Human Resources
SilverScript Option for Medicare-Eligible Retirees
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For general information about the State of Iowa's health insurance plans, go to the DAS Health Insurance website.
If you are a Medicare-eligible retiree enrolled in a Wellmark health plan offered by the State of Iowa, you have the option of coordinating pharmacy benefits with one particular Part D plan called SilverScript. This coordination between Wellmark and SilverScript results in a monthly premium savings to you.
SilverScript is available with five Wellmark plans.
- Blue Access
- Blue Advantage
- Gold Preferred
- Iowa Select
- Program 3 Plus
SilverScript is not available for members enrolled in Deductible 3 Plus.
Enrolling in SilverScript is not considered leaving the State of Iowa's health insurance group. You are only adding additional pharmacy coverage to your Wellmark health plan. Because you still have the state's health plan:
- Your pharmacy benefits remain the same
- No up-front deductible
- No gap or "donut hole"
You continue to pay the same copays for your prescriptions, like you always have.
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Cost of SilverScript
The SilverScript monthly premium is $75.00 per Medicare-eligible individual in 2013.
Since January 1, 2011, higher-income beneficiaries will pay an additional amount to Social Security/Medicare for your Medicare Part D coverage. This amount is based on your income and will be deducted from your Social Security check or you a paper bill if you do not receive Social Security benefits. Less than 5% of people with Medicare are affected, so most people will not pay this extra amount. Consult Social Security if you have questions regarding the amount you will pay.
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Wellmark Premium Savings
This coordination between Wellmark and SilverScript Basic results in a monthly premium savings to you.
2013 Health Insurance Premiums for Medicare-Eligible Retirees with SilverScript
The savings with using SilverScript is significant. Your net savings can range anywhere from $166.41 to $574.53 per month (depending upon health plan and coverage level.)
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Enrollment in SilverScript
Enrollment in SilverScript is voluntary.
You may enroll in the coordinated Part D plan, SilverScript, by contacting SilverScript at
1-866-808-7475 (toll-free).
SilverScript representatives can enroll you right over the phone, no application is needed. When you call SilverScript tell them you are with the State of Iowa's retiree group number 9137. You will need to have your Wellmark and Medicare card handy. When you enroll, SilverScript will notify Wellmark of your enrollment and Wellmark will reduce your premium.
You must enroll in SilverScript before the month you want coverage to be effective.
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SilverScript Process
When you enroll in SilverScript, SilverScript becomes the primary payor for prescription drugs and the state of Iowa’s pays as secondary.
When you enroll in SilverScript you will not notice any difference in your prescription drug coverage. You will still pay your prescription copayments according to your Wellmark plan, like you always have.
You will have two ID cards – Wellmark and SilverScript. You will use this SilverScript identification card in addition to your Wellmark identification card at the pharmacy. You must show both of these identification cards at the pharmacy for claims to be filed correctly. Tell your pharmacist to file your claim first under the SilverScript card, and then under your State of Iowa Wellmark plan card. Under the coordinated pharmacy benefits, SilverScript will pay your claims as primary and the State of Iowa's Wellmark plan will pay as secondary. You need to make sure your pharmacy files your claims this way in order to receive the correct state of Iowa plan copayments.
If you are not charged your usual copay amount, the pharmacist may not have filed your prescription to both cards.
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SilverScript Customer Service
Once you are enrolled in SilverScript, you can can contact SilverScript's customer service area at 1-800-678-1853 (toll-free) with any questions you may have.
When SilverScript sends you mailings about your pharmacy benefits, you can disregard any information on the plan design of SilverScript. You do not have SilverScript's copayments, deductible, or gap/"donut hole."
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For More Information
Contact Rachel Orris at 515-281-6124 if you have any questions or need additional information.
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