Welcome to the State System's Annuitant Health Care Program (AHCP) webpage. Details about your Pre-Medicare (under 65) and Medicare eligible health care coverage are found here in additional to important forms and notices for retirees, dependents, or survivor spouses.
Add/Drop Dependents Becoming Medicare Eligible (Age 65) Death/Survivor Spouse Info FAQs
Pre-Medicare
Pre-Medicare retirees/dependents are enrolled in the applicable coverage based upon their bargaining unit/employee group and retirement date from the State System. For detailed information regarding your coverage, please view the Benefit Booklet for the group listed on your Highmark ID card.
- BlueCross BlueShield International Travel (Pertains to only Pre-Medicare group numbers 025079-60 through 025079-66).
Questions
Please contact Highmark Blue Shield regarding coverage questions by calling 1-888-745-3212 (phone number listed on back of ID card).
Medicare Eligible
All Medicare-eligible retirees/dependents residing in the United States are enrolled into the customized Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Blue PPO Medicare Advantage Plan. Enrollment is contingent upon the retiree/dependent enrolling in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. This private Medicare plan bundles all the coverage provided with Medicare Part A (facilities), Medicare Part B (providers) and Medicare Part D (prescription drug) into a single Medicare Advantage Plan (also known as Medicare Part C).
Once enrolled, retirees/dependents will only be required to present their Freedom Blue PPO ID card for all your services and keep your original Medicare ID card at home. For more information on the Freedom Blue PPO Medicare Advantage Plan, please visit the information below.
Welcome Member Guide (Sample) Overview Booklet
Pre-enrollment Tools - Below are tools to look up pharmacy information. After you receive your ID card, there are more accurate tools are available through MyHighmark.com.
Freedom Blue PPO Additional Benefits
Vision Benefits
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- Vision Benefit Details
- Vision Benefit Comparison – PA Retired Faculty (PARFAC – APSCURF)
- Vision Benefit Comparison – PA Retired State Employees (PARSE)
- Vision Provider Lookup
Hearing Benefits
Additional Benefits
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- Fitness Benefit Overview - Learn about the gym benefit, how to locate participating gyms, and the out-of-network gym benefit.
- Meals After Hospital Discharge
- Over-the-Counter Product Benefit – Learn about $25 allowance per quarter per enrolled member for OTC products, call to order a catalog, or order online from the catalog.
- Personalized Wellness Plan / Wellness Rewards
- House Call Program
- Blue Neighbor Program - A volunteer program that creates memorable experiences and improves the health of our communities. We build sustainable friendships through social connections and engagement opportunities, and empowering people through education and resources.
Questions
If you have questions after reviewing the material above, please contact Highmark
Blue Shield’s dedicated Medicare Advantage concierge call center 1-888-431-2831 (TTY:711), 8 a.m. – 8 p.m. everyday.
Other Helpful Links
- State Employees’ Retirement System (SERS) 1-800-633-5461
- Public School Employees’ Retirement System (PSERS) 1-888-773-7748
- Alternative Retirement Plan (ARP)
Forms
Agreement to Cancel AHCP Form
Annuitant Health Care Change Form
Auto Debit Banking Form
Delayed AHCP Election Form
Delayed Surviving Spouse Election Form
Disabled Dependent Certification Form
Student Certification Form
State System Contact Info
Email: RetireeBenefitHelp@passhe.edu
Phone: 717-720-4153
FAX: 717-720-4162
Pennsylvania’s State System
of Higher Education
System Office - AHCP Benefits
2300 Vartan Way, Suite 207
Harrisburg PA 17110
