Thread regarding AT&T layoffs

@j5 I am an AT&T Retiree. I was using the "allowance" for retirees of pay for NJ BCBS (Horizon) which I never had a problem with and it was a tradition GAP plan. As fellow retirees are aware, that 'allowance' from AT&T was terminated. Costs went up significantly for my GAP plan. Over 20% for 2026. I spoke to several Benefit experts and what was amazing was I had developed a relationship with a high level manager at Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ. This incredibly caring manager reviewed the AT&T PPO plan at length (from A-Z) for several hours with me on the phone to help my make the best decision. They concluded that I had literally nothing to lose because as the previous person mentioned that we have GUARANTEED issuance to revert back to a MEDIGAP plan if the AT&T is ever cancelled. So I enrolled in 11/2025 for January 1, 2026. I also have one year until enrollment in 2026 to switch back to MEDIGAP with no penalty or underwriting. The manager at Horizon was VERY impressed with the AT&T PPO plan. (So much so that they said, if I were a family member) they would highly recommend the AT&T plan which would save me a lot of money monthly and was tailored to be an excellent plan - far superior to the 'private plan' such as AARP UHC PPO. They said be proactive with Prior Authorizations with the MA AT&T and that I should be fine. So I'm now 4 months in and I can say the plan and the support through the United Healthcare PPO group for AT&T have been excellent. I will check in by the end of the year to let you know if I decide to stay. My GAP plan was costing $300 per month and was increasing 20% to $360 per month (both part A & B) for medical and prescriptions. I was SO BLESSED to have this senior level manager who had every reason to keep me as an 'insured' with his company but advised to try it with no anxiety". Also as the previous commentary advised, it is 1000% true that if AT&T terminates the UHC PPO plan, that BY LAW, we have the right to obtain any GAP plan of our choice. I am planning on going out of state for extensive care to a top medical facility (probably Cleveland Clinic) where I have been before, sometime this year for my complex history. This was ALWAYS my fear with a MA plan. I NEVER wanted to be restricted with where I could be treated and the plan does that for me. So far It seems that I will hold onto the AT&T MA UHC PPO plan for as long as I can. Max it can cost is $75 per month (average for $900 annual max). That cost compared to $365 to $375 per month for my Horizon BCBS Medigap plan. The AT&T plan is saving me $300 per month and I am enjoying it and feel protected and supported by the UHC call center that is very helpful. I will check in later this year but for now, I recommend this plan very highly to someone who cannot afford the GAP plans and who also has chronic illness. Best of luck!

Most financial advisors say the only reason to ever get ANY advantage plan is if you can’t afford a regular medicare plan. Zero pre approval needed in regular medicare. If you get an advantage plan it’s extremely difficult to change to normal plan…ever. Due to a cost rule they have.

The $900 OOP MAX is great. I reached it in May. The $2K OOP MAX for meds is for all Medicare and MA patients. I reached it in June. Go look at the UHC website to see if your doctors and hospitals are in their plan. Call your doctors to see if a PPO UHC MA plan is accepted or not. If you are very healthy, then it may not be the best plan for you but if you get unhealthy, then it is a great plan. I had two surgeries this year and very little of it was paid by me. Yes I can't return to traditional Medicare without under-writing but I am not upset over that. The free gym cost is very nice too.

1. Be careful with any tier 3 prescriptions. They have gone up.
2. Every PCP visit is not free. Had to do follow up visit recommended by PCP. Included blood test and was charged 20.00
3. Friend who is a AT&T retiree recently had cataract surgery and ended up paying 250 for each eye. Part of his $900 deductible.
4. Some doctors/dentists are no longer accepting Advantage plans.

Do your homework before choosing a plan. Be prepared to ask questions if you call in to check prices I.E. all dr-g prices. Each person has a different situation which can impact prices. If you can make an early choice do it and call back in at a later time to verify. You can change up until the enrollment period ends.As someone said a lot of the reps have been given minimal training so no telling if the information you were given originally was correct.

AT&T offers a group Medicare Advantage PPO plan for its Medicare-eligible retirees and their dependents, administered by UnitedHealthcare. In a Group PPO plan, retirees can typically use any provider who accepts Medicare, whether in-network or out-of-network.
How the AT&T group PPO works
Administrator: The plan is administered by UnitedHealthcare.
Eligibility: The plan is for Medicare-eligible AT&T retirees and their eligible dependents. Eligibility for dependents to receive coverage under AT&T's group plans is often contingent upon the retiree enrolling in either this UnitedHealthcare PPO plan or individual coverage through Alight.
National coverage: As a national PPO (NPPO), the plan offers broad coverage across the country. Members can see any provider that accepts Medicare, and they are protected from "balance billing," or excess charges, from out-of-network providers.
Key features of the AT&T PPO (as of the 2024 plan year)
Past reports and union documents have indicated that the AT&T PPO offered very comprehensive coverage to retirees. Provisions have historically included:
Coverage: The plan has covered medical, prescription dr-gs, vision, and dental.
Low out-of-pocket maximum: For 2024, the medical out-of-pocket maximum was $900, which was exceptionally low for a Medicare Advantage plan.
Predictable costs: The plan has featured fixed, low copayments for various services, such as:
$0 for primary care visits.
$30 for specialist visits.
$100 for a hospital admission, regardless of the length of the stay.
Robust prescription coverage: The plan has provided extensive prescription dr-g coverage, with a high percentage of dr-gs on the formulary.
Extra benefits: In addition to standard medical care, benefits have included:
An allowance for hearing aids.
Transportation and meal benefits following a hospital stay.
Personal care services like companionship and meal preparation.

Go read some of the online posts regarding advantage plans. Then go out and find some older retirees from the early 2000s who were pushed over to Advantage from Original Medicare and ask them their opinion.
Do you really think ATT dropped the healthcare benefit to retirees and made the conversion to the UHC Advantage to help their retirees or gut a benefit that saved them money.?!

"Think of this plan as the AT&T broad plan. Limited doctors and hospitals."

It's a PPO with in or out of network benefits. The OOP of $900 applies to both. The Part D formulary is about 50% larger than the largest individual Part D plan. The plan pays the extra up to 15% more for doctors that don't take Medicare assignment.

Now, if there is issue age Medigap available, that would be a consideration. But meanwhile, there is rampant inflation in healthcare, but I'm not seeing it for 2026 in the AT&T plan.

If they end the plan (I hear it's guaranteed through 2028), we would get an SEP for guarantee issue Medigap.

Before you enrollment in one of the Advantage plans ask why healthcare systems across the country are dropping Advantage plans. Open enrollment
begins next month.

and don't mind being limited to a specific network of providers.

This is one of the biggest things to be aware of. Think of this plan as the AT&T broad plan. Limited doctors and hospitals. If something bad happens to you, you will be limited to the doctors in the plan unless you want to pay for coverage on your own to get a doctor you might prefer.

It's not surprising that AT&T took away the medical supplement payment AFTER THE FACT and forced retires into this plan as a take it leave it". It's NOT as good as plain old medicare with a supplement. But as much as AT&T doesn't care about employees, they hate retires even more and took away a benefit they had earned over their years of service and threw this plan in their face. Totally despicable. But should you expect anything more from a sh@tty company?

United Healthcare denies one third of claims submitted routinely. They have 50 million subscribers. Your doctor may perscribe specific care, but UHC, THE INSURANCE COMPANY, determines if you get the care prescribed. Imagine that!!!

There is a you tube channel that explains the difference between Medicare Original and Medicare Advantage plans. It's shocking how many people sign up for the Advantage plans without doing due diligence. Anything an insurance company wants to sell you should be looked at under a microscopic lens!
Google 'Medicare School You Tube' so that you can make an informed decision.

Pay attention to what is happening to Medicare Advantage plans now. Do not fall for the 'free' perks like free food, gym memberships, dental and vision bolt ons. Also you will almost never be able to switch back to Original Medicare once you sign up for one of the Advantage plans.
If it's 'too much trouble' for you to research the Medicare programs, you will undoubtedly set yourself up for catastrophe as your healthcare needs change as you age.
Healthcare for seniors is no joke and it's incredibly and unnecessarily complex. Do not trust or believe the commercials or the spin insurance 'specialists' put on those plans...they're getting paid to steer you to the ones that pay them the most commission.
Don't be a dummy! Read and research like you life depends on it!

@ac I cant speak to whether the Advantage plans are any good or not but I can tell you the writer above is accurate. I have Medicare A&B with a Supplement and D for meds. I am better off than when I was with AT&T

Here's the deal.
https://retiree.uhc.com/att/coverage-and-benefits

Part A&B OOP: $900. Part D OOP: $2100. Premium: $0.

For $50/month, retiree can bolt on dental, vision and hearing.
I see nothing in the individual market that matches this plan.

Medicare Advantage plans are only good if you are in great health and don't mind being limited to a specific network of providers. If you get very very sick or need advanced medical care their decline for approved treatment numbers are very high and bad news. Do the research and you will find that to be true. I have traditional Medicare with a Medicare Supplement and Part D for meds. I can walk into 95% of health care providers anywhere in the country and be treated and cared for with no questions asked.

Went to broker when I enrolled after calling various plans, his name was given to me by my neighbor. Called him up and mentioned I was AT&T retiree. He stopped me right there and said none of the plans he represented could beat that plan. Guess it depends on your situation but some of those plans are maddening. They hire a bunch of folks before open enrollment and give them minimal training. You can tell they are reading off a script and can’t answer some questions. Not saying it’s the best out there for your situation but unless you want to take the time to make 20 pages of notes, and find out some of the information you are given is not correct this is a quick and easy choice.

Not the best place to ask. But check out the “AT&T Retirement Planning Club” group on Facebook. Lots of great feedback there.

From what I have seen, most people on the Advantage plan seem to be really happy with it.

I’m interested in this as well. The ATT GROUP Medicare advantage is a little different, as agent says in/out of network coverage is same, no bill balance; sounds too good to be true; anyone experienced this would be very helpful

It is far easier to start with original Medicare and switch to an Advantage Plan later, than vice-versa. That is what I did when I retired back in July 2018.

I have Medicare A and B, with a High Deductible Supplemental (Medigap) with separate Dental and Vision plans. Also a Dr-g Plan-D, with a low premium.

It all depends on your own health needs and how much flexibility you want in health coverage.

In your Initial Enrollment period, Medigap Insurers must accept you under Original Medicare, not necessarily true if you start with an Advantage Plan and try to switch to Original Medicare later.

Good Luck with your choices.