4a. How to purchase a Medicare policy.  (If not receiving Medicare benefits from -- or subsidized by -- HP or HPE.)

If you haven't already done so, start at Medicare - First step  Best source of Medicare info is the very clear, official Medicare & You book.

Individual, open-market Medicare policies -- discussed on this page -- are available through insurance brokers and sales agencies -- and directly from insurance companies.

There are government specifications for open-market Advantage and Medigap policies. A carrier may add additional features, but can't change the required basic coverage.

You must make a decision between Advantage and Original Medicare -- which can be hard to change: https://www.hpalumni.org/medicare-advantage

Premiums are based on the highly-competitive open market. Companies use various pricing algorithms, as explained on the official Medicare policy comparison site: https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare

- "Attained Age" pricing. "Premiums are low for younger buyers, but go up as you get older and can eventually become the most expensive."

- "Community" pricing. "Premiums are the same no matter how old you are. Premiums may go up because of inflation and other factors."

- "Issue Age" pricing. "Premiums are low for younger buyers and won't change as you get older."

An experienced health insurance agent can make a big difference. For example, one member in a complex situation reported that their agent submitted anonymous "test" applications to insurance companies. An agent can help position your application for the best price or coverage -- or deal with pre-existing conditions.

Insurance sales agencies charge the same list price and are paid the same standard commission by the insurance companies -- for the initial sale and then a monthly admin fee thereafter.

To purchase an individual health insurance policy, the transaction must be completed by an agent who holds an insurance sales license in your state.

You can compare benefits and costs for all open-market policies -- Advantage, Drug, and Medigap -- available in your ZIP code on the official Medicare site. Gives estimated cost -- and contact info -- for each policy. (Notes: No sales agency, including ARHS, offers all policies available in your area. The official Medicare comparison site does not have information on any group policies, such as HP/HPE, that you might be qualified for.) https://www.medicare.gov/plan-compare 

ARHS. To administer individual plans subsidized through the Benefits Centers, HP and HPE have selected a specific sales agency -- Alight Retiree Health Solutions -- which is part of an HR outsourcing company.

Prices and features for anyone at https://retiree.alight.com are the same as via the HP and HPE logins -- and the same at any broker or sales agency.

As with any sales agency, ARHS does not offer all available Medicare policies. Examples: 1. AARP/UHC plans available by request. 2. Kaiser is not available through ARHS. 3. For example, until the HPAA raised the issue, Regence Idaho was not available from ARHS.

Members report that ARHS agents vary dramatically in availability, experience, and competence.  

Why exHP/HPE folks without a subsidy may want to buy through ARHS.  If you decline HP/HPE medical coverage: Depending on your situation, you can lose the ability to re-enroll in HP/HPE coverage -- and your surviving dependents will not be eligible for HP/HPE coverage. Details:  https://www.hpalumni.org/reenroll-restrictions