One answer re: signing up for Medicare D, then later returning to STRS plan

Subject: RE: Question re: Medicare D
Date: 10/13/2005 8:36 A.M. Eastern Standard Time
From: Gary Russell

Dear Ms. Bracy

Under current rules, to come back in to the STRS Ohio Health Care Plan, you must be terminating medical and drug coverage. If you are not terminating coverage there is a six month waiting period. Each Medicare D plan that is offered may have its own restrictions or requirements for terminating that plan so you will want to find out what those restrictions or requirements are before enrolling. STRS Ohio doesn't have any restrictions that are unique to the member coming from a Medicare D plan. However, this would only cover the drug side, you would also have to be terminating the medical plan that you enrolled in.

I hope this helps,
Gary Russell
Director, Member Services

From: Kathie Bracy
Sent: Wednesday, October 12, 2005 4:40 PM
To: Gary Russell
Subject: Question re: Medicare D

Gary --

If a retiree signs up for Medicare D and decides later they want to return to the STRS plan, will they be allowed to do so?

Thank you --
Kathie Bracy