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Retirees

Frequently Asked Question

I will be retiring soon. What are my options for continuing my health insurance coverage when I leave State employment?

COBRA

When your eligibility for active employee group coverage ends, you may apply for continued medical and dental coverage's under the provision of the federal COBRA law. The coverage provided under COBRA is identical to the coverage provided to active employees.

You may elect COBRA for a maximum of eighteen (18) months. You have up to sixty (60) days from the date your active employee group coverage ends to elect COBRA coverage. To request a detailed information packet, contact us at 208.332.1860 or toll free at 1.800.531.0597, or by emailing ogi@adm.idaho.gov.

Retiree Group Medical Coverage

Retiree medical coverage is separate from COBRA. To be eligible for this coverage, you must be receiving monthly retirement benefits from a State of Idaho Retirement System (PERSI, Judicial branch, or Dept. of Labor). In addition, your unreduced Regular Retirement Allowance must equal or exceed the Single retiree premium rate in effect on the date your coverage becomes effective, OR you must have ten (10) or more years (20,800 or more hours) of credited State service.

Retired employees and their eligible dependents have Blue Cross Traditional or PPO medical coverage, but without vision or dental benefits. Premiums will initially be withheld from your sick leave entitlement. Once that entitlement is exhausted, premiums will be withheld from your monthly retirement allowance. If your retirement allowance is not sufficient to withhold monthly premiums, Blue Cross will bill you directly.

To maintain continuous coverage, you must complete a retiree medical plan enrollment application within sixty (60) days of the date your active employee coverage ends.

Medicare Supplements – Use of Sick Leave Funds

Retirees who are Medicare eligible can now utilize their unused sick leave funds to pay monthly premiums for a Medicare supplement plan offered by Blue Cross of Idaho, Regence Blue Shield of Idaho, or through AARP. Click here for more information.