Retiree Health Coverage

Having adequate health care coverage is an important consideration when you retire.

2025 Retiree Benefits Overview

CareFirst Prescription Drug Coverage (through Capital Rx)

If you’re enrolled in a CareFirst medical plan, your prescription drugs and prescription drug claims are managed by Capital Rx. The in-network mail-order and specialty pharmacies are Johns Hopkins Outpatient Pharmacy and Costco Pharmacy. Learn more.

Mail Order and Specialty Pharmacy has moved from Optum to Costco, Effective July 1

Costco Pharmacy has officially replaced Optum Rx as the in-network provider for mail order and specialty medications for faculty, staff, and retirees enrolled in a Johns Hopkins University CareFirst health plan. Visit Costco Pharmacy Online to create your account and begin managing your prescriptions.

Costco Specialty Pharmacy Information

E-prescribe to Costco Specialty Pharmacy #1710 Zip Code 53717, or fax to 1-855-213-0125

Costco Mail Order Pharmacy Information

E-prescribe to Costco Pharmacy Mail Order #1348, Zip Code 47130, or fax to 1-877-258-9584

Visit the Prescription Drug Benefit page for FAQs and to learn more.

JHU Retiree Medical and Dental Coverage Costs

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:

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.

JHU Retiree Health Plan: CareFirst Retiree Core PPO Plan

Under the 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.

Aptia365 Medical Plans

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

Looking for Mercer Marketplace 365+?

Mercer Marketplace 365+ is now Aptia365. During the transition period, you may see both names used in different places. Just know that whichever name you are looking at, you are in the right place.