Important Notice to Retirees Covered with the Retiree Health Program

The Trustees of the Alaska Teamster-Employer Welfare Trust are pleased to announce that they have secured a renewal of its retiree health program and has contracted with a new prescription drug program for all participating retirees its retiree program for the calendar year 2023.

If you currently participate in the Retiree Health program though United American, nothing will change regarding your medical coverage or underwriter for that program. This will remain the same as it has in the past. Continue to use your current ID card for medical providers.

If you currently participate in the Medicare Part D program underwritten by the IBT Voluntary Employee Benefit Trust (VEBA) you will be automatically enrolled in a new Medicare Part D program underwritten by Express Scripts effective as of January 1, 2023.

Your enrollment in the Express Scripts Medicare Part D plan is automatic; you do not have to do anything. You should not sign up with any other Medicare Part D plan as you cannot be enrolled in this plan and another Part D plan at the same time. Your prescription coverage through Alaska Teamster-Employer Welfare Trust will be cancelled if you enroll in another Medicare Part D plan.

The Alaska Teamster-Employer Welfare Trust chose a new Medicare Part D Plan because the Teamster Plus Medicare Part D Plan will not be renewing its Medicare Prescription Drug Benefit contract effective January 1, 2023. This means that in 2023, Teamster Plus will no longer offer Medicare Part D. Until your enrollment in Teamster Plus Medicare Part D ends on December 31, 2022, you should keep using Teamster Plus Medicare Part D network pharmacies to fill your prescriptions.

Beginning January 1, 2023, your benefits program for your medical coverage and prescription drug coverage, co-pays and plan design will remain essentially unchanged. In December 2022, you will receive a new welcome packet for your prescription drug coverage. This welcome kit will include: a new prescription drug ID card, summary of benefits, customer service phone number, Evidence of Coverage, Formulary drug listing, and Pharmacy Directory. You will not get a new medical card.

Please Note: You should continue to use your current prescription drug ID card to fill your prescriptions through the remainder of 2022. Your new prescription drug coverage will begin January 1, 2023.

 

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q. Do I need a new medical ID card for 2023?
A. No, you can continue to use your United American Insurance Company ID card for medical providers.

Q. If I get solicitations for prescription drug programs, should I enroll in one of those programs?
A. You should not enroll in another prescription drug program because if you do, it will automatically dis-enroll you from our new Group Medicare Part D Program with Express Scripts for 2023 for you.

Q. When will I get my new ID card and formulary for the Express Scripts Medicare Part D Program?
A. You will receive your new ID card and all welcome kit materials in December 2022.

Q. Who do I call if I have questions about this notice?
A. If you have a question about 2023 program and next steps, you can call United American at
1-800-353-6926.

Q. Who is Express Scripts?
A. Express Scripts contracts with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) to serve as a Medicare Part D Plan provider and a pharmacy benefit management (PBM) company.