Nevada Public Employees’ Benefit Program Enters Into Contract With Extend Health

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
DATE: December 15, 2010
CONTACT: Nancy Spinelli, Public Information Officer
(775) 684-7020; nspinelli@peb.state.nv.us

(Carson City, NV) – Yesterday, the State Board of Examiners unanimously approved a contract between the Nevada Public Employees’ Benefits Program (PEBP) and Extend Health, Inc. to enroll eligible retired employees in Medicare Supplemental plans that will cover health care costs not covered by original Medicare. Extend Health
(http://www.extendhealth.com) operates the largest private Medicare exchange in thecountry. Nevada will be the first state to offer a Medicare exchange to its retirees. PEBP’s Medicare eligible retirees will receive letters with additional information by the end of December 2010 and local in-person information meetings will commence in January 2011. Specific announcements on meeting dates and locations will be made available as they are confirmed.

For more information and updates, PEBP retirees can go to http://www.pebp.state.nv.us.

Using the Extend Health exchange and its licensed benefit advisors, retirees participating in PEBP will be able to compare and purchase individual Medigap, Medicare Advantage, Part D prescription drug, dental and vision coverage from more than 45 plans offered by 12 carriers licensed in Nevada. Retirees no longer residing in the state will be able to choose from more than 3,500 plans from 67 regional and national carriers depending on where they live. PEBP retirees will receive contributions from PEBP to a Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) to assist them with the cost of their premiums or other eligible out-of-pocket healthcare expenses. According to James R. Wells, Executive Officer of PEBP, “This agreement with Extend Health enables PEBP to continue providing Medicare-eligible retirees with quality health care benefits while reducing costs to taxpayers and participants. By purchasing individual plans on a health insurance exchange, retirees will have more choice and control over their health care coverage, and the opportunity to select plans that are right for them.”