NWPP is committed to supporting participants throughout their careers and into retirement. Participants who have been with the Plan for 10 or more years and continuously employed by a participating employer are eligible at retirement to enroll in benefit coverage through Individual Medicare coverage with Via Benefits and/or medical coverage through NWPP. Please see your Summary Plan Description booklet for full eligibility requirements.
Eligible NWPP participants who are over the age of 65 and eligible for Medicare are encouraged to consider enrolling in an Individual Medicare Plan through Via Benefits. Plan participants may enroll in an individual Medicare plan the first month they become eligible, or during Medicare’s annual open enrollment period. Plan participants may also enroll in the NWPP Self-Pay Plan, as supplemental insurance.
Via Benefits gives you access to a wide variety of Individual Medicare Advantage, Medigap (also known as Medicare Supplement) and Medicare Part D prescription drug plans from the nation’s leading health insurers. It offers an expansive, and user-friendly approach to retiree medical coverage – including professional assistance in finding cost-effective Individual Medicare coverage that works for you, your budget, and health needs.
Via Benefits can help you access additional options that include dental, vision, as well as other benefits such as home care insurance and hearing aids – often at a lower cost than other plans.
To enroll, visit the Via Benefits website at my.viabenefits.com to create an account and set up your profile. You can enroll online or schedule an enrollment appointment to walk through your options and complete your enrollment with a Via care team member.
If you are eligible, NWPP will establish a special account called a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) for you. Each month, NWPP will fund your HRA with an amount equal to the subsidy you are eligible for under the Retiree Plan. If you enroll in an Individual Medicare Plan through Via Benefits, you will pay the monthly premium to the insurance carrier directly. You can then be reimbursed for your premium payments from your HRA, up to the amount of your earned subsidy credited to your HRA account.
In addition to the Individual Medicare coverage options through Via, plan participants can elect to enroll in the NWPP Retiree Plan. This plan is a Medicare supplemental medical coverage – helping pay for treatment and care that may exceed any Medicare limits. For full details please refer to the Coordination of Benefits section of the most recent Summary Plan Description booklet.
Once eligible for retiree benefits, you will receive an election form with a retirement packet from NWPP. This one-time enrollment form must be completed at the time of retirement to receive coverage. Enrollment must then be continuously maintained through monthly consecutive payments. The cost of the benefits provided will vary, depending on plan experience, your years of participation in the plan, age at retirement, and Medicare eligibility.
For those who are under 65 or otherwise not eligible to enroll in Medicare may elect to enroll in the NWPP PPO Plan through Premera Blue Cross. With the NWPP PPO Plan, participants have access to the BlueCard® PPO network, one of the largest national networks available. Your BlueCard® PPO Plan covers:
When you choose an in-network provider, you get the highest level of benefits covered by your plan at the lowest out-of-pocket cost. Find an in-network provider by searching the BlueCard® PPO network online, or call (800) 810-BLUE (2583) and reference the prefix FIT.
Once eligible for retiree benefits, you will receive an election form with a retirement packet from NWPP. This one-time enrollment form must be completed at the time of retirement to receive coverage. Enrollment must then be continuously maintained through monthly consecutive payments. The cost of the benefits provided will vary, depending on plan experience, your years of participation in the plan, age at retirement, and Medicare eligibility.
Eligible NWPP retirees can get prescription coverage with Medicare Part D, if eligible for Medicare, or through the self-pay plan from CVS/Caremark.
Retirees who enroll in an Individual medical plan through Via Benefits can select a plan that best fits their needs. There are many prescription plans to choose from and costs may vary based on the plan. If you are eligible and elect to sign up for Medicare coverage, Via Benefits can help you choose the best plan for you. Visit my.viabenefits.com to find out more.
NWPP offers prescription coverage through CVS/Caremark to plan participants in two convenient ways: Retail Pharmacy or Mail Order Pharmacy.
CVS Retail Pharmacy: for short term or single use prescriptions, with up to a 34-day supply per fill. When you visit an in-network CVS Pharmacy:
CVS Mail Order Pharmacy: for maintenance medications for ongoing conditions and up to a 90-day supply per fill if prescribed. Ordering through mail order can save you money, as prescriptions costs can be lower. When you order through CVS/Caremark mail order pharmacy:
To find a CVS/Caremark location or to transfer or refill a prescription for mail order, please visit: www.caremark.com or call (866) 818-6911.
Vision coverage is available to all retirees either as an added benefit on an Individual Medicare Plan through Via Benefits, or through the NWPP self-pay plan.
Retirees who enroll in an Individual Medical plan through Via Benefits can add vision coverage to their plan. There are several vision plans to choose from and costs may vary based on the plan. Via Benefits can help you choose the best plan for you. Visit my.viabenefits.com to find out more.
With the NWPP self-pay plan participants may see any provider they choose and submit the claims to NWPP for reimbursement for the following benefits. Annual eye exams are covered at 100% of customary and reasonable charges, along with the following benefits:
Single Vision Lenses (pair)$70
| Vision Hardware | Coverage/Reimbursement |
|---|---|
| Bifocal Lenses (pair) | $100 |
| Trifocal Lenses (pair) | $140 |
| Lenticular Lenses (pair) | $160 |
| Frames | $100 |
| Contacts | $150 |
| Covered Eye Care Services | |
| Eye Exam (complete visual analysis) | Covered at 100% of customary and reasonable charges, once every calendar year |
| Prescription Lenses (one pair) | Every two calendar years |
| Frames | Every two calendar years |
| Contacts (in lieu of frames and lenses) | Every two calendar years |
| Refractive Surgery (employees only) | Up to lifetime maximum of $1,000 |
Frequency limits do not apply for dependent children under the age of 19 and are covered if deemed medically necessary.
To support retirees in their whole health, NWPP makes most wellness programs available to you at no cost. This includes Uprise Health MAP, a mental health resource service offering a range of care options.