Early Retirees will be eligible for the same health plans that are available to active KCTCS employees through the Kentucky Employees Health Plan (KEHP) except for the Commonwealth Select Plan which is not available to retirees... View the Health Plan Options at http://personnel.ky.gov/benefits/dei/07planyear/

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Retirees who are age 65 or older and eligible for Medicare are no longer eligible to participate in the Kentucky Employees Health Plan. (KEHP Plan) They are eligible to participate in any Medicare Eligible Coverage plan offered by KCTCS.

For 2007, KCTCS offers Anthem "Blue Seniors Standard (Low Option) and Blue Seniors Standard with Prescription Drug Rider (High Option). Plan Benefits at a glance are attached as a link. Low Option coverage does not provide any prescription drug benefits. Anthem Blue Seniors is available nation-wide.
If the KCTCS retiree elects the high option plan with prescription coverage, the plan's prescription benefit provides "creditable coverage" and the retiree does not need to sign up for Medicare part "D".

KCTCS Medicare Eligible Plan Creditable Coverage Notice

If the KCTCS retiree elects the low option plan without prescription drug coverage, it is recommended that the retiree sign up for an available Medicare part "D" plan in their state of residence.

KCTCS will contribute up to  $ 360.03 monthly (not to exceed the premium cost) towards the purchase of a KCTCS sponsored Medicare Eligible Secondary Coverage policy for an eligible KCTCS retiree.

The KCTCS employer credit is available to the KCTCS Retiree only and not to the retiree spouse and/or dependent.

The surviving spouse may receive one half of the employer credit if the retiree had coverage on the spouse and was eligible to receive the credit at the time of death. Surviving spouse coverage continues for life.

A faculty/staff member who is 65 years old or older and has a minimum of 5 years but less than 15 years of continuous, regular full-time service is eligible to participate in the Medicare Eligible plan with KCTCS but is not eligible to receive the employer credit. They must pay the entire cost of the premium.

Any premiums not covered by the KCTCS contribution credit will be billed on a monthly basis. Administration of the billing will be handled by the KCTCS System Office Employee Benefits Department including processing of enrollments, Contact (859) 256-3100.

Retirees over the age of 65 should contact their respective retirement carrier, KTRS or KERS. The individual retirement carrier administers the over age 65 health insurance programs.
http://www.kyret.com/health_insurance_plans.htm (KERS)

UK early retirees are eligible for the same health plan options that are available to active employees
Eligibility for retirement for UK faculty/staff members occurs when the combination of the employee's age and years of regular full-time service (with a minimum of 15 years of continuous service at the time of retirement) equals or exceeds the number 75 ("Rule of 75").

KCTCS will provide a matching UK contribution not to exceed the cost of the premium. Retirees will be billed on a monthly basis for the insurance premiums not covered by the employer credit.
 
Any premiums not covered by the KCTCS, contribution credit will be billed on a monthly basis. Administration of the billing will be handled by the KCTCS System Office Employee Benefits Department including processing of enrollments, Contact (859) 256-3100.

Any surviving spouse of a retiree who is covered under a UK health plan may receive one half of the single UK Carveout Plan credit towards the cost of the health coverage. In order to be eligible for the surviving spouse credit, the retiree must have had coverage on his or her spouse at the time of death.

Policy Change Effective July 1, 2007:
Already retired employees and employees eligible to retire as of July 1, 2007 will contribute based upon a “true retiree” rate for their single coverage.

Active employees NOT eligible to retire until after July 1, 2007 will make contribution based upon the “true retiree” rate and in accordance with an Age/Service table

Effective January 1, 2007:
Retirees over the age of 65 are eligible for the fully insured UK Medicare Eligible PFFS Plan, administered by Humana.. This “Medicare Advantage” plan replaces both Medicare and Medicare supplemental coverage (Retiree must still sign up for Medicare parts A & B and pay the Medicare Part B premium).
The prescription coverage will be the same plan as available to active employees, the UK self-funded plan administered by Express Scripts.

Any surviving spouse of a retiree who is covered under a UK sponsored  Medicare Eligible health plan may receive one half of the single UK Plan credit towards the cost of the health coverage. In order to be eligible for the surviving spouse credit, the retiree must have had coverage on his or her spouse at the time of death.
For information about Medicare part "D" and the UK Carve-Out Plan please see link below: