(This section is a Summary of Material Modifications [SMM] to the Summary Plan Description [SPD].)
The following changes to current Alcatel-Lucent benefits coverage under the Alcatel-Lucent health and welfare benefit plans (the “Plans”) will take effect on January 1, 2016.
Other Changes May Apply to HMO Coverage
Unless noted, the changes in this guide do not apply to Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) options. You will need to check the YBR website during the annual open enrollment period or contact the carriers of those options directly for their 2016 plan changes. Carrier contact information is located on the back of your HMO ID card and in the Benefits At-a-Glance and Resource Contact Information booklet.
The following changes were made to your prescription drug coverage over the past several months:
Effective January 1, 2016, your prescription drug copayments will increase as follows:
In-Network | 2015 | 2016 |
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Retail Copayments (up to a 34-day supply)5 |
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|
Mail-Order Copayments (up to a 90-day supply) |
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1 Generic drugs on Express Scripts standard Medicare Part D formulary
2 Plan-preferred brand-name drugs on Express Scripts standard Medicare Part D formulary
3 Non-plan-preferred brand-name drugs on Express Scripts standard Medicare Part D formulary
4 Specialty drugs with average costs of more than $500/month on Express Scripts standard Medicare Part D formulary
5 60- and 90-day supplies are available at double and triple copayments; for cost savings, use mail order
In addition, due to adjustments made by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), the following changes to your drug coverage for 2016 will also be made:
The chart below highlights the CMS adjustments for 2016.
2015 | 2016 | |
---|---|---|
Deductible amount | $320 | $360 |
“Donut hole” | After total payments (including copayments and deductible, plus the Plan’s cost for the drugs) reach $2,960, you pay 65% of the cost of generic drugs and about 45% of the cost of most brand-name drugs, up to $4,700. | After total payments (including copayments and deductible, plus the Plan’s cost for the drugs) reach $3,310, you pay 58% of the cost of generic drugs and about 45% of the cost of most brand-name drugs, up to $4,850. |
Cost-sharing outside of the “donut hole” | You pay the greater of 5% of the cost or a copayment of $2.65 for generics/$6.60 for brand-name drugs, per prescription, for the remainder of the year. | You pay the greater of 5% of the cost or a copayment of $2.95 for generics/$7.40 for brand-name drugs, per prescription, for the remainder of the year. |
While you are in the “donut hole,” either the Plan pays the rest of the costs for covered drugs, or they are paid for by drug manufacturers’ discounts.
For more information about how the Plan works, see the Benefits At-a-Glance and Resource Contact Information booklet.
Back to topReview the YBR website during the annual open enrollment period for your 2016 premium costs.
The easiest and most convenient way to access the information you need to enroll continues to be through the YBR website during the annual open enrollment period. However, if you do not have Internet access, or if you have Internet access but prefer to have a copy of the enrollment information sent to you, you must make your request through the Alcatel-Lucent Benefits Center’s automated system only.
Like YBR, the automated telephone system is easy and convenient to use, and it is available 24/7. Starting September 28, just follow these three simple steps:
The copy(ies) that you have requested will be mailed to your address on file within seven to 10 business days.
Note that if you have signed up to receive communications from the Alcatel-Lucent Benefits Center electronically, the copy of your default coverage record will be sent to your Secured Participant Mailbox on YBR within one business day. Annual open enrollment kits are always sent via U.S. Postal mail.
New This Year If You Enroll Online — Enhanced Online Enrollment Confirmation Statements
Good news! We have upgraded the enrollment confirmations that are emailed to you after you enroll online via YBR.
Your enhanced enrollment confirmation will automatically be emailed to you, if you have a preferred email address on file. Your confirmation will show all your benefit elections as well as their monthly costs.
The Affordable Care Act (healthcare reform) continues to bring big changes to the U.S. healthcare system.
As a reminder, in accordance with the Affordable Care Act, if you are not eligible for Medicare, you have an alternate source from which to purchase health insurance: the health insurance marketplace that is available in your area.
You should compare your Alcatel-Lucent health coverage with the coverage available through the marketplace. Many participants not eligible for Medicare may find marketplace coverage to be more affordable than medical coverage offered through the Alcatel-Lucent Plan.
If you enroll in Alcatel-Lucent health coverage during annual open enrollment and later decide to enroll in marketplace coverage for 2016 during the marketplace open enrollment period (November 1, 2015 – January 31, 2016), you can drop your Alcatel-Lucent coverage. But keep in mind: If you drop Alcatel-Lucent coverage, Alcatel-Lucent medical and prescription drug coverage for all members of your family will end, including those eligible for Medicare.
You must call the Alcatel-Lucent Benefits Center by December 31, 2015, to drop your Alcatel-Lucent coverage that would be effective as of January 1, 2016. If you call after December 31, your coverage will be dropped as of the first of the month following the date you call. (Note that the effective date that your coverage will be dropped may differ if your medical option requires a disenrollment form.)
The effective date for marketplace coverage will depend on when it is purchased, as described on HealthCare.gov. Please visit HealthCare.gov for the most current information about health coverage available through the marketplace. The Alcatel-Lucent Benefits Center cannot answer any questions about marketplace coverage.
Note: If you enroll in health coverage through the marketplace instead of through Alcatel-Lucent, you may not be able to enroll in Alcatel-Lucent coverage in the future. Please see the “Notes” and refer to the SPD for information on when you can make changes to your coverage.
The Affordable Care Act does not permit persons who are eligible for Medicare to buy health insurance through the health insurance marketplace. If you are eligible for Medicare and do not want to enroll for Alcatel-Lucent coverage, you may buy Medicare supplemental insurance on your own (for example, from an insurance company, broker or other resource that offers Medicare supplement plans).
Back to top1Includes COBRA participants and survivors in the Family Security Program (FSP).