Eligibility
Effective July 1, 2025, benefits eligible Michigan Tech employees who retire and meet the following requirements will be eligible to enroll in the Michigan Tech Retiree Insurance:
- Age + Years of Service = 70
- Minimum Age = 55 years
- Minimum years of service = 5 years
- No break in coverage
- Retirees who opt out of Michigan Tech's Retiree Insurance coverage at the time of retirement will not be eligible to re-enroll at a later date.
- If a Retiree has opted out of a coverage for one benefit but elected other coverages, they may not opt back into the opted out coverage at a later date.
Employees considering enrolling in Retiree Benefits may read more about the available options and current plan rates in the menu below. To enroll in coverage, employees who meet the above criteria should reach out to our benefit services team benefits@mtu.edu when planning their retirement date.
Retiree First (2025 Plan Year)
Michigan Tech's retiree health insurance, for those ages 65 years and over, transitioned in 2025 to a fully insured group Medicare Advantage Part D plan offered via a vendor, Retiree First.
This change resulted in lower costs and improved benefits for our retirees, together with a concierge-type support from Retiree First with dedicated, one-on-one advocacy and engagement. Under the Retiree First plan, Michigan Tech will subsidize a minimum of 50% of the health insurance premium paid by each retiree.
The table below shows the price comparison between the 2025 rates for the current Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan MTU Retiree health plan vs. the new 2025 health plan through Retiree First.
| BCBS Michigan PPO | Humana Medicare Advantage Part D | |
|---|---|---|
|
Cost per Retiree (per month) |
$554.17 | $103.07 |
*BCBS Michigan price is an average; the Humana price is price per member after a 50% MTU subsidy is applied.
Dental and Vision coverage will continue to be made available to our retirees and administered by MTU Benefits Services through Delta Dental and VSP Vision. The 2025 enrollment process for dental and vision coverage will be consistent with past practice.
| Retiree Dental 1 | Retiree Dental 2 | Vision | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retiree | $30.94 | $28.54 | $9.03 |
| Retiree + Spouse | $57.52 | $53.00 | $18.06 |
For 2025 benefits, please contact Retiree First.
Retiree Open Enrollment 2026
Open enrollment dates for 2026 will be from November 3 to December 11, 2025.
Open Enrollment is an annual opportunity to assess your individual or family needs. Elections made during Open Enrollment will be effective January 1, 2026.
Enrollment forms with 2026 benefit options were mailed to the address on file for Retirees on October 31, 2025 and November 3, 2025.
Retiree Open Enrollment is a passive enrollment process. This means if the enrollment form is not completed, we will continue the Retiree’s current enrolled benefit options with the 2026 rates and plan changes. Example: If a retiree is enrolled in Dental 1 coverage through Delta Dental for 2025 and does not complete the enrollment form, coverage will be continued in the 2026 Dental 1 plan through The Standard and invoices will be sent for the 2026 Dental 1 rates.
Invoices for 2026 elected coverage options will be sent in early 2026. Invoices are sent in accordance with the billing frequency elected on the enrollment form (semi annual or annual). Billing frequency may only be changed during the annual open enrollment period.
Several changes were made to the Retiree Benefit offerings for 2026 and are detailed below.
2026 Retiree Health Plan Design Changes
Retirees or Dependents under age 65
Effective January 1, 2026, Retirees and their dependents under age 65 can elect to remain on a Michigan Tech Blue Cross Blue Shield of MI Retiree HuskyCare 1 or Retiree HuskyCare 2 health plan. These plans mirror existing employee plans. The Retiree and dependent would be responsible to pay the full cost of the plan until age 65. Plan costs will be updated annually by December 1 for the following calendar year. When the Retiree or dependent becomes 65 years old, Blue Cross Blue Shield of MI will transition the Retiree or dependent to a Group Medicare Advantage Part D Plan.
| Plan | Monthly Contribution |
|---|---|
| Retiree Husky Care 1 |
|
| Retiree Husky Care 2 |
|
Note: MTU COBRA participants will experience the same plan design changes and a similar contribution increase for 2026. COBRA contributions are slightly higher as they include a 2% COBRA administrative fee.
| Retiree HuskyCare 1 | Retiree HuskyCare 2 | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| In-Network | Out-of-Network | In-Network | Out-of-Network | |
| Annual Deductible | $1,500/$3,000 | $3,000/$6,000 | $2,250/$4,500 | $3,500/$7,000 |
|
Out-of-Pocket Max (Individual/Family) Deductible is included |
$3,000/$6,000 | $8,000/$16,000 |
|
|
|
In-Patient Hospitalization/ Surgery |
30% after deductible | 30% after deductible | 10% after deductible | 30% after deductible |
| Office Visit | 30% | 30% after deductible | 20% after deductible | 35% after deductible |
| Lab & X-Ray | 30% | 30% after deductible | 10% | 30% after deductible |
| Mental Health | 30% | 30% after deductible | 20% after deductible | 35% after deductible |
| Physical Therapy | 30% | 30% after deductible | 20% after deductible | 35% after deductible |
| Chiropractic | 30% | 30% after deductible | 20% after deductible | 40% after deductible |
| Massage Therapy | 30% | 30% after deductible | 20% after deductible | 35% after deductible |
| Urgent Care | $50 | 30% after deductible | 10% after deductible | 30% after deductible |
| Emergency Room Visit | $150 | $150 | 20% after deductible | 20% after deductible |
| Retail Rx |
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Mail Order Rx / 3 months |
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Medicare eligible retirees: refer to the 2026 BCBSM MAPD information.
Retiree Health Benefits Age 65+ Group Medicare Advantage Part D Plan
Effective January 2025, Retirees and their dependents age 65 or older are eligible to participate in a fully insured group Medicare Advantage Part D (MAPD) plan through Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan. Under this plan, Michigan Tech will subsidize a minimum of 50% of the health insurance premium paid by each retiree. Plan costs will be updated annually by December 1 for the following calendar year. Retirees or their dependents were enrolled in a Humana plan provided through Retiree First for 2025. Retirees or their dependents will be transitioned to a Blue Cross Blue Shield MAPD plan effective January 1, 2026.
Blue Cross Blue Shield of MI will be hosted a virtual presentation on Monday, November 11, 2025, detailing the new MAPD plan and answering any questions from Retirees. If you were unable to attend the presentation, the recording of the session is linked below:
BCBSM 2026 Retiree Health Insurance Presentation (65+)
Plan and Subsidy
- Insurance Vendor: Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan (BCBSM)
- Plan Type: Medicare Advantage with Prescription Drug (MAPD) PPO Plan
- Michigan Tech will subsidize a minimum of 50% of the premium paid by each member.
| Coverage | 2026 Rate (with 50% MTU subsidy) |
|---|---|
| 1 Member | $123.92 per month |
| 2 Members | $247.84 per month |
| Service | 2025 Coverage (Humana) | NEW 2026 Coverage (BCBSM) |
|---|---|---|
|
Deductible |
$100 |
$100 |
|
Coinsurance |
- |
20% |
|
Out of Pocket Maximum |
$3000 |
$3000 |
|
Office Visits/ Consultations |
$10 |
$10 |
|
Specialist |
$35 |
$35 |
|
Psychiatric/Psychotherapy |
$40 |
$40 |
|
Urgent Care |
$35 |
$35 |
|
Emergency Room |
$65 |
$65 |
|
Ambulance |
$100 |
$75 |
|
Inpatient Hospitalization |
$165 per day (Days 1-5) copay |
Deductible/Coinsurance applies (unlimited days) |
|
Inpatient Mental Health |
$165 per day (Days 1-5) copay |
Deductible/Coinsurance applies (190-day lifetime limit remains) |
|
Outpatient Surgery |
$125 copay |
Deductible/Coinsurance applies |
|
Skilled Nursing Facility |
|
Deductible/Coinsurance applies |
|
Home Infusion Therapy |
Not covered |
New - Covered at 100% |
|
Durable Medical Equipment |
20% Coinsurance |
New - Covered at 100% |
|
Detailed Annual Physical |
Office Visit cost share applied |
Removes Office Visit cost share (Covered at 100%) |
|
Prescription Copay Tier 1/2 |
$10 |
Preferred pharmacy $10, Standard $15 |
|
Prescription Copay Tier 3 |
$20 |
Preferred pharmacy $20, Standard $25 |
|
Prescription Copay Tier 4 |
$40 |
Preferred pharmacy $40, Standard $45 |
|
Prescription Copay Tier 5 Specialty Drug |
$80 |
Preferred pharmacy $80, Standard $85 |
Important Things to Know
- You must be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B to participate in the BCBSM MAPD Plan.
- Put your Medicare card in a safe place in case you need it later. You will use only your BCBSM ID card for Medical and Prescription Drugs.
- You can use any willing Medicare medical provider, regardless of if the provider is in or out of the network.
- No referrals are needed for Medicare covered medical services.
- You should continue to be able to use almost any retail pharmacy as BCBSM includes over 66,000 in-network pharmacies, nationwide.
- You do not need new prescriptions for retail pharmacies. Simply show your new ID card and your refills will be processed under the BCBSM MAPD Plan.
Retiree Dental and Vision Coverage
Retirees and their dependents are eligible to remain on Michigan Tech Dental Coverage and Vision Coverage. The Retiree may elect to change from Dental Plan 1 to Dental Plan 2 or vice versa through Open Enrollment. Benefit plan details are aligned with our employee plans and are listed below. Additional general information about the plan options is outlined on our Dental/Vision benefits page.
For 2026, Dental Insurance will move from Delta Dental to The Standard. The two dental plan options remain largely the same. Premiums have slightly increased and out-of-network coverage has changed from a Maximum Allowable Charge (MAC) calculation to a Usual and Customary (U&C) calculation. The intent behind this change is to reduce costs for Retirees and improve out-of-network coverage for plan members.
| 2025 Premium | NEW 2026 Premium | |
|---|---|---|
| Retiree Husky Dental 1 |
|
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| Retiree Husky Dental 2 |
|
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Dental Coverage
The standard network coverages listed below.
| Husky Dental 1 | Husky Dental 2 | |
|---|---|---|
|
Class I – preventative – twice a calendar year |
0% | 0% |
| Class II – fillings, extractions, root canals | 20% | 50% |
| Class III – crowns, gold fillings, dentures | 50% | 50% |
|
Class IV – orthodontic – dependents up to age 20 |
50% to a lifetime max of $1,500 | Not Available |
| Dollar Maximum | $750 per person per year | $750 per person per year |
Vision Coverage through VSP Vision
Vision Insurance will continue through VSP Vision with no changes to plan design or premiums.
|
Premiums |
|
|---|---|
|
VSP Vision (In-network benefits shown) |
|
| For members without prescription eyewear | Non-prescription sunglasses or blue light filtering glasses covered in full every 2 calendar years |
Retiree Life Insurance Coverage
Retirees are eligible to continue their MTU life insurance coverage based on the following monthly rates:
| Retiree Age Range | Rate per $1,000 |
|---|---|
|
50-54 |
$0.43 |
|
55-59 |
$0.72 |
|
60-64 |
$0.92 |
|
65-69 |
$1.48 |
|
70-74 |
$2.60 |
|
75+ |
$4.26 |
Life insurance premiums are invoiced in accordance with the Retiree’s elected billing preferences selected on their enrollment form. If no enrollment form is received for 2026, invoicing continues at the option elected during past year enrollments.