Minimizing Health Insurance & Medication Costs

Minimizing Insurance Costs - Two ASRS Retirees

If both members of the family unit are ASRS retirees, such members can receive maximum benefit from the basic premium benefit program by having one member enroll in a medical plan with family coverage and having the other member enroll in a dental program choosing  the applicable tier (i.e. retiree plus 1 or retiree with family).

Savings do not apply unless both members of the family unit are retirees of the State and are eligible for the insurance subsidy provided by the Retiree Health Insurance Premium Benefit Program. No basic premium benefit is provided to retirees in the University Optional Retirement Plans.

Restrictions may exist  for the rural subsidy program.

Generic Drug Discounts

Remember to ask your pharmacy what the charge is for generic drugs bought through your health insurance program.  Many pharmacies now offer discounts for generic drugs. If your prescription is for a generic drug for which a discount is offered to the general public you should not be charged the co-pay price if their discount price is less.  Buy it at the discount price or get a new prescription from your doctor and go to another pharmacy offering a prescription discount plan and don't show your health identification card.

-- by Dick Murra, 10/9/2008