FAQ

Am I eligible for health care coverage?

As of Aug. 1, 2023, new benefit recipients must have 20 or more years of total service credit to qualify for medical, dental and/or vision coverage.

Are my dependents eligible for coverage?

Yes. If you enroll in a plan, you may also enroll a spouse, a child under the age of 26 and/or a disabled adult child if eligibility requirements are met. For more information, check out our Eligibility and Enrollment Guidelines for Health Care Coverage document.

When can I enroll?

• If you are a new benefit recipient and meet the eligibility requirements, you may enroll yourself and eligible dependents when you apply for STRS Ohio monthly benefits. The effective date of coverage may begin on the retirement date if the application is received prior to the retirement effective date. Coverage may also be delayed up to three months after the effective date of benefits. If the retirement application is not received prior to the effective date, the earliest coverage may begin is the first of the month following receipt of the application.
• If you are an existing benefit recipient and meet the eligibility requirements, you may enroll yourself and eligible dependents through your Online Personal Account if you have experienced a qualifying event. You must submit your enrollment application within 31 days of the qualifying event.
• If you are an existing benefit recipient and meet the eligibility requirements, you may also enroll yourself and eligible dependents through your Online Personal Account during open enrollment, which is offered in November each year for medical plans and once every two years for dental and vision plans.

For more information, check out our Eligibility and Enrollment Guidelines for Health Care Coverage document.

Does money I have already paid towards my deductible and out-of-pocket maximum in my current plan apply to the STRS Ohio health care plan when I enroll?

No. Any amounts you have accumulated toward an annual deductible or out-of-pocket maximum do not transfer to your STRS Ohio plan.

Which medical plans am I eligible for?

Medical plans available to you are determined by your Medicare status on file with STRS Ohio and Medicare. All STRS Ohio plans include medical and prescription coverage.

• Plan options for Medicare enrollees are the Aetna Medicare Plan and the Aetna Basic Plan. Prescription coverage for both plans is administered by SilverScript, a Medicare Part D plan.
• Non-Medicare enrollees are eligible for the Aetna Basic Plan. Prescription coverage is administered by CVS Caremark.

Is prescription coverage included in STRS Ohio’s medical plan?

Yes. All STRS Ohio medical plans include prescription coverage. Prescription coverage for non-Medicare enrollees is administered by CVS Caremark. Enrollees with Medicare are covered by SilverScript, a Medicare Part D Plan.

Does STRS Ohio offer dental and vision coverage?

Yes. Eligible recipients can enroll in our dental and vision plans administered by Delta Dental and Vision Service Plan (VSP). Enrollment in an STRS Ohio medical plan is not required to enroll in the dental and vision plans. You may enroll in either or both plans. There is a separate premium for each plan.

How do I find out if my doctors are in the network?

Contact the plan administrator directly for a list of providers.

How do I find out what services and medications are covered?

Plan coverage documents provide an overview of the features of STRS Ohio’s medical, prescription, dental and vision plans. If you have specific questions about plan features, contact the plan administrator directly.

How much do I pay for coverage?

Medical, dental and vision premiums are deducted from your monthly benefit payment after taxes. For more information, check out a breakdown of monthly premiums for medical coverage and dental and vision premiums.

You can also obtain a personal estimate by logging in to your Online Personal Account, clicking the “Calculators” tab and then clicking “Health Care Estimate.”

Am I covered if I travel out of the country?

Coverage outside the United States is limited. Before traveling to a foreign country, check with Aetna and CVS Caremark or SilverScript to learn about how your coverage will be affected while you are abroad.

When will I receive my ID cards?

When you receive your ID cards depends on several factors, such as your Medicare status and when you submit your completed application and all required documentation for enrollment. For Medicare enrollees, it can take approximately 3–4 weeks to process your enrollment and receive your ID cards. Typically, you should receive your ID cards 3–4 weeks following the receipt of your completed enrollment application or by your health care effective date, whichever is later. The plans will issue your ID cards, not STRS Ohio. You will not receive ID cards for dental and/or vision coverage.

What if I need services before I receive my ID cards?

Contact the plan administrator to determine your enrollment status and for coverage questions.

I am currently enrolled. How do I confirm my plans and premiums?

Log in to your Online Personal Account and then click the “Health Care” tab. Your current health care plans and premiums will be listed.

If you are a new retiree and all your service credit has not yet posted, premiums displayed may be higher than the cost you pay once your service credit and account is finalized.

Can I cancel my coverage?

You may cancel your and/or your eligible dependent’s future medical coverage at any time through your Online Personal Account. All cancellation requests must be received by the 15^th of the month to stop the next month’s premium deduction from your STRS Ohio benefit payment. Retroactive cancellations are not permitted.

Once you are enrolled in the dental and/or vision plan, you must remain enrolled through the end of the contract period and pay monthly premiums, even if you no longer need or use services under the plan. You may cancel dental and/or vision coverage during the open-enrollment period which is every two years.

Am I eligible for Medicare?

Yes. A common misconception is that Ohio educators do not qualify for Medicare because they did not contribute to Social Security. You are eligible for Medicare when you turn age 65 even if you are not eligible for Social Security retirement benefits.

What parts of Medicare must I enroll in?

STRS Ohio requires all medical plan participants to be enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B at age 65 or when eligible. Medicare Part B is required for all enrollees. Medicare Part A is also required if it is available to you at no cost (premium free). If you decline Medicare Part B or premium-free Part A, you will no longer be eligible for STRS Ohio medical coverage.

When can I enroll in Medicare?

You have a seven-month initial enrollment period in which to sign up for Medicare. This period begins three months before you turn age 65, includes the month you turn age 65 and ends three months after the month of your birthday. For best results, we recommend applying for Medicare three months before your 65^th birthday so there is no delay in Medicare coverage.

A Medicare information packet is mailed to all health care program enrollees when it is time to enroll in Medicare. You can use Your Medicare Enrollment Checklist to help you track key steps in the enrollment process.

How do I enroll in Medicare?

If you are enrolling in both Medicare Parts A & B, you may be able to complete your Medicare application online through the Social Security Administration website. If you are not eligible for premium-free Part A and are enrolling in Part B-only, you must call Social Security at 800-772-1213 (toll-free) or visit your local Social Security Administration office to enroll.

Do I have to pay for Medicare?

Medicare Part A may be available to you at no cost (premium free). A monthly premium is required for Medicare Part B coverage. This premium is paid to Medicare, not to STRS Ohio.

How do I submit proof of Medicare?

Once you enroll in Medicare, you must provide proof of Medicare enrollment by submitting your Medicare information through your Online Personal Account.

What happens to my STRS Ohio medical coverage once I am enrolled in Medicare?

Medicare Parts A & B do not replace your STRS Ohio coverage. Instead, Medicare works with your STRS Ohio plan to provide maximum hospital and medical coverage.

After you submit proof of Medicare enrollment, you will be enrolled in the Aetna Medicare Plan unless you specify you want to be enrolled in the Aetna Basic Plan. You will also be enrolled in the Medicare Part D prescription plan administered by SilverScript.