I’ve previously summarized important information on scheduled changes to Rocky Flats retiree healthcare benefits. These changes were described in June 2014 letters to retirees and also further elaborated in public briefings by the new DOE benefits contractor (Washington River Protection Solutions)  implementing healthcare benefit changes for Rocky Flats retirees 65 or older. These healthcare benefits changes are currently scheduled to go into effect on January 1, 2015 and require near-term action by 65+ year old, benefits-eligible retirees to avoid loss of benefits. Please note: I’m acting in a purely unofficial capacity, do not endorse the benefits changes, and want mainly to make sure that my former colleagues are aware these important, upcoming changes so they can take timely and appropriate action. My main concerns are that some retirees may believe that they can safely ignore these changes because they were promised ‘lifetime benefits’ or, alternatively, some may be frustrated or overwhelmed by the apparent complexity of these changes. As I understand what is happening, these changes are moving forward and delay or inaction may result in Medicare-eligible retirees losing Rocky Flats-provided healthcare insurance coverage.

I’ve received many questions and comments since my initial blog postings and have myself attempted to find more information on the website provided in the healthcare benefits changes information letter (and packet) that I received by mail in June. That website has many links, but I was unable to find the correct pathway to access Rocky Flats information. When I called Rocky Flats Benefits Office at 1-866-296-5036 and United Health Care at 1-877-893-7224, they provided another link to a website a video recording of one of the informational briefings given in the Denver area in July 2014. For those that did not attend a briefing, I recommend watching the 1-hour video to learn what you will need to do over the next three months.

The first five minutes of the video explains that DOE issued a solicitation and subsequent contract award that required (paraphrased – in my words – of what the video said):
* the winning contractor to deal with increasing retiree benefits.
* Rocky Flats (RF) pension + healthcare benefits are currently more than twice comparable plans, and pension benefits are “untouchable”.
* The new benefits contract requires corrective actions to bring RF healthcare benefits in line with comparable plans, comparisons to 16 other companies.
* Many RF retirees may believe they were promised no changes ever, but DOE, and their contractor, and their counsels have reviewed the historical documentation and consider changes to retiree healthcare benefits can be made.
* Anyone having documents that promise something different is encouraged to submit a copy.

The video is full of information about the plans, examples of costs, and schedules. On schedules, the video indicates that there will be more information mailed October 1, 2014. The call center representative that I spoke with said the mailing date is (now) October 13. That delay will allow only about six weeks to navigate the complex change process and sign up by the current enrollment deadline of November 30, 2014. One suggestion made in the video is to ask your pharmacy for a list of your prescriptions and call the help line at 1-877-893-6308 to begin your evaluation for the best Medicare Part D or Medicare Advantage plan that will replace the prescription coverage we have now.

Best of luck to all of us navigating this benefits change process. Please alert former Rocky Flats colleagues who may have missed or possibly inadvertently dismissed the June 2014 notification letter that changes are coming. Please pass along the links and contact information contained above and/or refer them to this website. I plan to provide additional updates as information becomes available. My hope is that none of our colleagues lose their health care coverage due to lack of awareness, inaction or confusion.