Retiree Health

Harvard provides optional medical and dental coverage to eligible retirees, their spouses/domestic partners (at the time of retirement) and their eligible dependents.

Your eligibility and cost for retiree health coverage depends on several factors, including when you began working at the University, your employee group, the length of your University service and date of retirement. For details, please review our Retiree Health Coverage overview.

For an estimated date when you may meet eligibility for retiree health benefits, please click on our post-retirement health eligibility calculator.

Effective March 20, 2024 - We Are Moving!

On March 20, Harvard Benefits will be moving to 124 Mount Auburn Street.

Our new location does not allow for unscheduled walk-in traffic, so in-person meetings will be by appointment only. We strongly encourage virtual Teams/Zoom appointments when possible.

Virtual and in-person appointments for faculty, staff, and retirees can be scheduled by calling 617-496-4001 or by emailing benefits@harvard.edu.

A Notice About the BlueCross BlueShield NASCO Data Security Incident

On October 26, 2023, BlueCross Blue Shield (BCBS) informed us that one of their vendors, NASCO, which provides back-end technical solutions for BCBS plans across the country, had their system accessed without authorization. This was part of the MOVEit Transfer file transfer program breach that occurred earlier this year which affected thousands of organizations worldwide.

NASCO began mailing notification letters to impacted BCBS and HUGHP members on October 27, 2023, explaining what data was impacted and steps members can take to protect their information.

Please refer to BCBS's NASCO MOVEit Privacy Incident Notice for more information. If you are an impacted health plan member with questions about the incident call 1-855-873-7643.

HPHC Medicare Enhanced

For retirees and covered dependents enrolled in HPHC Medicare Enhanced, there will be not member cost-sharing on the following COVID-19 services until further notice:

  • COVID-19 diagnostic testing
  • COVID-19 treatment
  • Telemedicine services for the treatment of COVID-19. Telemedicine services are covered when medically necessary and clinically appropriate. 

BCBS Medex

Cost-sharing and copayments waived as follows:

  • For medically-necessary testing, counseling (vaccines, when available) and treatment provided at doctors' offices, emergency rooms and urgent care centers, and acute inpatient care consistent with the guidance issued by the Massachusetts Division of Insurance. Any medical treatment for COVID-19 is covered under a member's health plan within the U.S. and internationally.
  • For telephonic and telehealth visits when covered by Medicare, and with a Medicare participating provider, for COVID-19 services.

Tufts Health Plan Medicare Preferred

This plan works with Medicare to cover related needs, as follows:

  • Medicare covers the lab tests for COVID-19. Members pay no out-of-pocket costs.
  • Medicare covers all medically necessary hospitalizations. This includes if you're diagnosed with COVID-19 and might otherwise have been discharged from the hospital after an in-patient stay, but need to stay in the hospital under quarantine.
  • Cost-sharing is waived for COVID-19 lab tests.
  • Cost-sharing is waived for telehealth for COVID-19 related care.
  • Learn more.

Express Scripts, provider of pharmacy benefits for all Harvard medical plans, offers home delivery for medications. Also note that early refill requirements will be removed for 60 days starting Monday, March 16.

Medial plans continue to evaluate the situation; be sure to check back for updates (posted 3/16/2020).

Plans for Retirees/Dependents Age 65 and Over

Retirees and eligible spouses/domestic partners (and eligible dependents if any) age 65 and over may choose from one of the following plans that supplement Medicare:

View plan feature comparison charts and rates here. 

These plans supplement Medicare and you must also enroll in that coverage 2-3 months prior to turning age 65. You can get additional information at www.Medicare.gov. Also please review this Glossary of Medicare Terms and FAQs.

Prescription Coverage for Retirees in Senior Medical Plans: Participants in Harvard’s medical plans for those over age 65 (except Kaiser Permanente) receive prescription drug benefits included as part of their medical coverage. There is no need to sign up for a separate Medicare Part D plan. Express Scripts Medicare® is the administrator for the prescription benefit in all Harvard-sponsored medical plans. Retirees with questions may call Express Scripts at 877-787-8684 with questions and visit express-scripts.com for more information and to set up an online account.

Plans for Retirees/Dependents Under Age 65

Retirees and eligible spouses/domestic partners (and eligible dependents if any) under age 65 may choose from the same plans offered to active employees.

  • Retiree faculty and nonunion staff under age 65 are covered under the active plans for faculty and nonunion staff
  • Retirees under age 65 who were members of ATC, HUPA, HUSPMGU, Local 26, and SEIU and retired prior to 9/4/2014 are covered under the active plans for faculty and nonunion staff; those who retired on or after 9/4/2014 are covered by the plan for their union
  • Retirees under age 65 who were members of HUCTW and retired prior to 7/5/2011 are covered under the active plans for faculty and nonunion staff; those who retired on or after 7/5/2011 are covered by the plan for their union

Retirees and covered dependents may be eligible to use SmartShopper, a free service that helps you compare costs for certain medical procedures and tests, find lower cost providers and receive a financial incentive up to $250 for using a preferred provider. Learn more.

Retirees and covered dependents under age 65 are eligible for program through PillarRx Consulting that finds copay assistance programs from drug manufacturers for certain specialty medications. If you are prescribed an eligible medication, you will be contacted by PillarRx with details. Learn more.

View plan feature comparison charts and rates here. 

 

Notice: Transparency in Coverage Rule

In 2020, the Federal Government finalized “Transparency in Coverage” Rule, which requires health insurers and group health plans and sponsors to provide cost-sharing data to consumers via machine-readable files and consumer transparency tools.

 

Dental Plan for Retirees

If you meet the eligibility requirements for retiree health, then you and your spouse (and eligible dependents if any) may participate in the retiree MetLife PDP Plus Dental Plan, which has a national network of dentists, including those at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine Facutly Practices in Longwood and Cambridge.

You will have two opportunities to enroll in retiree dental coverage:

  • At the time of retirement; or
  • When you enroll in retiree medical coverage for the first time, if after your initial retirement date

Please review the MetLife Dental Plan Summary for coverage information. Click here to view rates.
 

Your MetLife Dental Member ID Card

MetLife Dental currently uses the subscriber's Social Security number (SSN) as the dental insurance member ID for subscribers and their enrolled dependents. The University chose not to have this printed on the dental ID cards.

You will need to supply the below info to your provider so they can confirm your benefits and process your claims.

Member ID number for all enrolled family members - You can provider one of the following:

  • Subscriber's HUID (first 8 digits), or
     
  • Subscriber's SSN