This section provides some information for eligible City retirees and their dependents who have reached age 65 (or otherwise eligible for Medicare) and are participating on the City of Newport's Plan 65 group health insurance with Blue MedicareRx (PDP) group prescription drug plan.
Plan subscribers must elect Medicare Part A and Part B in order to participate on the City's group health and prescription drug plans when eligible.
Group Plan65 is a Medicare supplement plan, also known as "Medigap" that picks up where Medicare leaves off, making it easier for you to budget your healthcare expenses. The City has two group Plan 65 plans: Plan 65-C (Medicare eligible prior to 01/01/2020) and Plan 65-G (Medicare eligible after 01/01/2020). Both plans offer Skilled Nursing Benefits.
BSBSRI Plan 65-C Plan Summary for 2023 BSBSRI Plan 65-G Plan Summary for 2023
As part of the City's Medicare Supplement Group Plan 65, City retirees and qualified dependents are offered a prescription drug benefit which is as good or better than the standard Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit offered by the Federal Government . The City's Rx plan is considered to be "creditable coverage".
For a summary of prescription drug benefit coverage, please CLICK HERE.
This plan uses a formulary listing of drugs. To see the most up-to-date formulary listing, please visit the following website: http://Groups.RxMedicarePlans.com.
The Federal Government's Medicare program is health insurance for people who are 65 years or older; people under 65 years with certain disabilities; and/or for people of any age with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) (permanent kidney failure requiring dialysis or a kidney transplant).
There are difference Parts of Medicare which cover specific services:
Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) - helps cover inpatient care in hospitals; helps cover skilled nursing facility, hospice and home health care. Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) - helps cover doctor's services, hospital outpatient care, and home health care; helps cover some preventive services to help maintain your health and to keep certain illnesses from getting worse. Medicare Part D* (Medicare Prescription Drug Coverage) - a federal prescription drug option run by Medicare-approved private insurance companies; helps cover the cost of prescription drugs; may help to lower your prescription drug costs and help protect against higher costs in the future. *City of Newport offers a prescription drug plan that is considered to be "creditable coverage" (see 2023 creditable coverage letter and notice).
The Medicare system can be confusing to navigate. To simplify your navigation of the Federal government's Medicare system, please visit their website at www.medicare.gov for easy to understand information and tools to use in determining the resources you may require under this program.