What’s Staying the Same for 2024

Pre-Age 65 Retiree: GW Retiree HSP

For 2024, GW will continue to offer the GW Retiree Health Savings Plan (Retiree HSP) for retirees and their dependents under age 65.

Life Insurance

There will be no change to the GW-provided life insurance coverage for retirees. Please remember that reductions do apply.

Health Advocate

For hassle-free assistance with resolving healthcare and insurance issues, look no further than GW’s Health Advocate program, which will continue to be a special benefit offering available to all GW retirees enrolled in a medical plan through bswift or Via Benefits. Example services include resolving medical bill errors, estimating costs for medical procedures, locating eldercare and caregiver support resources, clarifying insurance plans and more.

Call Health Advocate at (866) 695-8622 or visit healthadvocate.com/gwu.

Freestanding Imaging and Labs Preferred Network

A freestanding network facility performs outpatient services and submits claims separately from any hospital affiliation, and may be a lower cost option for certain medical services. For GW retirees and their dependents enrolled in the GW Retiree HSP, GW will continue to offer a preferred network,* including a lower coinsurance, for usage of freestanding facilities in lieu of hospitals for lab tests, radiology services, major diagnostics and other services. LabCorp and Quest Diagnostics will continue to be GW’s preferred vendors for lab work.

*In-network freestanding facilities and GW Hospital

UHC Virtual Visits

Virtual Visits will remain a health plan feature for 2024, allowing UHC members to connect with a doctor via mobile device or computer—24/7, no appointment needed. Get timely care, including diagnosis and prescription, and pay less out-of-pocket. To access a UnitedHealthcare Virtual Visit provider, log on to www.myuhc.com or download the UHC App.  Find instructions on how to access the additional virtual visit providers in the FAQ section on myuhc.com under related links for additional information.

Telemental Health

Telemental Health is available through your UHC medical benefit. The service uses secure, video-calling technology to provide real-time access to a behavioral health professional, and features a network of over 3,000 providers in all 50 states. Learn more or schedule a visit at myuhc.com.

Diabetes Management Program

CVS’s Next Generation Transform Diabetes Care Program will continue to be offered in 2024 as part of the GW Retiree HSP. This program focuses on a highly personalized approach that uses member-specific data to help customize program offerings based on their risk profile. Diabetic medications and supplies must be filled through CVS Retail or CVS Mail Order.

Real Appeal

The weight-loss support program, Real Appeal, will continue to be offered through the GW Retiree HSP. (You must be a plan participant to join Real Appeal.) Real Appeal is designed to support members who have a body mass index (BMI)* of 23 or more—at no cost. The program uses live online coaching and highly interactive weekly internet videos to drive small behavior changes week by week over the course of an entire year.

If you are currently enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare medical plan through GW, you may enroll at any time after meeting BMI eligibility requirements. Visit gwu.realappeal.com for more information.

*BMI eligibility requirements must be met to enroll.

Mandatory Maintenance Choice – All Access with Opt-Out

Under the Current Maintenance Choice program, the number of 30-day fills for maintenance prescriptions at a retail pharmacy (including CVS) is limited to three. After your third 30-day fill of a maintenance prescription, you pay the higher cost.

Under this prescription program, members will be prompted after their third 30-day fill to either move their prescription to CVS or contact customer care to opt out and continue filling at their local pharmacy. Participants will be responsible for the applicable coinsurance; however, the higher cost will no longer apply.

Through this program, participants will gain access to delivery offerings:

• On-Demand Delivery – Four-hour delivery offered within 10 miles of any CVS Pharmacy store, for a small fee.
• One- to Two-Day Delivery – Delivery provided by USPS within 1-2 days, at no extra cost to the member.

Medical Faculty Associates (MFA) Benefit Coverage Tier

The GW Retiree HSP medical plan includes a separate benefit coverage tier for Medical Faculty Associates (MFA). When GW medical plan participants see an MFA provider*, they receive lower copayments and lower coinsurance, helping your medical expense dollars go further because a greater portion of your care will be covered by the Plan. GW Retirees on the HSP medical plan have a dedicated phone number to schedule appointments at: 202-677-6000.

*The MFA tier applies to professional charges by MFA providers, MFA behavioral health providers will continue to be out of-network.

Tuition

Retirees will continue to be eligible for the tuition remission benefit, which pays a percentage of tuition costs based on years of service. The benefit may also be used by a retiree's spouse or domestic partner and eligible dependents (depending on years of service).