CLEVELAND, December 3 — Effective January 1, 2010, the lifetime maximum will increase from $113,000 to $118,900 under the Railroad Employees Early Retirement Major Medical Benefit Plan (ERMA or GA-46000).
The calculation of the new lifetime maximum was based on the October 2009 release of Consumer Price Index data for Hospital and Related Services and Physician Services.
For individuals who have reached the lifetime maximum, the incremental maximum available is applied to eligible expenses submitted for dates of service on or after the effective date of the new maximum. For 2010, this amount will be $5,900.
Under ERMA, covered expenses are reimbursed at 80% after a $100 calendar year deductible. Eligible employees can also elect to enroll in GA-23111 Plan E, which pays 70% of the 20% not covered under ERMA after a $100 calendar year deductible is satisfied (50% for non-confining mental & nervous expenses). The reimbursement coinsurance between the two plans is 94% of covered expenses.
Employees who are unsure of their eligibility for ERMA should contact the UnitedHealthcare Plan Administrator at 1-800-842-5252. A Customer Care Professional will provide additional information, answer questions and/or provide coverage booklets and enrollment forms.
Employees are also encouraged to access www.myuhc.com/railroadinfo. UnitedHealthcare designed the Web site to serve as an additional resource for their railroad membership. It contains specific information about GA-46000 and GA-23111 Plan E, as well as various forms that can be printed, saving employees valuable time.