EVENT SUMMARY | LIVING WELL WORKSHOP
The following article summarizes the original event which is listed below the summary.

October 2022 Workshop: Medicare changes and U of M retiree health plans

Tue, October 18 2022, 11am
 

The first part of UMRA’s 2022 health plan workshop featured representatives from HealthPartners: Barbara Cox, vice president for Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, and Amy Schultz, director of Medicare Programs. They discussed the changes in Medicare provisions included in the Inflation Reduction Act, which was passed by Congress earlier this year. These changes primarily affect drug coverage. They include:

  • Medicare will be allowed to negotiate prices for 60 high-priced drugs;
  • insulin and vaccine costs will be lowered in 2023;
  • drug manufacturers will be required to give inflationary rebates in 2023;
  • the “doughnut hole” in Medicare drug coverage will be eliminated in 2025; and
  • Part D premium growth will be capped at 6 percent per year, 2024–30.

Individuals may see some reduction in costs due to these changes. However, the changes are subject to legal challenge and congressional action.

The second part of the workshop was a presentation by Katie Kolodge, health and wellbeing consultant with the University’s Office of Human Resources (OHR). She began by describing the things that set U of M retiree plans apart from other, lower-premium plans. These include:

  • richer pharmacy coverage;
  • lower out-of-pocket costs and plan maximums for care;
  • vendors and plans vetted by the University; and
  • the convenience of having plans readily available at retirement

For 2023, there are few changes in the U of M plans. Detailed information can be found in the 2023 Benefits Enrollment Guide, by calling OHR at 612-624-8647, and by talking to individual vendors. 

Open Enrollment in the University’s plans continues until November 30. Note that this is earlier than the December 15 ending date for general Medicare Open Enrollment. 

During University Open Enrollment, those who already have University plans can continue with those plans, switch to other University plans, or leave the University plans. However, if you leave the University’s plans, you cannot return. 

—Ron Matross, UMRA president

Event recording
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LIVING WELL WORKSHOP

Medicare changes and your U of M health insurance options for 2023

Tue, October 18 2022, 11am
Representatives of Health Partners and the U of M Office of Human Resources

Location
Event to be held via Zoom.
 
 

The Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 includes significant legislation on prescription drug prices. To understand the potential impact on each of us as individuals, UMRA’s October health insurance workshop will feature a discussion of the legislation and what it means for beneficiaries of Medicare.  

Our presenters on this topic will be two experts from Minnesota-based HealthPartners, the largest consumer-governed nonprofit health care organization in the country: Barbara Cox, vice president, Legislative and Regulatory Affairs, and Amy Schultz, director, Medicare Programs.

Staff from the University of Minnesota Office of Human Resources (OHR) will then present their annual update on the University’s retiree health plans, including how the U of M plans compare to other plans, how to get detailed information on specific plans offered through the University, and how the annual enrollment process works.

Following the presentations, workshop attendees will have an opportunity to ask questions of the HealthPartners and OHR presenters.

The workshop will be a virtual presentation via Zoom webinar from 11 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. on Tuesday, October 18. Please register and mark your calendars to attend this important workshop.

Open Enrollment begins November 1.

—Ron Matross, UMRA president



Upcoming Events

Event Date: April 1, 2024, at 9:30am

Let's meet on the west side of Lake Nokomis by the main beach and shelter for a 5 to 5.5 mile hike.  We will go around the north end of the lake and on to Minnehaha Falls by way of Minnehaha Parkway, returning to the start by a different route through neighborhoods around the lake.  This is an easy hike on paved walkways.  Pace will accommodate all hikers.  


Event Date: April 2, 2024, at 9am

The Retiree Association at Winona State is inviting UMRA members to join them a trip to Portugal in 2024. The final date to register is October 2, 2023. You're encouraged to register some time in August as spaces will fill up.


Event Date: April 3, 2024, at 10am

UMRA members Vicki Gaylord and Craig Swan will share stories of their ancestors’ participation in social change movements in the late 19th and early 20th centuries—and how they discovered those stories—when UMRA’s Family History Interest Group meets via Zoom on Wednesday, April 3.


Event Date: April 4, 2024, at 1pm

The UMRA Cabinets of Curiosity tour will be at the College of Biological Sciences (CBS) Conservatory & Botanical Collection on the St. Paul Campus of the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities campus. The amazing glass-walled greenhouse features four biomes with distinct climates, landscapes, and floras, with particular emphasis on plants of the southern hemisphere. Please plan to join us in this special opportunity to visit spaces not normally open to the public. 


Event Date: April 9, 2024, at 12:30pm

“Mountains” is the theme for April 9 meeting of the UMRA Photo Club. Newcomers are always welcome.

 


 


Event Date: April 10, 2024, at 12pm

Enroll by June 30, 2023, and receive a $100 discount.


Event Date: April 15, 2024, at 9:30am

Join us for a 4 to 5 mile hike at one of the most popular parks in the West Metro, Richardson Nature Center in Bloomington.  It is located at the north end of Hyland Lake Park Reserve at 8737 East Bush Lake Road in Bloomington.  This trail is mostly dirt and grass with some paved areas.  Enjoy the park's wildlife and celebrate Tax Day with your UMRA hiking friends!


Event Date: April 15, 2024, at 10am

UMN Technology Commercialization facilitates the transfer of UMN innovation beyond the research lab by helping our diverse researchers in development of new products and services that benefit the public good, foster economic growth, and generate revenue to support the University's mission.


Event Date: April 16, 2024, at 11am

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Event Date: April 19, 2024, at 2pm

Joni Mitchell will lead the discussion of The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne when the UMRA book club meets via Zoom at 2 p.m. on Friday, April 19.


Event Date: April 23, 2024, at 11am

Generative artificial intelligence (AI) has attracted substantial debate recently because it can be used in many contexts, including educational settings to do things such as answer exam questions and write papers. But what is generative AI? And how can we know if it’s a good thing or a bad thing? Law School Professor Daniel Schwarcz will enlighten us during UMRA’s Luncheon Forum on April 23.


Event Date: April 24, 2024, at 10am

UMRA’s spring Armchair Traveler Program from 10 to 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday, April 24, will take us to South Korea with Marilyn DeLong and to Germany with Lynn C. Anderson. Please mark your calendars and save the date. 


Event Date: April 26, 2024, at 2pm

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Event Date: May 6, 2024, at 9:30am

We are so lucky to have former Arboretum Director and UMRA member, Peter Moe lead this approx 3.7 mile hike at the Minnesota Landscape Arboretum!  We will meet on the welcoming terrace and travel through the Arboretum's Display Gardens, Sensory Garden, Woodland Wildflower Garden,  Shade Tree Exhibit, Tall Grass Prairie, Rhododendron Garden, 1920 Red Barn and the Bee and Pollinator Discovery Center, Sphagnum Bog and Green Heron Pond, Display Gardens and many other gardens and plant collections. 


Event Date: May 6, 2024, at 12:45pm

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Event Date: June 14, 2024, at 7:05pm

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Event Date: June 17, 2024, at 11am

Picnic under the covered, open-air Como pavilion, gaze at the water, spy some birds, catch up with friends and former colleagues, and meet new members. We’ll have lunch with plenty of time for visiting and then compete in teams as we are challenged by our Quiz master(s)!