Health Insurance
All retirees over age 65 or those who become eligible for Medicare prior to the age of 65 are required to enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B in order to participate in the Colgate University retiree health insurance plan.
Retirees over 65 years old and/or Medicare-eligible are enrolled in an Excellus Group Advantage Plan. For assistance, visit the Excellus Group Advantage Plan website or call 1-877-883-9577.
Create an Excellus member account
Excellus Group Medicare Advantage PPO Program
While the plan will continue to be administered by Excellus, the Medicare Advantage PPO plan encompasses Medicare Parts A, B, and D under the Advantage plan. The Group Medicare Advantage PPO plan continues to follow Medicare guidelines.
Explanation of Benefits (EOB): Those enrolled in the Excellus Medicare Advantage PPO Plan will receive one EOB for their claims. Members will no longer receive an EOB from Medicare.
2026 Excellus Group Medicare Advantage PPO plan Deductible
- $0 deductible for in-network services
- $500 deductible for out-of-network services
2026 Maximum Out-of-Pocket
- Maximum out-of-pocket for in-network providers: $2,500
- Maximum out-of-pocket for a combination of in-network and out-of-network providers: $8,000
Claim Processing and Excellus ID Card
- Under the Excellus Group Medicare Advantage PPO Copay Plan, Excellus administers all Medicare benefits, including Parts A, B, and D.
- Members present only their Excellus Group Medicare Advantage PPO Copay Plan Card for medical, hospital, and prescription services.
- The new ID number begins with VYM.
- Once a member enrolls in a Medicare Advantage plan (Part C), that Medicare Advantage plan—Excellus, in this case—becomes the primary payer. With Medicare Advantage, original Medicare does not pay first, nor does it share in the billing sequence. The Group Medicare Advantage PPO plan is an alternative way to receive your government-mandated benefits.
- Medicare Part A or B claims will no longer be separated from the cost of services, and members will only see what Excellus Part C has paid.
Submitting Claims
Local Providers: Claims are submitted by your provider directly to Excellus, and Excellus pays the claim.
To find a provider: visit Medicare.ExcellusBCBS.com/FindADoctor to use the Excellus Find a Doctor tool or visit ExcellusMedicare.com/Providers for a printed directory. You can also call Customer Care at 1-877-883-9577 (TTY 711), Monday-Friday, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m. From October 1 to March 31, 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., 7 days a week.
Providers outside of the Syracuse, Utica area: The provider is primarily responsible for submitting the claim to their local BCBS “host” plan (for example, Anthem), which then submits the claim to your “home” plan (Excellus).
To find a provider in a participating county, call 1-800-810-BLUE (2583) or go to the "Blue National Doctor and Hospital Finder" website at Provider.BCBS.com.
Medicare Premiums
With Group Medicare Advantage, your Medicare premiums are collected by Medicare and directed to the insurer, Excellus, to help cover the cost of services paid by the plan.
Prescription Drugs
Prescription drug coverage is available through the Excellus Group Advantage Plan.
Learn more about Medicare prescription drugs
Cost
- 2026 Maximum out-of-pocket: $2,100
- Copays: $10/$45/$90
Medications Processed under Part D
Part D helps cover the cost of prescription drugs picked up at the pharmacy, including many recommended shots or vaccines. Prescription copays are subject to the formulary-based copay tier.
Medications Processed under Part B
Part B drugs are medically necessary outpatient prescription drugs administered by a medical provider, in a hospital setting, an infusion center, or even at home, and usually not self-administered.
Examples include chemotherapy, radiation, macular degeneration eye shots, osteoporosis injections, and biologic injections. These types of drugs are covered under Medicare's medical benefits and, under the new Group Advantage plan, will be subject to up to a 20% coinsurance.
Please note: GLP-1’s specifically prescribed for weight loss diagnosis are not a covered prescription drug
Mail Order Service
Mail order service is available through Express Scripts or Wegmans.
Diabetic Information
Available to retirees over age 65 and on the Excellus Medicare Advantage Plan.
Glucometers or blood glucose monitors
Group Medicare Advantage members have access to glucometers for a $0 copay for the preferred Abbott brand.
Visit choosefreestyle.com or call Abbott Diabetes Care at (800) 680-6850 and provide offer code DX6JW01W
Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM) Cost:
- $5 copay for Dexcom G6/G7, FreeStyle Libre 2/3 or Freestyle Libre CGMs
- $5 copay for each 30-day supply of CGM supplies
Hearing Aids
Hearing aid benefits are available to those enrolled in the Excellus Group Advantage Plan.
Hearing aid benefits are provided by TruHearing. The plan includes coverage for 80 batteries per aid for non-rechargeable models; members must use a TruHearing provider. Hearing aid copays do not count towards your maximum out-of-pocket amount.
Visit the TruHearing website or call 1-855-205-5519 to schedule an appointment.
Vision care is available through the Excellus Medicare Advantage Plan or the VSP plan.
Excellus Medicare Advantage Plan Benefits
- Routine eye exams: Once per calendar year
- In-network providers: $20 copayment per visit
- Out-of-network providers: $25 copayment per visit
- Eyeglasses (lenses and frames) or contact lenses: Reimbursement for up to $100 for in- and out-of-network providers.
Submitting Claims
Retirees should provide their Excellus ID card with the VYM subscriber ID to the service provider. The service provider can submit the claim directly to Excellus. For any services not submitted at the time of service, retirees may submit a claim to Excellus for reimbursement.
VSP Benefits
Retirees also have the option to enroll in a VSP plan and pay VSP directly for their coverage. Visit the VSP website to learn more and enroll, or call 800-785-0699.
Standard Plan
- Eye exam: Every 12 months, $15 copay
- Frames: Every 12 months, $25 copay. $150 allowance for a wide selection of brands, $170 allowance for featured frame brands.
- Lenses: Every 12 months for single vision, lined bifocal, and lined trifocal lenses. Enhancements, including progressive lenses, anti-glare, light-to-dark tinting, may be extra.
- Contacts: Every 12 months, $150 allowance
EasyOptions Plan
- Eye exam: Every 12 months, $15 copay
- Frames: Every 12 months, $25 copay. $150 allowance for a wide selection of brands, $170 allowance for featured frame brands.
- Lenses: Every 12 months, single-vision, lined bifocal, and lined trifocal lenses. Enhancements, such as progressive lenses, anti-glare, light-to-dark tinting, may be extra.
- Contacts: Every 12 months, $150 allowance
- Upgrades: You may choose one upgrade
- Fully covered non-line bifocals, fully covered light-to-dark tint, increase frame allowance to $230, increase contact lens allowance to $230.
For more information regarding your options for Medicare plans, contact:
Gail Manfredo
Benefit Consultant
Alera Group
315-794-3090
gail.manfredo@aleragroup.com