Health Benefits (PERACare)

PERACare is PERA’s health benefits program that offers a variety of plans with health, dental, and vision care coverage. PERACare plans offer comprehensive coverage that includes preventive care, outpatient services, hospital stays, and emergency care. Some plans also offer benefits such as in-home support and fitness programs.

You can enroll or make changes to your coverage during the annual open enrollment period in October and November.

Who is eligible for PERACare?

PERACare plans are designed to cover retirees, benefit recipients, and their eligible dependents.

PERACare offers a variety of plans based on Medicare eligibility:

• Pre-Medicare plans for those who are not yet eligible for Medicare (under 65)
• Medicare Advantage plans, which combine Medicare Parts A and B with Part D prescription coverage
• Combination coverage for both pre-Medicare and Medicare-eligible enrollees

In order to enroll in a Medicare Advantage plan, you must enroll in Medicare Part A if you’re eligible to receive it at no cost, as well as Medicare Part B.

For questions about Medicare, visit medicare.gov.

Premiums and subsidies

Your PERACare health care premium is based on the plan(s) you select, the number of people you enroll, and your PERA subsidy.

PERA provides a subsidy to retirees and some cobeneficiaries and survivors to help offset PERACare health care premiums. The subsidy amount is based on your years of service, for a maximum subsidy of $230 for pre-Medicare retirees with 20 or more years of service and $115 for most Medicare retirees with 20 or more years of service. By law, the subsidy cannot be applied to dental or vision premiums.

In addition to your PERACare premium, you must also pay your Medicare Part B premium in order to maintain coverage. If you do not pay your Part B premium, you will lose both Medicare and PERACare coverage.

See the informational booklets below for more information on premiums and subsidies.

Forms and Resources