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Rural Carrier Benefit Plan
Providing superior service to rural letter carriers nationwide

Frequently Asked Questions

Aetna Medicare Advantage for RCBP – Plan FAQs

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About the plan

The Aetna Medicare Advantage plan for RCBP offered through the Postal Service Health Benefits (PSHB) program is a nationwide plan that takes a total approach to your health. This plan offers value to postal service retirees with Medicare Parts A and B by offering $0 deductibles, prescription drug coverage, and a credit to reduce Medicare Part B premiums. It also provides access to programs and services such as Healthy Home Visits, meals after a hospital stay, non-emergency transportation and SilverSneakers®.

Postal service Retirees with Medicare Parts A and B will continue to pay Part B premiums with Aetna Medicare Advantage for RCBP. It provides the same coverage as Original Medicare but with additional benefits you wouldn’t get, such as $0 deductibles and prescription benefits. You’ll also get access to extra programs that can help you reach your health potential, including SilverSneakers®, hearing aid reimbursement and more.

  • The plan also includes a credit that reduces your Medicare Part B premiums by $75/month (up to $900/year)
  • You can see any provider that is licensed to receive Medicare payments
  • Selecting Aetna Medicare Advantage for RCBP does not change your PSHBP premium or enrollment code

Aetna Medicare Advantage for RCBP is a great plan for retired members of the Rural Carrier Benefit Plan who are looking for a plan to help them on their health journey ‒ body, mind, and spirit. Members who have Medicare Parts A and B as their primary coverage will have no deductible, low prescription costs and a way to help reduce the cost of your Medicare Part B premiums. Additional programs include Healthy Home visits, an Aetna® care advocate, and SilverSneakers®. These let you take control of your health while you keep moving and age actively.

Selecting Aetna Medicare Advantage for RCBP does not change your PSHB premium or enrollment code.

These rates do not apply to all enrollees. If you are in a special enrollment category, please refer to the PSHB Program website or contact the agency or Tribal Employer that maintains your health benefits enrollment.

Monthly RatesEnrollment CodePSHBP
Self Only79A$317.44
Self Plus One79C$612.15
Family79B$592.30

No. This Aetna Medicare Advantage for RCBP is a special offering available to you if you enroll in the RCBP High Option through the PSHB program and have Medicare Parts A and B. While it is a Medicare Part C plan, to receive benefits under this Medicare Advantage Plan, you do not suspend your PSHB plan.

For existing RCBP members who opt into Aetna Medicare Advantage plan, you will receive a new ID card after you provide your Medicare information. You should always present this new card when asked for insurance information.

For new RCBP members, you will initially receive an RCBP ID card. After you provide your Medicare information, you will receive a second ID card that indicates you are in our Medicare Advantage Plan. You should always present this new ID card when asked for insurance information.

You have several options:

  • Review the Medicare plan brochure and other plan documents on this website
  • Call us at 1-866-241-0262 (TTY: 711) Monday–Friday, 8 AM–8 PM ET.

Enrollment

Retired RCBP members with Medicare parts A and B primary who are interested in a plan that works by taking a total approach to your health.

If you’re currently an RCBP member, you can opt in by visiting AetnaRetireeHealth.com/RCBPPostal or calling us at 1-866-241-0262 (TTY:711) Monday–Friday, 8 AM–8 PM ET. Provide us with your effective dates for Medicare Parts A and B and your Medicare Beneficiary ID number.

If you are new to RCBP, Aetna Medicare Advantage for RCBP requires two easy steps for Retirees with Medicare Parts A and B:

Step 1: Enroll as you normally would through the OPM Retirement website at Health-Benefits.opm.gov Or you can call 1-888-767-6738 (TTY:711). Enroll in RCBP using enrollment code 79A, 79C, 79B.

Step 2: Provide us with your Medicare information. Once you are enrolled through the OPM Retirement website, your basic information will be transferred to us. (Please allow 7–10 business days.) In addition, we will need the following to complete your enrollment:

  • Your original Medicare effective date for Parts A and B
  • Your Medicare Beneficiary ID number

You may go to AetnaRetireeHealth.com/RCBPPostal or call us at 1-866-241-0262 (TTY:711) Monday–Friday, 8 AM–8 PM ET, and provide us with this information.

Since Aetna Medicare Advantage for RCBP is a Medicare Part C plan, we need your Medicare information to complete your enrollment per regulations set by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). Providing us with your Medicare information will allow us to enroll you in the Aetna Medicare Advantage for RCBP.

Coverage and benefit changes for annuitants begins on January 1st. For active postal service enrollees, check with your payroll office.

Doctors and networks

No. With the Aetna Medicare Advantage for RCBP, you can visit any provider that is eligible to receive Medicare payments and willing to bill the plan.

You can search for providers who participate with Medicare or accept Medicare assignment on Medicare’s website. Please visit Medicare.gov/PhysicanCompare to search near you. You can filter provider results by distance, gender and hospital affiliation.

Yes, you can visit a MinuteClinic® location for urgent care with a $0 copay.

Pharmacy

The pharmacy you visit has access to the Aetna claim system and can determine what your cost sharing is for your covered prescription drug. The pharmacy will tell you what your cost share is for any prescription you have filled. If you are enrolled in Aetna Medicare Advantage for RCBP, your prescription copays for a 30-day supply will be:

  • $0 for a preferred generic drug at a preferred pharmacy, $2 at a standard pharmacy
  • $5 per covered non-preferred generic drug
  • $35 per covered preferred brand-name drug
  • $40 per covered non-preferred brand-name drug
  • $70 for specialty drugs

Yes, mail-order pharmacy is available for maintenance medications.
For details and forms, log in to your Aetna member website and select pharmacy benefits.

What will I pay?

Aetna Medicare Advantage for RCBP is a Medicare Part C Plan. Medicare pays Aetna to administer the plan and cover your claims. Aetna Medicare Advantage for RCBP provides all the benefits of Medicare Advantage and allows you to keep PSHB coverage. Once you are enrolled, you do not need to do anything, but be sure you use your Aetna Medicare Advantage for RCBP ID card that you receive in the mail when you get care.

Once you have completed the 2-step enrollment process, Medicare will have the necessary information to reduce your Part B premium. Your Social Security account will be credited $75 per month (up to $900 a year). If you pay your premium on a quarterly, semi-annual, or annual basis, you will see a reduction in your premium in the amount equal to the number of months.

While unlikely, it may take a few months to see the credit to either your Social Security check or premium statement, but you will be reimbursed for any credits you did not receive during this waiting period.

You pay $0 when you visit any provider that is eligible to receive Medicare payments and accepts the plan.

Dental and vision

The Aetna Medicare Advantage plan for RCBP includes up to $750 in dental benefits for each covered member including-

  • 100% coverage for preventive care
  • 50% coverage for other services after a $25 deductible

Routine eye exams are covered at 100%.

Member perks

Your member website is packed with health and benefits information. When you register, you can print temporary ID cards, check eligibility or claim status, and much more. Here are just a few of the highlights:

Cost estimator tools – Provides personalized cost information. You can estimate how much you’ll pay out of pocket for medical tests, office visits and procedures ahead of time. If Medicare is your primary coverage, these estimates may not be representative of your actual costs.

Hospital comparison tool – see how hospitals in your area rank by factors important to you.

Personal health record – a private and secure online tool that captures important health information in one place, helping you stay healthy with personalized alerts and reminders and allowing you to print and share your health history with your doctors.

Provider search tool – helps you find doctors, hospitals and other providers that accept your plan. Using in-network providers will help you save money. The provider search tool also includes important provider credentials like education, board certification and languages spoken.

Aetna Mobile App™ – Puts the Aetna online features at your fingertips. It lets you view your member ID card, find a doctor, look up claims and access your personal health record (PHR). The app is available on the App Store® and Google Play. Just type Aetna.com into your mobile web browser.

We’re committed to providing you with the resources, tools and support that help ensure you achieve your best health. All our health advocacy and wellness programs are included with your plan for no extra charge. Most of these programs are only available if you have selected the Medicare Advantage plan.

SilverSneakers®: An overall wellness program that may help you improve your health and live the life you want. The program gives you access to exercise equipment, classes and fun social activities at thousands of locations nationwide.

Teladoc®: Over 700 U.S. licensed doctors that you can meet with online, by phone or mobile app. (Available for all RCBP members.)

Hearing aid reimbursement: Hearing aid reimbursement for retirees, to help you access the tools you need to engage and communicate with the world around you; reimbursement is $3,000/36 months.

Resources For Living®: Aetna signature program helps you find the resources you need in your daily life. With just one call, a life consultant can help you find local resources to make life easier and treat your entire health, including your social and mental well-being.

Non-emergency transportation program: A program that ensures you make it to and from doctor or hospital appointments without always having to rely on family or friends.

Meal benefit program: Aetna offers a meal benefit through our relationship with NationsMarket for members recently discharged from the hospital. The program offers 14 home delivered meals; convenience for when making a meal is a difficult option.

Health information programs provide general health information and are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a physician or other health care professional. 

Teladoc Health is a convenient, lower-cost alternative to urgent care or the emergency room. Teladoc Health lets you access board-certified doctors by web, phone or mobile app in under 10 minutes. It’s perfect for when you’re traveling or when your doctor isn’t available. Members simply visit Teladoc.com/Aetna or call 1-855-Teladoc to get started.

Teladoc Health doctors prescribe medical treatment for a wide range of conditions including cold and flu, pink eye, skin rash and stress/anxiety. They can even call in a prescription to your pharmacy of choice, when necessary. All Teladoc Health doctors:

  • Are U.S. board certified internists, state-licensed family practitioners and pediatricians licensed to practice medicine in the U.S.
  • Are U.S. residents

When you have Aetna Medicare Advantage for RCBP with Medicare Parts A and B, your consultations are $0.

Please note: Teladoc Health is not available to all members. Teladoc Health and Teladoc Health physicians are independent contractors and are not agents of Aetna. Visit Teladoc.com/Aetna for a complete description of the limitations of Teladoc services. Teladoc, Teladoc Health and the Teladoc Health logo are registered trademarks of Teladoc Health, Inc.

Aetna Medicare is a HMO, PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal. See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area. SilverSneakers is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc. © 2021 Tivity Health, Inc. All rights reserved. Resources For Living is the brand name used for products and services offered through the Aetna group of subsidiary companies. Aetna and MinuteClinic, LLC (which either operates or provides certain management support services to MinuteClinic-branded walk-in clinics) are part of the CVS Health family of companies. For mail-order, you can get prescription drugs shipped to your home through the network mail-order delivery program. Typically, mail-order drugs arrive within 10-14 days. You can call the number on the back of your ID card if you do not receive your mail-order drugs within this timeframe. Members may have the option to sign-up for automated mail-order delivery. Aetna Medicare’s pharmacy network includes limited lower cost, preferred pharmacies in: all areas. The lower costs advertised in our plan materials for these pharmacies may not be available at the pharmacy you use. For up-to-date information about our network pharmacies, including whether there are any lower-cost preferred pharmacies in your area, members please call the number on your ID card, non-members please call 1-855-338-7027 (TTY: 711) or consult the online pharmacy directory at http://www.aetnamedicare.com/pharmacyhelp. Members who get “Extra Help” are not required to fill prescriptions at preferred network pharmacies in order to get Low Income Subsidy (LIS) copays. Participating physicians, hospitals and other health care providers are independent contractors and are neither agents nor employees of Aetna. The availability of any particular provider cannot be guaranteed, and provider network composition is subject to change.

Aetna is the brand name used for products and services provided by one or more of the Aetna group of subsidiary companies, including Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (Aetna).

This is a brief description of the features of this Aetna health benefits plan. Before making a decision, please read the plan’s applicable federal brochure(s). All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations and exclusions set forth in the federal brochure.

This is a summary of the RCBP. Before making a final decision, please read the official Plan brochure. All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations and exclusions set forth in the official Plan brochure.

External websites links are provided for your information and convenience only and does not imply or mean that Aetna endorses the content of such linked websites or third-party services. Aetna has no control over the content or materials contained therein. Aetna therefore makes no warranties or representations, express or implied, about such linked websites, the third parties they are owned and operated by, and the information and/or the suitability or quality of the products contained on them.

Estimated costs are not available in all markets or for all services. We provide an estimate for the amount you would owe for a particular service based on your plan at that very point in time. It is not a guarantee. Actual costs may differ from an estimate for various reasons including claims processing times for other services, providers joining or leaving our network or changes to your plan.  DISCOUNT OFFERS ARE NOT INSURANCE. They are not benefits under your insurance plan. You get access to discounts off the regular charge on products and services offered by third party vendors and providers. Aetna makes no payment to the third parties–you are responsible for the full cost.  Check any insurance plan benefits you have before using these discount offers, as those benefits may give you lower costs than these discounts.

Discount vendors and providers are not agents of Aetna and are solely responsible for the products and services they provide.  Discount offers are not guaranteed and may be ended at any time. Aetna may get a fee when you buy these discounted products and services.

Vision care providers are contracted through EyeMed Vision Care. LASIK surgery discounts are offered by the U.S. Laser Network and Qualsight.

Natural products and services are offered through ChooseHealthy®, a program provided by ChooseHealthy, Inc. which is a subsidiary of American Specialty Health Incorporated (ASH). ChooseHealthy is a registered trademark of ASH and is used with permission.

Health information programs provide general health information and are not a substitute for diagnosis or treatment by a physician or other health care professional.

Incentive-based activity awards will only be given for completing select wellness programs as determined by the plan sponsor.

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MHBP and Medicare brochure cover

Get to know the Aetna Medicare Advantage plan

RCBP and Medicare: A guide for RCBP retiree health and prescription drug plans. As an Aetna Medicare Advantage for RCBP High Option plan member, you have a suite of programs and services available at no extra cost to you. Download the brochure to learn more.

2025 RCBP and Medicare brochure

Aetna Medicare Advantage for
RCBP High Option

It’s easy to opt in (with Aetna).

Visit AetnaRetireeHealth.com/RCBPPostal or call 1-866-241-0262 (TTY: 711)

Monday–Friday, 8 AM–8 PM ET

1 The information provided here assumes that you are enrolled in RCBP High Option and Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) is your primary coverage. RCBP will waive your cost-sharing (deductible, copayments and coinsurance) for services covered by both RCBP and Medicare. RCBP will not waive your cost-sharing for prescription drugs. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, RCBP will not waive your cost-sharing. If you are enrolled in Value Plan, RCBP will not waive your cost-sharing.
2 These benefits are not part of the FEHB contract, but are made available to all RCBP members at no additional premium. You cannot file a FEHB disputed claim about them. The fees you pay for these services do not count toward FEHB deductibles or out-of-pocket maximums.

3 These benefits are not part of the FEHB contract or premium, and you cannot file a FEHB disputed claim about them. The fees you pay for these services do not count toward FEHB deductibles or out-of-pocket maximums. The RCBP Dental Plan is underwritten by First Health Life & Health Insurance Company.

* The information on this page assumes that you are enrolled in RCBP High Option and that Original Medicare (Part A and Part B) is your primary coverage for health benefits. RCBP will not waive copayments or coinsurance for retail or mail order prescription drugs. If you have a Medicare Advantage Plan, RCBP will not waive our deductible, copayments or coinsurance. When you are enrolled in RCBP Value Plan, RCBP will not waive our deductible, copayments or coinsurance.

Aetna Medicare is an HMO, PPO plan with a Medicare contract. Enrollment in our plans depends on contract renewal. The formulary, provider and/ or pharmacy network may change at any time. You will receive notice when necessary. See Evidence of Coverage for a complete description of plan benefits, exclusions, limitations and conditions of coverage. Plan features and availability may vary by service area. Participating physicians, hospitals and other health care providers are independent contractors and are neither agents nor employees of Aetna. The availability of any particular provider cannot be guaranteed, and provider network composition is subject to change. Plan features and availability may vary by service area. SilverSneakers is a registered trademark of Tivity Health, Inc. © 2021 Tivity Health, Inc. All rights reserved. Resources For Living is the brand name used for products and services offered through the Aetna group of subsidiary companies. For accommodation of persons with special needs at meetings, call 1-800-410-7778 (TTY: 711).

Aetna is the brand name used for products and services provided by one or more of the Aetna group of subsidiary companies, including Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (Aetna). Aetna Providers are independent contractors and are not agents of Aetna. Provider participation may change without notice.

This is a summary of the RCBP Standard Option Plan. Before making a final decision, please read the official Plan Brochure (RI 71-007). A single annual $52 associate membership fee makes all RCBP plans available to you. All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations and exclusions set forth in the official Plan Brochure. External websites links are provided for your information and convenience only and does not imply or mean that Aetna endorses the content of such linked websites or third party services. Aetna has no control over the content or materials contained therein. Aetna therefore makes no warranties or representations, express or implied, about such linked websites, the third parties they are owned and operated by, and the information and/or the suitability or quality of the products contained on them.

©2024 Aetna Inc.

Aetna is the brand name used for products and services provided by one or more of the Aetna group of companies, including Aetna Life Insurance Company and its affiliates (Aetna). This is a brief description of the features of this RCBP plan. Before making a final decision, please read the Official Plan brochure. All benefits are subject to the definitions, limitations and exclusions set forth in the Official Plan brochure. 

©2024