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Retiree Benefits

2024 HCPSS Annual Open Enrollment

The annual Benefits Open Enrollment period will be held October 16th through November 3rd, 2023, and will not be extended.

Open Enrollment is the annual opportunity in which retirees can make changes to their benefit elections. Retirees should review their personal information, the benefits being offered by HCPSS, and the plans that they are enrolled in, to determine if they would like to make any changes.

HCPSS will continue to offer the same comprehensive benefits program in Plan Year 2024. It is important that all retirees review the Open Enrollment information below as it contains important changes for Plan Year 2024.

Retirees may make changes to their benefit elections by completing the 2024 Retiree Open Enrollment Benefits Change Form, and emailing the form to benefits@hcpss.org by November 3, 2023. You may take a photograph of the form and email it.

Please Note: If you do not wish to make any changes, your current benefit elections will continue for Plan Year 2024, and you do not have to submit any paperwork to the Benefits Office. Please only submit a form if you are making changes to your benefits.

Virtual Benefits Open House Event Dates / Times

Retirees will have the opportunity to learn more about their benefit options in 2024 by attending a Virtual Benefits Fair. Carrier representatives and HCPSS Benefits Office staff will be available to virtually meet and provide information and answer any benefit questions. Please note that the virtual fairs and accompanying chat rooms are accessible to all HCPSS active employees and families and are not confidential so please be mindful of disclosing any personal information.

Virtual fairs will be held from 10:30am – 12pm, and from 1-4:30 p.m. on:

  • Thursday, October 19
  • Tuesday, October 24
  • Wednesday, November 1

The Virtual Benefits Fairs will be accessible by visiting www.employeewellnesshub.com/hcpss/ (Note: this is a third-party website that is not managed or supported by HCPSS)

Questions?

HCPSS Benefits Call Center is open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. by calling 410-313-7333, Option 1. You also may email questions to benefits@hcpss.org

2024 Benefits

Annual Medical Costs

2024 Medical, Dental, and Vision Plan Costs

Medical and Prescription Plans

CareFirst BlueChoice HMO Open Access

With CareFirst BlueChoice HMO Open Access, you can select your doctor from a regional network of physicians, specialists and hospitals located throughout Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Northern Virginia. CareFirst aims to keep you healthy by emphasizing prevention, early detection and early treatment.

Prescription Plan – CVS Caremark

CVS Caremark continues to manage your prescription benefits on behalf of Howard County Public School System. CVS Caremark offers affordable medication pricing, thousands of network pharmacy choices (including home delivery) and personalized support for you and your family. If you are enrolling in the Medical Plan, you will be automatically enrolled in the Pharmacy Plan administered by CVS Caremark.

Dental Plans

Cigna PPO (Total Plan)

The Cigna PPO has a national network of dentists with no need to select a primary care dentists. Employees will have the freedom to visit any licensed dentist you wish, but selecting an “in-network” Cigna PPO provider will result in the lowest out-of-pocket costs to the employee.

Aetna DMO

Aetna DMO is a dental maintenance organization (DMO). Aetna DMO offers a list of participating dentists for your care. It is important that you review your choices of Primary Care Dentist (PCD) in your area to make sure that this is the right plan for your dental needs. A PCD selection will not be mandatory during enrollment process. However, in order to use your DMO benefits a PCD is required. Once you enroll, Aetna will send you a “Welcome Kit” in the mail The Welcome Kit will include a reminder of the mandatory PCD election and a sample ID card. Once the Welcome Kit is received, employees should call the Aetna Customer Service line at 877-238-6200 Monday through Friday 8:00am to 6:00pm or login to the member website at https://www.aetnaresource.com/p/HCPSS-Open-Enrollment-2023 to select your PCD and/or for additional assistance. Once a PCD is elected from the Aetna network, employees can set-up a dentist appointment to see their provider. There is no deductible to meet, no annual dollar maximums, and no claim forms for you to file.

Your selection of PCD must be made prior to the 15th of the month, in order to take effect the first of the next month.

Vision Service Plan (VSP)

Maryland State Pension

MetLife Insurance

Basic Life and Accidential Death and Dismemberment (AD & D)

HCPSS offers eligible employees life insurance and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance at not cost to the employees. The amount of life insurance is equal to the employees’ current annual salary.

Life, Accidental Death and Dismemberment Insurance Information

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