Retiree Health Coverage

The university offers retiree medical and dental coverage for eligible retirees and their eligible dependents—the same coverage available to active employees and their families. The amount that JHU pays (the subsidy) is determined based on your age and years of service.

See the current cost of coverage for retiree medical and dental insurance, listed by employment type:

• Faculty and Staff Retiree Cost of Coverage April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026
• Bargaining Unit Retiree Cost of Coverage April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2026

You and your spouse or domestic partner must enroll in Medicare Parts A and B upon turning 65, and once that occurs, Medicare will become the primary insurer and the JHU retiree plan will become secondary.

If you waive coverage in the university medical plan at retirement, you will have one opportunity to enroll in the university’s available plan options within 30 days of losing your alternate medical coverage. If you die, your covered spouse or domestic partner is eligible to remain on the group plan for his/her lifetime, and covered dependent children can remain on the group plan until they no longer meet the plan eligibility requirements. If you wish to discontinue retiree medical or dental coverage, you must notify the JHU Benefits Service Center in writing within 30 days of the date you want your coverage to end.

Effective April 1, 2024, the university made changes to the medical plans offered to retirees. Multiple plan designs were consolidated with one claim administrator, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, and a personalized advocacy service, Quantum Health, has been added.  The EHP Medical Classic Plan is no longer available, and Capital Rx now handles the university’s pharmacy benefits, having replaced Express Scripts.  Premiums continue to be billed through WEX Health Inc. There are no changes to your dental benefits.

Folks who were enrolled in either the Retiree BCBS Plan II, or Retiree EHP Classic Plan, were automatically enrolled in the new Retiree Core PPO Plan.

Under your new CareFirst Retiree Core PPO Plan*, you:

• Have access to Quantum Health, JHU’s new health care advocacy service
• Have your prescription drugs managed by Capital Rx
• Receive one medical ID card with information about both your medical and pharmacy benefits, including contact info for Quantum Health and Capital Rx
• Have a combined out-of-pocket maximum (the most you’ll pay in a year for medical, mental health and prescription drugs)
• Need prior authorization for certain services, including surgeries, diagnostic tests and scans, oncology care and services, dialysis, transplants, hospice care, hospitalization, inpatient care, and medical equipment rentals or purchases. Quantum Health will manage this process.

*Retirees enrolled in CareFirst Plan I are also serviced by Quantum Health and Capital Rx, but other benefit changes may not apply.

Frequently Asked Questions

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As an alternative to the JHU retiree medical plans for those 65 or older, you may want to consider Aptia365, which provides access to the Mercer Retiree Exchange Platform and to one-on-one help from a licensed retiree benefits counselor. Choose from Medicare Supplement Plans, Medicare Advantage Plans, prescription drug plans, dental and vision.

Reach a benefits counselor toll-free at 855-206-8117 or click the button below to learn about Medicare and the different types of plans available.

Go to Aptia365