Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield - Maine Education Association Benefits Trust Health Plans

For personalized results, log in or register at anthem.com, then select "Find Care." To search as a Guest, access our Find Care tool, then for MEA Standard Plans select “BlueChoice PPO” from the “Select a Plan or Network” drop-down menu, and for MEA Choice Plus select “HMO Maine/Small Group and Large Group” from the “Select a Plan” drop-down menu.

You can change your primary care physician (PCP) online by logging in or registering at Anthem.com, Anthem’s Sydney app, or by calling Anthem Member Services at 1-833-990-3607. The change will be effective on the first day of the month following Anthem’s receipt of your notice of change.

No—you can change your primary care physician at any time. The change will be effective on the first day of the month following Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield’s receipt of your notice of change.

Retiree Coverage Eligibility

A participant is eligible to continue coverage under the MEA Health Plan after terminating employment and to receive a direct bill or pension deduction for continued coverage if he or she meets one of the rules below:

• Under age 50: 10 years of continuous active service and Health Plan coverage; and active participation and coverage in the Health Plan for the immediate 12 months prior to termination of employment.
• Over age 50: 5 years of continuous active service and Health Plan coverage; and active participation and coverage in the Health Plan for the immediate 12 months prior to termination of employment.
• Dependents must be added to employee’s policy no later than the date of transition from the active plan to the retiree plan. Once an employee is retired, they cannot add anyone to their policy unless it is within 60 days of marriage or the birth/adoption of a child.

To take advantage of these rules, the participant’s employer must be in the MEA Health Plan on the participant’s date of retirement/termination of employment.

Coverage

Your retiree health coverage is determined by the Health Plan bargained by your local bargaining unit. If your local unit bargains in new health benefit options, these options will be made available to all non-Medicare eligible retirees annually at the Selection/Annual Enrollment Period.

Insurance Carrier

If your local Association changes its health insurance carrier, then all retirees (under or over 65) will have to go with the new insurance company. You may not stay with the MEA Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield health plan. This is in compliance with Maine State law.

Note: Special provisions apply to schools coming from another carrier.

Beginning the Process

You should begin the paperwork for retiree coverage a minimum of 3 months prior to retirement. Coverage is not automatic -- in most cases, you must initiate the request for paperwork.

Your Pay Deduction

Most teacher contracts provide that your health insurance be paid for by the school during the summer months (July and August). Therefore, if you retire July 1st and start to receive your check immediately, there would be no deduction from your July 31st check. There would be a deduction from your August 31st check, because MSRS deducts in advance for the September premium.

State of Maine Contribution

The State of Maine contribution is 55% and is only for professional staff members as defined by the Maine Department of Education. The State does not contribute to the cost of coverage for dependents.

Dependent Coverage

Retiree coverage does not allow you to add dependents unless due to marriage. (Changes are permitted when transferring from active status to retirement.) Annual enrollment under the retiree plan allows you only to change your health plan option. It does not allow you to add dependents (except for new marriage).

Surviving Spouse Provisions

If the employee dies while insured under the health plan, the employee’s spouse and dependents who were covered at the time of the employee’s death will be eligible to continue the Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield coverage. The premium will be deducted from the MSRS check if applicable, or they will be direct billed. If the surviving spouse remarries, the group MEA Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield coverage will end the first of the month following the remarriage date.

Step 1

Download the form: 

  Health Insurance Transfer Form

Step 2

Please complete all the information requested in Section #1.

Step 3

Complete Section #2 if you want to delete a dependent.

Step 4

Complete Section #3 if you have both Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B, indicating claimant number and effective dates.

Step 5

Please check the appropriate item in Section #4, sign and date the form, and return it to your school department. Your school department will return the form to Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield.