Medicare Medical Plans through FSRBC
The FSRBC is pleased to offer competitively priced, high-value Medicare Plans to retirees from participating School Districts throughout Florida.
Eligibility
You are eligible to enroll in an FSRBC Medicare plan if you are:
- 65+ years old
- Retired from one of the participating districts
- Enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A and B
Spouses, of active an employee or retiree of a participating district, who are 65+ years old and enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B are also eligible to enroll.
Original Medicare Overview
What is Medicare?
- Medicare is a Federal program that is part of the Social Security Act.
- Medicare provides health care coverage to individuals who are age 65 and above; or under age 65 with certain disabilities, or individuals of any age who have End Stage Renal Disease (ESRD).
- It is made up of Parts A, B, C and D.
- Parts A and B make up what is known as “Original Medicare” and does not cover all medical costs, so you are responsible for Part A and/or Part B cost sharing, which includes premiums, deductibles, coinsurances and prescription drug costs.
- Part C refers to Medicare Advantage Plans.
- Part D refers to Prescription Drug Plans.
You must be enrolled in Original Medicare Parts A and B to enroll in a plan through FSRBC. You sign up for Original Medicare through Social Security. Enroll online, go to https://www.ssa.gov/medicare.
Medicare Information
1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227)
- Medicare and You Handbook 2024
- Medicare Provider Search
- Medicare Supplement Sample Rate Search
- How To Apply Online For Medicare
- Medicare Special Enrollment Period – Request for Employment Information
Social Security
1-800-772-1213
Florida Retirement System (FRS)
Bureau of Retirement Calculations: 1-888-738-2252
Enrollment Section: 1-877-377-3675
Retiring and Choosing a Medicare Plan
Ready to Retire? – Next Steps
- Contact your Districts Human Resources or Benefits Department to schedule your appointment.
- Enroll in Original Medicare
- If already enrolled in Part A, you must enroll in Part B
- If you haven’t enrolled in Part A and Part B, complete your application for Medicare.
- Must be enrolled in Part A and Part B to enroll in a Medicare Medical Plan
- Review FSRBC Medicare plans available, while your Original Medicare Application is processing.
- Enroll in an FSRBC Medicare Plan – Once you have your Medicare Card showing Medicare Number with Part A and B effective dates, you are ready to enroll in a Medicare Plan.
- Attend one of FSRBC webinars for more information about Medicare medical plans offered through FSRBC. Visit myfsrbc.com to sign up.
- If you have more questions, email benefits@myfsrbc.com
Choosing a Medicare Plan
If you are a new retiree and are currently enrolled in your employer’s plan, below is an example to show how the typical services covered by your employer’s plan may compare to the FSRBC Medicare plans. These could vary depending on plan type and carrier. Please refer to specific plan documents to review covered benefits.
| Employer | Original Medicare | FSRBC Plans | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Benefit | Traditional Employer PPO | Part A | Part B | MAPD | MED SUPP | PDP |
| Office Visits | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Inpatient Hospital Care | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Skilled Nursing Facility | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Hospice Care | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Home Health Care | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
| Outpatient Care | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Durable Medical Equipment | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Preventative Services | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Labs & Imaging | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | ||
| Prescription Drugs | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |||
EDUCATIONAL VIDEOS COMING SOON!
Medicare Medical plans offered by FSRBC
Once you have received your Medicare card with Medicare # and Part A/B Effective Date you are eligible to enroll in a Medicare Medical Plan through FSRBC. Please review our enrollment guide and plan comparisons below to ensure you choose the best plan for you.
Enrollment Guides
Plan Comparisons
Preparing for Medicare Presentation
Medicare Advantage with Prescription Drug Plans (MAPD)
- Medicare Advantage plans combine Parts A and B (Original Medicare) into one comprehensive plan (Part C)
- All FSRBC Advantage plans include prescription drug coverage (MAPD)
- Drug tiers can vary based on plan, which can impact cost – know which drug tier prescription drugs fall into
- Medicare Advantage plans function similarly to an employer HMO or PPO plan
- Like with an employer plan, the MAPD plan provides you with comprehensive coverage. When you present your insurance card, you’ll show them your MAPD card instead of your Medicare “red, white, and blue” card
- Spouses can be covered under the Retiree’s account selecting their own separate plan
- Policies are provided by private insurance companies
UnitedHealthcare MAPD Plans – Available to All Districts
| Plan Names | 2024 Retiree Premium | Plan Documents | Formulary (Drug List) |
| Group National PPO* | $0.00 | 2024 UHC Group Plus PPO_MAPD | 2024 Group Plus PPO Formulary_MAPD |
| Low Premium National PPO | $76.98 | 2024 UHC Low National PPO_MAPD | 2024 Low National PPO Formulary_MAPD |
| Comprehensive National PPO | $238.10 | 2024 UHC Comprehensive PPO_MAPD | 2024 Comprehensive PPO Formulary_MAPD |
| Premier National PPO | $357.58 | 2024 UHC Premier PPO_MAPD | 2024 Premier PPO Formulary_MAPD |
Click Here to search for UnitedHealthcare in-network Providers and Pharmacies
Aetna MAPD Plans – ONLY available to Manatee County Retirees
| Basic PPO | $116.66 | 2024 Aetna Basic PPO_MAPD | 2024 Basic Plan Formulary_MAPD |
| Enhanced PPO | $462.01 | 2024 Aetna Enhanced PPO_MAPD | 2024 Enhanced Plan Formulary_MAPD |
Florida Blue MAPD Plans – ONLY available to Polk County Retirees
| Low PPO (closed to new enrollments) | $189.98 | 2024 Florida Blue LPPO_MAPD | 2024 Florida Blue Formulary |
| Group PPO | $381.91 | 2024 Florida Blue Group PPO_MAPD | 2024 Florida Blue Formulary |
Humana MAPD Plans – ONLY available to Palm Beach, Sarasota and Volusia County Retirees
| Humana Zero Premium HMO | $0.00 | Coming Soon | Coming Soon |
| Humana Comprehensive PPO | $295.02 | Coming Soon | Coming Soon |
** Please Note: This plan is only available for Florida Residents who reside in the service area. In 2024 this plan is NOT available if you reside in any of the following Florida 14 Counties: Baker, Broward, Bradford, Calhoun, Citrus, Dixie, Gilchrist, Hamilton, Lafayette, Levy, Liberty, Madison, Miami-Dade, Monroe, Okaloosa, St. Lucie, Suwannee, Taylor, Union. 2024 Group PPO Plus Service Area
Medicare Supplement Plans (MedSupp)
- Offer more complete medical coverage and help pay some of the health care costs that Original Medicare doesn’t cover, like copayments, coinsurance and deductibles.
- Sits on top of Original Medicare
- Prescription Drugs are not covered
- Retirees must have Medicare Part A and B to enroll in a MedSupp plan
- Policies only cover one person. Retirees and spouses would have to buy separate policies.
- Policies are provided by private insurance companies
- Policies are individually rated (Gender, Zip, Health Status (smoker/nonsmoker))
Retirees of All Districts are able to enroll in Medicare Supplement Plans through UnitedHealthcare.
-
- Available Plans: A, F, G, N
- Monthly premium cost varies based on age, gender, zip code and smoking/non-smoking status. This cost can be provided prior or at enrollment, on an individual basis.
- To look up your estimated monthly premium for a UnitedHealthcare supplement plan, visit: Florida Medicare Supplement Rate Search
- Contact FSRBC’s UnitedHealthcare customer service for additional information by calling (877) 776-1466
- You will receieve a UnitedHealthcare AARP Medicare Supplement Packet in the mail
- Application with personalized information included, which is needed for enrollment in a Medicare Supplement Plan.
- Representative will confirm receipt at time of enrollment. Enrollment will be delayed if you do not have the packet.
- If retirees are not AARP members, the representative will complete that AARP enrollment and United Healthcare will pay the premium for one year. Supplement Plan coverage will be maintained there after even with no AARP membership.
Retirees from Orange and Osceola are able to enroll in Medicare Supplement plans through Cigna.
-
- Available Plans: F, G, N
- Monthly premium cost varies based on age range and zip code.
- Monthly premiums costs can be view here – 2024 FSRBC Cigna Rates
NOTE: Plan F is no longer accepting new enrollments from those with a Medicare eligibility date later than 1/1/2020
Prescription Drug Plans (PDP)
- Are a separate plan that provide additional drug coverage.
- “Donut hole” refers to coverage gap that occurs after member and plan have paid a certain amount on prescription drugs
- Medical coverage is not included in a Prescription Drug Plan
- Retirees must have Medicare Part A and B to enroll in a Prescription Drug Plan
UnitedHealthcare PDP Plans – Available to All Districts
| Plan Names | 2024 Retiree Premium | Plan Documents | Formulary (Drug List) |
| Comprehensive PDP |
$125.58 |
2024 Comprehensive_PDP | 2024 Comprehensive Formulary PDP |
| Premier PDP |
$310.94 |
2024 Premier_PDP | 2024 Premier Formulary_PDP |
| AARP Saver (FL rate) |
$80.60 |
2024 AARP Medicare Rx Saver_PDP | 2024 AARP Saver Rx Formulary_PDP |
| AARP Preferred (FL rate) |
$103.50 |
2024 AARP Medicare Rx Preferred_PDP | 2024 AARP Preferred Rx Formulary_PDP |
Comprehensive and Premier Plans – Click Here to search for UnitedHealthcare in-network Pharmacies
AARP Saver and Preferred Plans – Click Here to search for UnitedHealthcare preferred Pharmacies
Cigna PDP Plans – ONLY available to Manatee, Orange and Osceola County Retirees
| Basic Rx PDP |
$203.99 |
2024 Cigna Basic Summary_PDP | 2024 Cigna Formulary |
| High Rx PDP |
$310.14 |
2024 Cigna High Summary_PDP | 2024 Cigna Formulary |
Enrollment
How to Enroll:
Enrollment in a FSRBC Medicare Plan can be completed independently online or over the phone with one of our Medicare Customer Service Representatives.
- To enroll online visit myfsrbc.bswift.com and register for an account. For step-by-step instructions download our 2024 PY Initial Enrollment Guide_All District Plans.
- To enroll over the phone or for assistance with the online enrollment, please call our Medicare Customer Service Center at 1-833-686-0983. Open from 9am-5pm ET, Monday-Friday.
Enrollment Checklist
- Register for an account and confirm your personal information
- Add Medicare Parts A and B details. Be sure to verify your Medicare number and effective date, which can be found on your red, white and blue Medicare ID card
- Review network information to confirm your preferred medical providers, clinics and hospitals are in your plan’s network.
- Review Prescription Drug formulary
- Compare plans, using our comparison tool
- Set up payment option (FRS, ACH Bank Draft, Check)
- View and print your enrollment confirmation
FSRBC Medicare Billing & Payment
- Your monthly Medicare premiums are due monthly to FSRBC. Payment options include ACH bank draft, FRS (pension) and check.
- If you set your payment preference to ACH bank draft or FRS (pension) your monthly invoice can be viewed by logging into the Medicare portal at myfsrbc.bswift.com.
- If you set your payment preference to pay by Check you will receive your monthly invoice through the mail. The mailing address to pay by Check is:
bswift
P. O. Box 860728
Minneapolis, MN 55486-0620 - Effective October 1, 2020, access billing support through the Medicare Customer Service Center by calling 1-833-686-0983. Open from 9am-5pm ET, Monday-Friday.
- If you are new to the program and want to begin making payments through FRS (pension), you must take action. An e-signature is required via phone or online.
FSRBC Payment Timing
- FRS/Pension: Payment deducted on last business day of the month for following month (i.e. 12/31 for January coverage)
- ACH/Bank Draft: Payment deducted on the 5th of the billing month (i.e. 1/5 for January coverage)
- Check: Posted when check is received but payment is due the first of the month
Medicare FAQ’s
Medicare
Why does Center for Medicare Services (CMS) approve the enrollments?
CMS confirms Medicare eligibility and looks for any conflicting enrollments.
What happens if a retiree is approved by CMS?
Retiree is successfully enrolled in coverage.
What happens if a retiree is not approved by CMS?
Coverage is retroactively terminated and they will be refunded any paid premiums. The carrier will not process claims until approved by CMS.
Do you have to have Part B in order to enroll in a Prescription Drug Plan/Part D?
A retiree must have Part A to enroll in a Prescription Drug Plan. You do not have to have Part B, however FSRBC requires retirees to be enrolled in both Part A and Part B to join the Consortium.
When is the best time to apply for Part B?
When you’re 65 or older and retiring
If I am contributing to a Health Savings Account (HSA) should I apply for Part A?
You cannot contribute to a HSA if you are enrolled in Part A.
I have completed and submitted my Medicare application but have not received my card or heard back?
Follow up with Social Security to ensure they have received your application within a month. If you have applied online, you can check the status of the application.
Eligibility
If a person retires from the District, returns to Active work and then their contract ends, are they still eligible for FSRBC?
Yes
If a retiree is under 65 (and therefore not yet eligible for FSRBC), but her spouse is over-65, can he join FSRBC before her?
Yes, the spouse is able to join (The District must provide the applicable information to FSRBC)
If a retiree elects to purchase Medicare Medical coverage outside of FSRBC, are they still eligible for the coverages through FSRBC?
Yes, if a retiree enrolls in a Medicare plan outside of FSRBC, they can still enroll in dental or vision coverage through FSRBC.
If a retiree returns to Active work, can they retain any of the FSRBC benefits?
No – the retiree (and spouse, if applicable) will have to move back to the District’s Active benefits while the retiree is in Active status.
Retiree Updates
What if I need to update my address?
If you are currently enrolled in an FSRBC Medicare Medical plan you can update your address online by logging into your account at www.myfsrbc.bswift.com or by calling our Medicare Customer Service Center at 1-833-686-0983.
FSRBC Plans / Annual Enrollment
When I am applying for Medicare will my District benefits end automatically when my Medicare benefits start?
No, you will need to confirm when your District benefits end and have your Medicare coverage start at that time to ensure there is no lapse in coverage.
What happens if a retiree takes no action during Annual Enrollment and finds out later they don’t have coverage?
Please call our Medicare Customer Service Center at 1-833-686-0983, as soon as possible. FSRBC allows changes outside of a Life event in the month of January, however Medicare can only be updated prospectively.
The available plans do not meet my benefit needs, are there additional plans available?
FSRBC offers a variety of Medicare Advantage, Medicare Supplement and Prescription Drug Plans. All plans offer a variety of coverage plans.
My provider states I currently do not have coverage but I have paid my monthly premium?
Please call our Medicare Customer Service Center at 1-833-686-0983.
I have moved out of state and no providers are in my coverage network, can I change plans?
The majority of Medicare plans offered are national plans, meaning providers approved by Medicare are in-network. However, if you are enrolled in a regional HMO plan eligiblity is often determined by your zip code and a plan change may be required. Please call our Medicare Customer Service Center at 1-833-686-0983 to verify.
How do I check to see if my provider is in-network?
When selecting a plan, at time of enrollment, you can use the provider search tool in the enrollment portal to search providers or call our Medicare Customer Service Center at 1-833-686-0983 for further assistance.
If you are already enrolled in a Medicare Plan please call the number on the back of your Medicare Plan ID card for assistance or visit the applicable webpage.
FSRBC Medicare Medical Plans – Billing
Why did my rates increase?
Monthly premiums often change each year and are annually reviewed by FSRBC and their carrier partners; rates are adjusted accordingly based on plan changes and annual trends.
What happens if I receive an invoice with the wrong benefits indicated?
Please call our Medicare Customer Service Center at 1-833-686-0983, as soon as possible. FSRBC allows changes outside of a Life event in the month of January, however Medicare can only be updated prospectively.
What happens if I receive an invoice with the wrong premium indicated?
Please call our Medicare Customer Service Center at 1-833-686-0983.
What happens if I receive an invoice with the wrong payment preference indicated?
Follow the steps on the paper invoice to update the payment preference. The member can call or complete the steps online.
What happens if I receive an invoice with the wrong name?
Please call our Medicare Customer Service Center at 1-833-686-0983.
Can I pay for my coverages using FRS/Pension?
Yes, all premiums for Medicare Medical plans available through FSRBC can be deducted through your FRS pension.
How do I obtain my Florida Retirement System (FRS) Monthly Statement?
Contact Florida Retirement Services (FRS) at 1-866-446-9377
What if I have questions about Florida Retirement System (FRS) monthly statements?
Contact Florida Retirement Services (FRS) at 1-866-446-9377
How to receive Health Insurance Subsidy (HIS)? – Investment Plan
- Complete required HIS form from FRS.
- Your form can’t be completed until you take a distribution, all forms have an area to be completed by the District. See your District for more details.
- FRS mails the first payment as a check, with instructions for Direct deposit.
- You must be enrolled in a medical benefit to receive the HIS dollars.
How to receive Health Insurance Subsidy (HIS)? – Pension Plan
- Complete required HIS form from FRS, provided by FRS through the mail.
- All forms have an area to be completed by the District. See your HR/Benefit Office at your District for more details.
- HIS dollars will be added to your pension check.
- You must be enrolled in a medical benefit to receive the HIS dollars.