Thread regarding Cisco Systems Inc. layoffs

A couple of people mentioned that a plus for RMAP is that you can use the Life Connections center, which is true. However, once you move to Medicare (age 65), even if you keep RMAP medical coverage as secondary, you're no longer eligible to visit Life Connections.

for those over 65-- be aware that all plans offered become secondary to Medicare, even if you haven't signed up

One important thing to understand about RMAP if you're on the UHC plan... While the COBRA UHC plan is the exact plan you are on now as a Cisco employee, when you move to UHC under RMAP, it is a different plan. This is really important to understand from a deductible timing perspective because any contributions toward your Employee/COBRA UHC plan will not count towards your RMAP UHC deductibles. You can be on COBRA for 18 months and those exiting Cisco officially in July will be able to stay on it until ~February 2028, but you may want to switch to RMAP or ACA closer to Jan 1 2028 so your spend starts counting toward the new plan's deductible then.

The reason the RMAP plans are so expensive is all about volume. The fewer people who sign up, the more expensive the plans are for those who stay on it. RMAP costs have risen dramatically every year since ACA was launched because there are less expensive options and subsidies available for some when you go that route.

@s9 wow, would an ACA plan be better then? The increase was incredible!

For two people, aged 52 and 63, healthy and non-smokers on United Healthcare in the middle of the US. Monthly premium is $3805 for Med/Dental/Vision with an $8K annual deductible. A year ago, it was $3236. Two years ago, $2777. Three years ago, $2695. Four years ago, $2423. 57% increase in less than 5 years. It does make you wonder whether Cisco RMAP and Cisco Benefits administration is playing straight with you.

Forget it. Too expensive. ACA is more economical. Left years ago, used RMAP for a year, then moved to ACA (self-employed). RMAP just was too insanely expensive. I can't remember how much, but ACA was less expensive. ACA is still expensive, if self-employed; but do-able. Be prepared to work hard to pay the premium, there is no free-lunch in the USA.

Literally the only benefit of ramp is you can keep it longer than cobra

@d8 i am Canadian citizen but no, i would rather pay to get health care here in the USA (or perhaps i will move to a tax friendly country with less expensive health insurance and reasonable healthcare system).

Quality of free healthcare is questionable. The number of people die while waiting for care is highest in Canada 🙄

@d5 Try Cal Cobra if you’re in California. You can get another 18 months at Cobra rates

RMAP is your current Cisco plan, BUT very expensive. COBRA is little cheaper but not far off. Anyway you pay LOT of money covering medical, dental and vision for family, while you don’t have income.

No easy way out. Plan to relocate to Canada or some other country.

Currently transitioning to RMAP after using up my 18 months of COBRA. Have kept the same plan (Kaiser) as we had when I was employed at Cisco. Yes, it is expensive, more so than COBRA for us. The process itself has been pretty seamless.

@ac do sign up for Kaiser or PPO plan? I think the RMAP Kaiser is better than the ACA Gold 80 (and both cost about the same)

@a8 The primary advantages of RMAP are the ability to keep your existing providers and specialists, along with continued access to Cisco LifeConnections services on campus. Those factors are the main reasons we chose to pay the higher premium instead of moving to an ACA plan, where future coverage, provider networks, and costs can be less predictable. For us, the continuity and stability of care and services made the additional cost worthwhile.

@a5 nvm. I got the document. It is expensive.

@a5 thank you. Curious how you get the premium $3678/month?

I check my 2025 W2 box 12 DD, the HDHP plan total cost was about $22K (for both spouses). So I assume it will be around that figure.

While I'm not retired (yet), I have been looking into the Cisco RMAP health insurance plan. It ain't cheap -- but you get to continue to use the Cisco health services in RTP/San Jose while on COBRA or RMAP. For a Health Plus Savings Plan (HPSP) for a retiree + spouse under 65, it's $3678/mo. This does NOT include dental or vision -- which is an additional $204 and $22 respectively.

Through Cisco, you can:

• Enroll in COBRA, then in RMAP
You can continue Cisco medical, dental
and/or vision benefits under COBRA for up to 18 months after you leave Cisco. At any time during the 18 months, you may end your COBRA coverage and enroll in RMAP within 60 days of ending COBRA.

• Waive COBRA and enroll in RMAP
You can waive COBRA coverage and enroll in RMAP for medical, dental and/or vision coverage within 60 days after your last day of work.

• Waive both COBRA and RMAP
If you waive both COBRA and RMAP, you will not be able to enroll in COBRA or RMAP in the future

I would suggest going to the Cisco Benefits portal and download the New Retiree Benefits Enrollment brochure that goes into the various options in more detail.