(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 benefits plan (the “Plan”) will take effect on January 1, 2015.
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 2015 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.
Effective January 1, 2015, your medical annual out-of-pocket maximums will increase as follows:
| Medical Option | 2014 | 2015 |
|---|---|---|
| Point of Service (POS; In-Network) and Traditional Indemnity |
|
|
| UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Advantage (PPO) | $1,600/individual (includes deductible; combined with out-of-network) |
$1,700/individual (includes deductible; combined with out-of-network) |
Effective January 1, 2015, your prescription drug copayments and annual out-of-pocket maximums will increase as follows:
| Point of Service (POS), Traditional Indemnity and UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Advantage (PPO) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Feature | 2014 | 2015 |
| Retail Copayments (up to a 30-day supply using an in-network pharmacy) |
|
|
| Mail-Order Copayments (up to a 90-day supply) |
|
|
| Annual Out-of-Pocket Maximum (in-network retail and mail order) | $1,600/individual (excludes deductible) |
$1,700/individual (excludes deductible) |
*Generic drug copayments will not increase for 2015.
Back to topAlcatel-Lucent is committed to keeping the cost of your prescription drugs down while providing you with the coverage you need. With this goal in mind, Express Scripts uses a set of coverage management programs to determine how the Prescription Drug Program will cover certain prescription drugs.
Effective August 15, 2014, additional coverage management programs were added. You will be notified by Express Scripts if you are impacted by any of the new programs.
Effective January 1, 2015, Univera HMO will not be available. If you are currently enrolled in this HMO, you will need to choose another medical option for 2015 or you will be enrolled in default coverage. For more information about default coverage, see “Check Your Default Coverage.”
If you retired after March 1, 1990, your costs for medical coverage, which are calculated as a percentage of your pension, will increase for 2015. The amount of your increase for 2015 is based on whether or not you cover any dependents and whether or not you are eligible for Medicare.
Also, if you retired prior to March 1, 1990, are eligible for Medicare, and elect the Traditional Indemnity option, you will experience a cost increase for 2015. If you elect the UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Advantage (PPO) option, you will not pay a monthly premium.
Review the YBR website during the annual open enrollment period for your 2015 premium costs.
Back to topThe 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 2015 during the marketplace open enrollment period (November 15, 2014 – February 15, 2015), you can drop your Alcatel-Lucent coverage. But keep in mind: If you drop Alcatel-Lucent coverage, Alcatel-Lucent medical, dental 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, 2014, to drop your Alcatel-Lucent coverage that would be effective as of January 1, 2015. 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 follows:
For the most current information about the health coverage available through the marketplace, please visit HealthCare.gov. 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).
When you log on to the YBR website, click the “Go Paperless” tile under “Highlights for You.” Follow the prompts to choose your preferred method of delivery (electronically or postal mail) and verify your contact information.
See “Using YBR” for more information.
Last year, there was a 28 percent reduction in the number of requests for printed Annual Open Enrollment Kits. Thank you for your continued efforts in helping us to go green!
As part of our corporate commitment to the environment, we will continue to provide more of your benefits information online instead of in print. So if you have not yet signed up to receive communications from the Alcatel-Lucent Benefits Center electronically, please take a few moments to do so now.
You do not need to wait until annual open enrollment to make this election. Just log on to the YBR website anytime. Select “Your Profile” and click “Personal Information.” Follow the steps to provide your preferred email address and update your preferred method of delivery.
1Includes Long Term Disability (LTD) and COBRA participants and survivors in the Family Security Program (FSP).