OGB Health Coverage During Your Retirement

Know Your Responsibilities

It's up to you to protect your benefits!

As an OGB member preparing for retirement, you must complete the following tasks to have uninterrupted health coverage. Members are encouraged to attend a retirement workshop for more information about taking your benefits into retirement.

What Should You Do Before Retirement?

Be Sure You Are Currently Enrolled in OGB Health Coverage. You must be enrolled in OGB health coverage immediately prior to your retirement to be eligible for OGB health coverage as a retiree.
Check Your Years of Participation in OGB Health Coverage. At least 4 MONTHS before your planned retirement date, you should request a participation summary from OGB. Your request must be in writing and made to [email protected].
- Remember: Your years of working for the State or participating in a retirement program ARE NOT the same as years of participation in OGB health coverage. Your premium share in retirement will be based on your years of participation in OGB health coverage, which could be different from the number of years you worked for the State.
- Contact OGB immediately if you believe your participation summary is incorrect.
- Always include your name and social security number on anything submitted to OGB.
Make Payment Arrangements for Your Post-Retirement Premiums. At least 3 MONTHS before your planned retirement date, you should go to your agency’s human resources department and make arrangements for how your premiums will be paid during your retirement.
Always keep a copy of all correspondence with OGB for your own records.

How Much of Your Premiums Will the State Pay?

The State’s share of your post-retirement premiums will be based on the number of years that you participated in OGB health coverage if you:

Started participation in OGB before January 1, 2002 and have not maintained continuous OGB coverage, or
Started participation in OGB on or after January 1, 2002

Table comparing the state's percentage share of the total monthly premium by the years of OGB plan participation
Retiree Participation Schedule
Years of OGB Plan Participation	State's Share of Total Monthly Premium
20 years or more	75 percent
15 years but less than 20 years	56 percent
10 years but less than 15 years	38 percent
Less than 10 years	19 percent
This schedule also applies to both OGB and LSU First health plan participants

Will You Need to Report Anything to OGB After You Retire?

YES. Always inform OGB - in writing if:

Your address changes
You become a re-employed retiree by working for any OGB-participating agency (including the agency from which you retired)
Your number of eligible dependents changes
Your Medicare eligibility changes

Warning! Be Careful with Your Post-Retirement Benefits

DON'T drop your OGB health coverage unless you NEVER want to have OGB health coverage again!
- If you drop OGB coverage in retirement, you will lose it FOREVER!
DON'T sign up for a Medicare Advantage, Medigap, or Medicare Part D plan that is not offered through OGB.
- If you do, you will be dropped from OGB and lose your OGB health coverage.
- If you are considering a new Medicare plan, contact us before you sign up to find out if it is an OGB-sponsored plan.

Retiree 100 Program

The Retiree 100 program provides additional coverage for retired members enrolled in the Magnolia Open Access plan who have Medicare Parts A and B as their primary insurance. It helps cover high hospital and physician costs related to serious illness, accidents, or chronic conditions. For more information view our Retiree 100 form.

Eligibility
- Retired state employee
- Enrolled in the Magnolia Open Access plan
- Medicare Parts A and B as your primary insurance
Eligible spouses may also be enrolled if they are covered as dependents and have Medicare Parts A and B.
Coverage Limitations

Only expenses eligible under both Medicare and the Magnolia Open Access plan are considered. Prescription drugs and charges above Medicare-allowed amounts are not covered.
Premium

$81 per person per month, in addition to your regular OGB premium. No state contribution.
Enrollment

Enroll within 30 days of becoming eligible for Medicare Parts A and B. Coverage begins the month Medicare eligibility starts.

For More Information:

Contact your agency human resources department
OGB Customer Service: 1-800-272-8451, Option 6 (M-F, 8:00am - 4:30pm)
OGB Mailing Address: P.O. Box 44036, Baton Rouge, LA 70804
OGB Offices: 1201 North 3rd St. (Claiborne Building), Suite G-159, Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Find answers to frequently asked questions about retirement and Medicare by visiting our FAQs Page