective 2015 we will no longer be covered through AT & T Group for our secondary or Medigap coverage, prescription plan or dental plan. I have read our "Transition Guide" that was received in the mail and the description of HRA (Health Reimbursement account). My husband (the retiree) and I would like to meet and discuss these. You can Private message me. Thanks.

[themarinos]

I retired about a year ago and have not really looked into my 2015 coverage as of yet
but I'm interested about we are moving into the Villages in the coming months. We will contact you when we move in. Are there many AT&T Retirees living
in the Villages I would like know. This is all new to me,You can Private message me. Thanks.

[rdhdleo]

I retired early from ATT in 1997 after almost 32 years with them. (Took a buyout) I have not read the package yet either as I will be on Medicare starting July and my secondary will be Tricare whichI switched to years ago when my ATT coverage got more expensive and demanded a huge deductible. I do however use the Dental so I guess I better read and see what I need to do about that!

[alwann]

I retired from AT&T Corporate in 1997; one of the last wave of people to leave with a pension instead of a cash balance. (I took a buy-out, plus pension, retired young and went to work elsewhere.)

I hear from other retirees periodically, including some retired officers, although none live in The Villages as far as I know. Everybody I hear from knew this benefit change was coming. But none of them knows the details yet, beyond what was mailed to us. Until AON tells us how much money will be placed in our Health Management Account, we can only guess how big the bullet is we will have to bite. We can hope the amount will be equal to what AT&T contributes now, but I suspect it won't. I intend to participate in the upcoming "webinar" to learn more but expect some of my questions won't be answered until I have a one-on-one with an AON benefits advisor. All of us will have an opportunity to speak with an advisor before signing a commitment. If you live near one of the meeting sites, attending a discussion may be a good idea. The meeting closest to The Villages is in Ft. Lauderdale. Why they couldn't schedule a meeting for Florida retirees at a central location, like Orlando, is beyond me.

Also, in case you are unaware, the independent AT&T/Bell retirees website is tracking this subject. See TelCo Retirees Association Inc – United for a Secure Future | TelCo Retirees Association Inc – United for a Secure Future (http://www.telcoretirees.org). At this point, I'm not sure getting together with other local AT&T retirees will produce much help, other than wishing one another good luck. Perhaps later, when we know more.

[themarinos]

I retired last May and will turn 65 in December and like you I will have Tricare for life
Please advise me of any up coming meetings Thanks

[rdhdleo]

I retired last May and will turn 65 in December and like you I will have Tricare for life
Please advise me of any up coming meetings Thanks

We are blessed to have TriCare available to us!

[themarinos]

Try the AT&T Alumni Network on Linkedin there is some other Retirees on there with the
same issues and concerns and may some answers
You might have to join linkedin have a great day !

[themarinos]

Try the AT&T Alumni Network on Linkedin there is some other Retirees on there with the
same issues and concerns and may some answers
You might have to join linkedin have a great day !

[fofd1091]

Also,there is a Bellsouth/ATT group on Facebook,mostly retirees. At this point in time all we can do is a wait and see game.I reserve my opinion.

[tcxr750]

The at&t benefit website has a link to aon.hewitt where you enter your zip code and other info. Then you will see a list of options with monthly costs in your area. You can also enter a list of prescriptions and it will add these costs to display an annual cost for the Medical plus prescriptions. Note: these calculations are for one person. The spouse is a separate calculation. (I retired from Ohio Bell,Ameritech, in 1999.) My 2014 premium is $160/month.

[Phoneman]

Got this today from my retired friend. I also am a 41 year retiree from AT&T and am curious as to what exactly is going to happen.

Is anyone able to comment on info I heard 2nd (or maybe 3rd) hand. I heard insurance coverage plans for retirees is expected to go away at the end of 2014. This statement was made to a friend by a currently working AT&T manager. Didn't get a name. Thanks!

ANSWERS:

Only if you are 65 & older. The new insurance will be subsidized. How much I dont know. We got letters telling us this. I attended a meeting on internet called webinar. I have a meeting with my "personal advisor" on phone in Sep. to help me decide what is best for me. How much will we be reimbursed? Dont know yet. This goes for prescriptions ins and dental. Sad day for medicare retirees retired from ATT. At least that is my opinion.


Retiree insurance will not end at the end of the year. there will be a change for Medicare eligible retirees beginning in 2015. beginning then AT&T will no longer be the supplemental insurance. these retirees will be moved to private Heath exchanges managed by AON. AT&T will contribute an as of yet undetermined amount of money into HRA's to fund some of the medical cost.

[tcxr750]

I am on medicare. I pay $160 a month for the medical coverage including prescriptions thru BCBSIL for my wife and myself in 2014. For 2015 going to the AON website shows,among others, Blue Cross with a premium including prescriptions of $80 or $50 per month. a BC HMO is $0 per month. The difference appears to be based on copays and deductibles. This is for one person. I'm under the Legacy Mid West non-management retiree contract. If you go thru the AT&T Retiree Website links you will see this information and compare with what you have now. When you talk to a AON Benefits Advisor at your appointment, be sure to have a list of prescriptions. They will factor in to which plan to choose. You research this ahead of time on the AON website if you like to be better prepared for the appoinment.

[Phoneman]

Got this from a recent retiree.

Are you a Medicare eligible AT&T retiree? Getting lots of mail regarding healthcare coverage? Are you being moved to Aon Retiree Health Exchange in 2015? Want answers, not more questions? AASBCR® has ongoing discussions with AT&T HR. AASBCR® gets answers for our member retirees. If you want clear answers and support with AT&T HR as well as work with Congress for retiree friendly legislation, join AASBCR®. Only $25.00 annual dues. Go to AT&T Ameritech /SBC Retirees - We are AASBCR® (http://aasbcr.org/) Under Non Members, click on Click here to join AASBCR®follow the prompts.

AT&T Ameritech /SBC Retirees - We are AASBCR®
The objective of AASBCR® is the preservation and enhancement of pension, healthcare, and other benefits earned by retirees while employed by AT&T Ameritech /SBC and its predecessor...
AASBCR.ORG

[Vladimir]

I retired early from AT&T management 10 years ago and just ran accross this thread. I really did not pay close atttention to the AT&T health coverage plan since I'm covered by my wifes teachers health plan which is far superior to AT&T's plan (at one time this was not the case). But I knew that AT&T's plan kept changing and would continue to change with the onset of Obama Care. I better pay close attention now since if my wife passes away before me I will need to activate AT&T's health plan which will cost more and deliver less benefits. Thanks for all this info and for sharing since it helps all of us AT&T retirees living in TV.

[tcxr750]

I retired from Ameritech (non-management) in 1999, up until 2014 I had no premium for my wife and myself. She is a retired teacher and getting health insurance through her plan would have been 800+ per month.
If you go to the AON website you will see what the new plans cost in your zip code and you can compare what each plan pays.The benefits seem about the same as what I have now. Plans shown on the website have premiums of 0 to $85 per month. You need to read and compare with what you have now.
Under my retiree package we still have life insurance. I would like to know if that goes away in 2015. Anyone 65+ can attest to cost of insurance after 65.

[wtlatimer]

I'm interested in knowing the amount of the HRA. Seems like ATT doesn't want to tell.

[Bev17293]

We live in Michigan and we have a meeting with an Aon Advisor 8-5-14. My husband was the employee and so far I've found out my husband is getting 2700 and I'm getting 1500 for a total of 4200. Medicare Adv plans and Rx plans are not posted yet for 2015. I've saved some plans for discussion and understand there is such a thing as discounts but don't know more then that. This is all extremely stressful. The links to dental or vision plans are useless as the total payout of 1000 minus a ded and premiums = about $700 if you can use all the services. I've read it's better to buy some kind of discount dental plan. My eye doctor gives 30% off prices if you're a AARP member and that annual membership fee of $16.00 makes it worth it. I talked to the billing person at the eye doctor. Costco also has good prices for eye care. Will keep you posted.

[Bev17293]

I've done a lot of research on Medigap plans and it's best to buy a "low cost premium, high deductible plan". If the total costs of premiums and deductibles for this first plan equals the same amount of premiums and deductibles for a "high premium, low deductible plan", you'll be able to keep your $ and only use it if you need to. Otherwise, your premiums are a definite expense that you may not need to pay. You can save thousands of dollars this way.

[themarinos]

Did you know ATT Retirees now get 30% Discount on their Cell service and increased discounts on Digital Life service

[tcxr750]

My wife and I had the so called counseling and information session. Got some counseling and not much useful information. I researched the Medicare Advantage plans at the Aon/Hewitt website before the call. I discovered that Express Scripts provides the prescription coverage for the BCBS Health Insurance in Ohio. This is a whole new topic by itself.

[fofd1091]

my wife and I also had our interview with AON today.As we both are retired BellSouth 2001 & 2005,over 65 and on medicare,found out our $$$ is $2700 each as we will have to have separate coverage. whatever,we have always had separate coverage,so nothing else is changed.This is for state of Georgia
Will have our "pickaplan" on 10/27/14.However,i have a different pickaplan date.And this has already created a problem with trying to get both of on same day call to chose a ins co.
Also have to be back in Ga on that day for conference call,because we still have primary house in Ga and the agent is not allowed to underwrite in Fla.then when we sale that hse and make Fla our primary resident we will have to call and make corrections and/or changes to our coverage.which as i understand will increase in cost !!As I have said before,this is a wait and see game. Drugs and dental and eye care are add on plus $$

[Rickg]

I retired from Ameritech/sbc in 2002. I haven't heard anything. Maybe because I'm not 65 yet. I'll be checking.

[KeepingItReal]

Retired in June 2008 35 + years, South Central Bell / Bellsouth / ATT. Haven't heard a word but I don't reach 65 till February 2015. Expecting a lot of confusion but hope not. Just joined the organization mentioned in post number 4.

http://www.telcoretirees.org/

Hopefully they will be able to clear up some questions as we get closer to EOY.

[tcxr750]

I believe the Health Insurance being offered to AT&T retirees is for those who are Medicare eligible only.

[cromlich]

Just had my call from AON who is controlling our Health Insurance Benefits. I must say I was very pleasantly surprised. Don't be stressed until you get your call. It's a very generous plan (so far).

[tcxr750]

My wife and I had our consultation before the enrollment appointment. Because I had gone to the AON website in advance, I had questions about specific health insurance plans they offer. The consultant/sales person had no specific answers. She seemed to be giving a scripted presentation. The dollar amounts offered are generous, but I suggest going to the AON website before making a decision on enrollment day. The website allows you to compare plans and include prescription costs. That did not happen on this call which preceeds the enrollment call. You can call AON/Hewitt and ask questions. Remember that $$$$ sitting in your account can only be used through AON....just ask.

[KeepingItReal]

Website?

[tcxr750]

Try using....aonhewittnavigators.com/att. You'll need to create a login and password. I was able to get the same information earlier in the year by just going to the AON/Hewitt website (not the at&t version) and get the same information. The results are based on zip code.

[KeepingItReal]

Try using....aonhewittnavigators.com/att. You'll need to create a login and password. I was able to get the same information earlier in the year by just going to the AON/Hewitt website (not the at&t version) and get the same information. The results are based on zip code.

Thanks I was checking the ATT Benefits site but could not locate it there....

[Bill.Florida]

Hello everyone,

I have read through the AT&T retiree benefit agreement with Aon Hewitt and here is what I know for folks age 65 & over.

1. $2,700 per year (double for married couples) will go into an HRA account to pay for health insurance premiums and other out of pocket healthcare costs. Think of it as a savings account for healthcare. Any amount not used will roll over into the following year so you don’t lose it. What they may not tell you… you do not have to go through AON for your Medicare Supplement. You could get your prescription drug plan through AON and your Medicare Supplement through an independent agent.

The agreement states the following…

Must enroll in medical and/or prescription
drug coverage through the Aon Retiree Health Exchange in order to have an
amount credited under the AT&T Medicare-Eligible Health Reimbursement
Account Program in 2015.

An HRA from AT&T is provided only to those who are eligible and who
purchase medical or prescription drug coverage through the Aon Retiree Health
Exchange.

Here is a link to a quick facts page from AT&T retirees for…
http://www.telcoretirees.org/wp-content/uploads/ATT_Master_FAQs-073014.pdf

2. Once you are signed up on a plan you most likely will not be assigned a specific rep with AON that you can call with questions. You will call the general number and speak to whoever answers at the time. They will not have any previous knowledge of conversations or your situation. I suggest you contact an independent insurance agent (that specializes in Medicare Supplement Insurance) so you can get all of your questions answered and have a person to call when you have questions in the future. You can get your Medicare Supplement through that agent. A good agent will be able to show you everything available and help you select a plan that meets your specific needs. They will also be a great resource in the future because carriers come out with new rates and plans all the time.


3. AON is not showing you all of the plans that are available to you. There are less expensive & more comprehensive options. I went to the AON site for AT&T and ran plans for zip code 32162, for a 67 year old female as an example. Here is what I found that they are offering you…

a. Humana Plan F, $218.45/month (you can get the exact same plan for less)
b. Mutual of Omaha Plan M, $192.70/month (no one gets Plan M…lots of money for fewer benefits)
c. Plan A for $152 (It would be crazy for someone to pay this much for a plan that offers so few benefits)
d. Plan C, $235.78
e. Plan D, $216.48

I could go on and on but you get the idea. So, I ran proposals for zip code 32162, 67 year old female on the open market and found more comprehensive plans for less money…

Plan F $171/month
Plan G $158/month
Plan N $135.50/month

All are with top “A” rated insurance carriers. Now this may not be your premium because you may be a different age, smoking status, etc. which could change your premium. My point is don’t take their word for it that they are offering you the best plan for your specific needs. What works for one person may not be the best for another. This should be a very specific individual decision based on your specific needs & situation. Bottom line…speak with an independent agent that specializes in Medicare Supplement Insurance to compare.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Bill

[tcxr750]

Warning!!!! My understanding based on the AON rep is that to use the money in the HRA you have to buy the Health Insurance through them!!! If you use an independent agent no HRA $$$. Better check on this. Also be sure to use the Zipcode where you live! You can use different Zipcodes but that premium won't apply to your residence.
This thought is not exactly related, but you would think that the rep. at the call center would put in the computer a summary of your conversation so that when you call back any other rep. would have some idea of your previous conversation.

[Bill.Florida]

Refer to question #14 on the AT&T FAQ's document that I posted a few days ago that states the following...

14. Can HRA credits be used to reimburse expenses incurred for plans that are not purchased through the Aon Exchange?


The HRA is established after an eligible individual enrolls in a medical and/or prescription drug plan through the Aon Exchange. Once the HRA is established, any eligible expenses that this individual submits for himself for reimbursement will be processed. For example, if the
Individual is enrolled in a prescription drug plan through the Aon Exchange and is enrolled in a Medigap plan outside of the Aon
Exchange, eligible expenses incurred under either plan may be reimbursed through the HRA. Note, however, that the premium auto-
reimbursement feature will not be available for non-Aon Exchange plans. Claims will need to be submitted manually.

Have a good weekend,
Bill



Warning!!!! My understanding based on the AON rep is that to use the money in the HRA you have to buy the Health Insurance through them!!! If you use an independent agent no HRA $$$. Better check on this. Also be sure to use the Zipcode where you live! You can use different Zipcodes but that premium won't apply to your residence.
This thought is not exactly related, but you would think that the rep. at the call center would put in the computer a summary of your conversation so that when you call back any other rep. would have some idea of your previous conversation.

[UnknownBA]

Hello,

I just happened to come across this forum. I'm a Benefits Advisor with Aon.

A few things you should know about your Benefits Advisors - we are overworked, generally disregarded by our company. It's a call center environment so many of us are suffering just as badly as you having to go through this transition. There are major concerns regarding whether or not we will be able to successfully enroll all 225,000 of you on time, if we have the capacity to do such a thing. If too many people cannot decide on their first call what they want for an insurance policy, it is likely we may not enroll all 225,000 before the end of November, which was our original goal (the deadline is still December 31).

Employee engagement (i.e. job satisfaction and work productivity) at our company is extremely low. While Aon has been trying to make improvements, there is a general disrespect for the Benefits Advisor, who is generally overworked, forced to work on days right before and right after major holidays (i.e. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's). Sometimes, though, its not just Aon that tends to disrespect us, but the retirees, too! We feel the heat from everyone, and we are tracked by CMS via our recorded calls, so if we do something incorrectly, we get fined or sent to hell. Then there's some jerkface on the other end of the call that's monitoring us and telling us how much we suck at our job. The job of your BA is rough. Our only saving grace is that many of us really do want to do what is in your best interest. The bad news is, however, that Aon's interests do not always coincide with us. Aon is only looking for the bottom line and to preserve their reputation at all times, even if that means withholding information from you, and from us. That's fairly obvious, or else we as Benefits Advisors would be much happier as they'd make more investments into our needs and involve us in their strategy. As if that would ever happen. We are just robotic drones which are generally not allowed to have an opinion or allowed to voice discontent. Except on message boards like these when we're safely anonymous.

[DaveNull]

Medicare Advantage and Supplemental policies are available via AON Health Exchange but to qualify for and trigger the HRA one is not required to purchase a Medical through AON; the purchase of a Prescription Drug Plan through AON is sufficient.
Has anyone here seriously considered doing that and shopping for a Medical plan elsewhere?

[DaveNull]

You get better plans and better pricing going through an independent agent. I would think everyone would go elsewhere.

That would be logical. I am hesitant because I worked for Ma Bell for 30 yrs and know how they are. Basically I don't trust them and would hate to lose coverage because of wording of the "rules" of the plan. I can easily see them rescinding or otherwise negating the phrase "enroll in a medical and/or prescription drug plan".

I have read the Summary Plan Description and found the following on Page 7: "You must be an Eligible Former Employee to participate in the Program........
You are NOT eligible to participate in the Program if you are an Active Employee or an "Eligible Retired Employee" as defined in a collective bargaining agreement."

Can anyone explain to me exactly what that means?

Thanks!

[tcxr750]

At the bottom of page 5 of the SPD it says see the "Contact Information" section. That starts on page 40. Maybe 800-928-8027. Every year we renewed our health and other insurance without much difficulty. This time it couldn't be made more complicated.
I'm not sure what an Independent Agent has to offer. I've looked at the plans in the 2015 Medicare Handbook and online at the plans of some of the Big Name medicare insurers and I don't see a difference in pricing between those sources and the AON/Hewitt website. I mean there are name plans with "o" premium how can you get cheaper than that! The big variation appears to be copays and deductibles between plans. That affects pricing.

[DaveNull]

At the bottom of page 5 of the SPD it says see the "Contact Information" section. That starts on page 40. Maybe 800-928-8027. Every year we renewed our health and other insurance without much difficulty. This time it couldn't be made more complicated.
I'm not sure what an Independent Agent has to offer. I've looked at the plans in the 2015 Medicare Handbook and online at the plans of some of the Big Name medicare insurers and I don't see a difference in pricing between those sources and the AON/Hewitt website. I mean there are name plans with "o" premium how can you get cheaper than that! The big variation appears to be copays and deductibles between plans. That affects pricing.

That makes sense to me. I'll check out the 2015 Medicare Handbook. Thanks!

[themarinos]

How did you make out with your choices, what did you pick, also are you using Tricare for life as well and how was the prices for the coverage's on the list

[tcxr750]

Hello,

I just happened to come across this forum. I'm a Benefits Advisor with Aon.

A few things you should know about your Benefits Advisors - we are overworked, generally disregarded by our company. It's a call center environment so many of us are suffering just as badly as you having to go through this transition. There are major concerns regarding whether or not we will be able to successfully enroll all 225,000 of you on time, if we have the capacity to do such a thing. If too many people cannot decide on their first call what they want for an insurance policy, it is likely we may not enroll all 225,000 before the end of November, which was our original goal (the deadline is still December 31).

Employee engagement (i.e. job satisfaction and work productivity) at our company is extremely low. While Aon has been trying to make improvements, there is a general disrespect for the Benefits Advisor, who is generally overworked, forced to work on days right before and right after major holidays (i.e. Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year's). Sometimes, though, its not just Aon that tends to disrespect us, but the retirees, too! We feel the heat from everyone, and we are tracked by CMS via our recorded calls, so if we do something incorrectly, we get fined or sent to hell. Then there's some jerkface on the other end of the call that's monitoring us and telling us how much we suck at our job. The job of your BA is rough. Our only saving grace is that many of us really do want to do what is in your best interest. The bad news is, however, that Aon's interests do not always coincide with us. Aon is only looking for the bottom line and to preserve their reputation at all times, even if that means withholding information from you, and from us. That's fairly obvious, or else we as Benefits Advisors would be much happier as they'd make more investments into our needs and involve us in their strategy. As if that would ever happen. We are just robotic drones which are generally not allowed to have an opinion or allowed to voice discontent. Except on message boards like these when we're safely anonymous.
My enrollment contact with an AON advisor went well and was a very positive experience. It was necessary for my wife and I to research the insurance plan information on the website to make a truly educated decision.
Regarding the AON employee experience, this seems to parallel a similar contact I had with Express Scripts. Some agents and management were helpful, others were not. Searching the internet employee comments reveal a similar on the job experience similar to yours. Sweat shop? I wonder if those call centers in India and the Philippines treat their employees the same way.