Benefit Changes for Basic, PLUS and Community Choice Members Effective February 1, 2010

There were changes to certain medical plan benefits for Basic, PLUS and Community Choice Plan members effective February 1, 2010. (Note: These changes do not apply to Medicare Extension (OME) Plan members. There were no benefit changes for Medicare Extension members on February 1, 2010.)

Typically, there are only health plan benefit changes once a year – at the beginning of the Plan year (July 1). However, like many public entities across the country, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts is currently experiencing a serious budget shortfall due to the poor economic climate. As a result, the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) has asked its health plans to make some changes to their plans to help the GIC operate within its budget constraints.

We understand that these unanticipated mid-year changes may put an additional strain on your personal finances during these challenging economic times, and we regret that it is necessary to take this action.

How Your Benefits Have Changed

• Basic Plan Members (Retired Municipal Teachers & Elderly Governmental Retirees only) – Read a copy of the notice mailed to members on November 30, 2009 for an overview of the benefit changes effective February 1, 2010.



• PLUS, Community Choice and Basic Plan Members – Read a copy of the notice mailed to members on January 12, 2010 for an overview of the benefit changes effective February 1, 2010. To read a copy of this notice, click on the link for your plan:



• PLUS Plan
• Community Choice Plan
• Basic Plan (other than Retired Municipal Teachers & Elderly Governmental Retirees)

New ID Cards and Benefit Updates

Questions?