2019 Annual Enrollment

Transcription

1 2019 Annual Enrollment Retirees and Dependent Survivors of Retirees October 26 - November 5, 2018 Annual enrollment is your opportunity to review your benefit options and make changes for the coming year. Use this guide to review your options. Consult the plan comparison on page 4. Enrollment Dates Begins Friday, October 26 and ends Monday, November 5, 2018 Enroll Online CNPBenefits.com To log in, enter your User ID (your Social Security number) and password. For your initial logon, your password will be the last four digits of your Social Security number. You will then be prompted to choose a new password. If you (and/or your dependents) have Medicare or will become eligible for Medicare in the next 12 months, a Federal law gives you more choices about your prescription drug coverage. Please see page 7 for more details. 1

2 2019 Enrollment News Pre-65 retirees and eligible dependents who have coverage under the retiree medical plan will be automatically enrolled in the UHC Medicare Advantage PPO plan upon reaching age 65 or becoming Medicare eligible, unless coverage is dropped. The Medicare Advantage plan is the sole coverage option for Medicare-eligible participants. To be eligible for the Medicare Advantage plan, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B and continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. Currently enrolled non-medicare eligible retirees will be automatically enrolled in the same coverage options for Unless you wish to make other changes to your benefit elections, you do not need to actively enroll. Reminder: As of January 1, 2015, retirees and their dependents cannot re enroll in the Retiree Medical Plan once coverage has been cancelled. Be sure to print your 2019 confirmation statement and confirm the accuracy of your elections. This information is available to you at all times at CNPBenefits.com. Standard progressive lenses are covered under the Vision Plan at a $0 copay Changes to out-of-network reimbursement process Changes to provider out-of-network payment process Why is receiving In-Network Care important? You receive the most benefit from your medical plan if you receive your medical care in the UnitedHealthcare (UHC) network. Why is that? Our medical plan options include benefits paid at a higher percentage of billed charges if you and your family members use physicians, facilities and other providers that have contracted to be part of the UHC network. These contracted providers have agreed to provide services at a significant discount. In addition, the provider will not bill you for any balances resulting from the discount. They will bill you for your portion of any copays, s and coinsurance but based upon the discounted amount. Savings on average from contracted providers represent a 56% discount nationwide. Starting January 1, 2019, if you choose to use a provider that is not in the UHC network, your out-of-pocket costs could be much higher, even for an out-of-network provider you have used previously, due to a change in how the out-of-network claims will be processed. While there are some out-of-network providers that offer small discounts and state that they will not balance bill, the additional financial risk of using an out-of-network provider will be your responsibility. For out-of-network services, the CenterPoint Energy plan generally covers charges only up to 110% of the Medicareallowed amount for that service. This will apply to all out-of-network facilities and some other providers. You will be responsible for any amount above 110% of Medicare in addition to the and coinsurance. A discounted rate may have applied previously for some of these providers, so you may see an increase in your outof-pocket costs if you choose to continue using an out-of-network provider. If you need help locating network providers, you may contact UHC at , go to myuhc.com and look through the provider directory, or search on the Health4Me app. Provider reimbursement payment changes UnitedHealthcare is making enhancements to its out-of-network reimbursement strategy to address situations when out-of-network physicians do not accept reasonable payments when care is sought at a network facility but treatment is provided by an out-of-network physician (e.g., in the case of radiologists, anesthesiologists, surgeon assistants, etc. where the member has no choice in the provider used), or where an individual is treated at a non-contracted facility for emergency services. This enhancement will help reduce your exposure to coinsurance and expenses and take you out of the middle of provider balance billing. If you receive a balance bill for the amount above your patient responsibility when you did not have a choice in the provider used, UHC will work directly with providers to resolve the issue. This does not apply to claims where the person made the choice to go to a provider outside the UHC network. If you have a claim where this situation exists, there will be prominent language on your Explanation of Benefits (EOB). You will also receive a letter detailing the specific provider, date(s) of service, and dollar amounts and with details on UHC s member advocacy inquiry line available to you. UnitedHealthcare s inquiry line available through its partner Data isight is available at , Monday through Friday 8 am to 5 pm Central Time. 2

3 Maintenance Choice Program Through the Incentivized Maintenance Choice Program you and your family members can receive 90-day supplies of long-term medication(s) through either the CVS Caremark Mail Service Pharmacy or at a CVS/ Pharmacy. Either way, your payment will be the same reduced rate. If however, after two fills, you choose to continue to receive your maintenance prescriptions in 30-day supplies, an additional fee will be added to the copay or coinsurance you will pay. This fee will not apply if you choose to receive the 90-day refills of your long-term medications through mail service of at a CVS/pharmacy. *Fee (in addition to regular copay and coinsurance) Generic: $15; Preferred Brand: $25; Non-preferred: $40. Retiree Benefits Retirees and/or Dependents Under Age 65 If you are under age 65 and not eligible for Medicare, you may choose from any of the medical plan options described on page 4. You may also cover your spouse and your other eligible dependents if they were eligible dependents on the date you retired. If your spouse or dependent is Medicare-eligible due to age or disability and you elect dependent coverage, your spouse or dependent will have coverage in the UHC Medicare Advantage (PPO) Plan, subject to the eligibility requirements described below. See, also, Split Coverage Families below. Medicare Eligible Retirees and/or Dependents If you are age 65 or Medicare-eligible you will be covered under the UHC Medicare Advantage (PPO) plan. To be eligible for this plan, you must be enrolled in Medicare Part A and Part B and continue to pay your Medicare Part B premium. Further, this plan includes prescription drug coverage and you can only have such coverage under one plan. If you enroll in a stand-alone Medicare Part D plan or a medical plan that includes prescription drug coverage, you may be disenrolled from this plan. Medicare eligible Retiree medical coverage option: United Healthcare Group Medicare Advantage (PPO) Plan Non-Medicare eligible Retiree medical coverage options: United Healthcare Group 80/20 PPO or Indemnity Plans Split Coverage Families Non-Medicare eligible Dependent medical coverage options: United Healthcare Group 80/20 PPO or Indemnity Plans Medicare eligible Dependent medical coverage option: United Healthcare Group Medicare Advantage (PPO) Plan Split Coverage Families If you have some family members who become Medicareeligible and others not currently eligible for Medicare, you re considered a split coverage family. When this occurs you will cover yourself and your dependents differently. For those who are Medicare-eligible, the coverage will be under the UHC Medicare Advantage (PPO) plan. For those who are not Medicare-eligible but who are eligible for Plan coverage, the Plan coverage will be under a non-medicare option. You may change the non- Medicare coverage option during the annual enrollment period. Coordination of Benefits When you or your dependents are covered by another non-medicare medical plan, such as a medical plan provided by your spouse s employer, the CenterPoint Energy plan coordinates benefits between the plans. One plan is considered primary and the other is secondary. The primary plan pays benefits first. If the CenterPoint Energy plan is secondary, the plan pays its normal benefits minus the amount the primary plan pays. If you are Medicare-eligible, you are required to enroll in Medicare Part A and Part B, and waive Medicare Part D in order to continue enrollment in the UHC Medicare Advantage (PPO) plan offered through CenterPoint Energy. Eligibility If you retired from CenterPoint Energy at age 55 or older with at least 5 years of service after reaching age 50, you are currently eligible for the retiree benefits outlined on your enrollment worksheet and described in this enrollment guide.* The medical options available to you depend on your age, when you terminated from the company, and whether or not you are eligible for Medicare. Benefit coverage for most plans is limited to the eligible retiree and the retiree s eligible dependents if they were eligible dependents on the date you retired. You can initiate coverage for eligible dependents at a later date during annual enrollment or with a Qualified Life Event on a one-time basis. If you enroll and subsequently drop your coverage, you will not be allowed to reinstate your coverage in the future. Also, if you drop coverage for a dependent (including your spouse), that dependent coverage cannot be reinstated in the future. Annual enrollment is a good time to verify that the dependent information you previously reported is still accurate. Please check your dependent information carefully! *Please note: Employees represented by IBEW Local 66 who terminate or retire from the company as of January 1, 2017 or later, are not eligible to enroll in the CenterPoint Energy retiree medical plan. Any retiree medical coverage will be under the Family Medical Care Plan (FMCP). Eligible retirees will still be eligible for dental and vision coverage through the CNP plan, which will be fully paid for by the retiree.

4 Former NorAm Retiree Eligibility Benefit coverage for most grandfathered NorAm retiree plans is limited to the eligible retiree and the retiree s eligible dependents if they were covered dependents when you retired and have been continually covered since you commenced your benefit. If you drop your coverage, you will not be allowed to reinstate your coverage in the future. Also, if you drop coverage for a dependent (including your spouse), that dependent coverage cannot be reinstated in the future. Annual enrollment is a good time to verify that the dependent information you previously reported is still accurate. Please check your dependent information carefully! Verify Your Dependent Information Is Your Dependent Eligible? To be eligible for coverage, a spouse must be the plan participant s current lawful spouse at the time of retirement (not divorced from the plan participant) and must have been the lawful spouse at the time of retirement. Eligible children are your children up to the age of 26 (including legally adopted children, stepchildren or eligible foster children) even if they have other outside coverage options. Children who are mentally or physically handicapped and became handicapped before age 26 also may be specially approved over the age limit if they rely on you for support and if you maintain continuous coverage for them. You may also cover qualifying relatives under the age of 26 if you are their court-ordered legal guardian and claim them as a dependent for income tax purposes. If you have any questions regarding dependent eligibility, contact the Benefits Service Center at or Dependent Eligibility is Subject to Verification All benefit plan coverage provided by CenterPoint Energy is based on the truthfulness of statements made by the plan participants during the enrollment process, regardless of enrollment method. For any misrepresentation or fraudulent statements made to Plan fiduciaries or a service provider, the Plan Administrator may, at its sole discretion, take action to remedy the situation, including but not limited to denying coverage for a fraudulent claim, rescinding or terminating coverage for a participant and/or the participant s family members, or terminating the ability of a medical provider to file claims with this Plan. The participant making an intentional misrepresentation or fraudulent statement may also be subject to federal prosecution for health care fraud pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, and the Plan Administrator may disclose all relevant personal health information to federal authorities for prosecution. The company also reserves the right to take disciplinary action, up to and including rescinding or terminating coverage for any plan participant who misrepresents their status, makes fraudulent statements or who covers or seeks benefit plan coverage for any individual who does not qualify under the eligibility rules of the Plan. In all cases, your dependent must have been an eligible dependent on the date of your termination from employment to be eligible for plan coverage. Medica Network Changing to UnitedHealthcare network For Members in MN, ND, SD, starting January 1, 2019, UHC will be transitioning from the Medica network to the UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus network. You may notice that materials, such as ID cards, explanation of benefits, and other correspondence will no longer contain the Medica branding. The UnitedHealthcare Choice Plus network contains virtually all of the same providers as Medica. Prior to January 1, if you would like to confirm that your provider is in-network go to www. welcometouhc.com/ centerpoint. After January 1, you can log into using your current login information. Members will login to portals using myuhc.com instead of mymedica.com; members who log into mymedica.com will be routed to the new myuhc.com experience. Members can utilize their same login information on the myuhc.com portal to access the same member information, provider search, cost transparency tools, and historical claims data. Members living in MN, ND and SD will receive a new UHC ID Card. Members will continue to have the same member call experience, Health4Me app, wellness tools, portal functionality and historical claims. 4

5 How the Medical Options Compare Medical Plan Option* UnitedHealthcare 80/20 PPO* (For Retirees Under Age 65) UnitedHealthcare $1,000 Indemnity (For Retirees Under Age 65) United Healthcare $3,000 Indemnity (For Retirees Under Age 65) UnitedHealthcare $5,000 Indemnity (For Retirees Under Age 65) UnitedHealthcare Medicare Advantage (PPO) (Medicare eligible) Annual Deductible** $500 per person $1,500 per family $2,000 per person $6,000 per family Physician Visits $40 PCP co-pay $50 Specialist co-pay (Co-pay for office visit exam fee only. Coinsurance may apply to other services.) 60% of non-network reimbursement rate after $1,000 per person 80% $3,000 per person 80% $5,000 per person 70% Testing and Ancillary Services 100% coverage for age appropriate testing related to preventive care 80% coinsurance applies to other charges after 60% of non-network reimbursement rate after 80% 80% 70% Emergency Room $300 ER visit co pay $300 ER visit co pay 70% after Hospital Admission/ Outpatient Surgery NETWORK $330 hospital admission co pay $165 outpatient surgery co pay NON-NETWORK 60% of non-network reimbursement rate after 80% 80% 70% Retail Prescriptions (30 day supply) Generic: $12 Preferred Brand: $40 Non-Preferred: $80 Mail Order Prescriptions (90-day supply)*** Generic: $30 Preferred Brand: $100 Non-Preferred: $200 Specialty drugs: Generic: $75 Preferred Brand: $150 Non-Preferred: $225 $150 per person combined retail/mail order prescriptions Reimbursement limited to generic drug benefit when non-generic is utilized. Coinsurance Out of Pocket Maximum** $6,000 per person $12,000 per family Not covered Not covered $25,000 per person $75,000 per family Generic: $12 Preferred Brand: $40 Non-Preferred: $80 Generic: $30 Preferred Brand: $100 Non-Preferred: $200 Specialty drugs: Generic: $75 Preferred Brand: $150 Non-Preferred: $225 $150 per person combined retail/mail order prescriptions Reimbursement limited to generic drug benefit when non-generic is utilized. Generic: $12 Preferred Brand: $40 Non-Preferred: $80 Generic: $30 Preferred Brand: $100 Non-Preferred: $200 Specialty drugs: Generic: $75 Preferred Brand: $150 Non-Preferred: $225 $150 per person combined retail/mail order prescriptions Reimbursement limited to generic drug benefit when non-generic is utilized. Generic: $12 Preferred Brand: $40 Non-Preferred: $80 Generic: $30 Preferred Brand: $100 Non-Preferred: $200 Specialty drugs: Generic: $75 Preferred Brand: $150 Non-Preferred: $225 $150 per person combined retail/mail order prescriptions Reimbursement limited to generic drug benefit when non-generic is utilized. Medicare Advantage Plan details will be communicated by United Healthcare. Please be on the lookout for the 2019 United Healthcare Medicare Plan guide. $6,000 per person $8,000 (for retirees under age 65) $15,000 per person * the stated percentage of coverage if care is received from a UHC network provider who has agreed to a negotiated rate; or 100% to 110% of the Medicare reimbursement rate (MNRP) if care is received from a non-network provider. ** Network and non-network annual s and coinsurance out-of-pocket maximums are applied separately. Deductibles and copays apply to the out-of-pocket maximums. *** Mail order prescriptions are available in a 90-day supply except Specialty Drugs, which are only available in a 30-day supply. Note: Bariatric surgery (including gastric bypass and obesity surgery) is limited to one per lifetime as an 80/20 PPO Network benefit only. An additional $2,200 co-pay and appropriate coinsurance applies. 5

6 How the Dental Options Compare* Dental Plan Option Choosing a Primary Care Dentist Non Network Benefits Filing of Claims Accessing Specialty Care Emergency Care Deductibles Coinsurance or Co pays for Services Maximum Annual Benefit Orthodontic Coverage Dental Maintenance Organization (DMO) Choose a DMO network dentist. See DocFind list on aetna.com. (Not available in all areas.) No benefits, except for limited emergency benefit. No paperwork to file. Your dentist will submit any claims. Referral from Primary dentist required to access network specialist. Call primary care dentist, or if out of area, Aetna member services at Network: None Non Network: No benefits No co pay for office visits. Preventive: 100% coverage Basic and Major: Co pays vary according to service provided. No limit Maximum co pay is $2,000. Coverage available for adults and covered dependents. Dental PPO (with orthodontia) May choose any dentist. However, Aetna PPO providers waive s, stay within recognized charge limits and offer discounted care. Plan offers non network benefits subject to s recognized charge limits. You or your dentist will submit claims May choose any dentist. However, Aetna PPO providers waive s, stay within recognized charge limits and offer discounted care. May choose any dentist. However, Aetna PPO providers waive s, stay within recognized charge limits and offer discounted care. Network: None Non Network: $50 per person for Basic & Major Restorative Services No co pay for office visits. Preventive: 100% coverage Basic Restorative: 80% coverage Major Restorative: 60% coverage $1,800 per person 50% to a maximum of $1,600 per child (lifetime max). Dependent children under age 19 only. *Former NorAm retirees and dependent survivors of retirees are not eligible for CNP s dental benefit options. To Locate a Network Dental Provider You may choose any dentist with the PPO plan. There is no if you choose network dental providers who generally charge patients about 25 percent less for covered services. Non network care is subject to a $50 for restorative care and benefits are subject to recognized charge limits. Do I need to designate a dentist? Under each of the dental plan options, family members can choose different dentists. With the PPO plan, you do not need to specify your dentist to receive coverage. You only have to designate a dentist at enrollment if you are signing up for the DMO plan. DMO Enrollment Tip: Know the Six-Digit Code When you enroll in the DMO plan, you will need to designate a primary care dentist and know the six-digit provider ID code. You can locate participating DMO dentists and their provider ID number on Aetna s website at aetna.com/docfind. Family members can choose a different DMO dentist after enrollment by calling Aetna or making the change online at Aetna s website, as long as that dentist is in the DMO network. If you change DMO dentists by the 15th of any month, the change will be effective on the 1st of the following month. Vision Service Plan (VSP) Benefit Summary* BENEFIT NETWORK COVERAGE NON NETWORK COVERAGE Comprehensive Vision Exam (once every calendar year) 100% covered after $10 co-pay. Reimbursement up to $45 after $10 co-pay is applied. Prescription Glasses (once every calendar year) Contact Lenses (once every calendar year) Laser Eye Surgery $25 materials co-pay, which is a single payment that is applied to the entire purchase, not the lens and frame individually. Lenses: 100% covered after materials co-pay. Patient options not covered by the plan, such as some progressive lenses, photochromic lenses, UV protection and antireflective coatings, may be purchased through the plan at a 20-25% discount. Standard progressive lenses are now covered at a $0 copay. Frames: $180 retail frame allowance, and 20% off any out-of-pocket costs. Contact lenses may be selected in lieu of prescription glasses. Elective: When you choose contacts instead of glasses, your $180 contact lens allowance applies to the cost of your contacts and the contact lens exam (fitting and evaluation). This exam, which is discounted 15%, is in addition to your vision exam to ensure the proper fit of contacts. If you choose contact lenses, you will be eligible for prescription glasses during the next calendar year. Medically Necessary: Medically necessary contacts prescribed for certain conditions are 100% covered after $25 co-pay. VSP doctor must receive approval from VSP prior to dispensing. VSP participants receive PRK, LASIK and Custom LASIK at a discounted fee. Discounts vary by location, but will average 15% off of the contracted laser center s usual and customary price. Additionally, if the participating laser center is offering a temporary price reduction, VSP members will receive 5% off the promotional price. Lenses: Reimbursement after co-pay is applied: Single vision up to $30 Lined Trifocal up to $65 Lined Bifocal up to $50 Frames: Reimbursement up to $70 after co-pay is applied. Reimbursement up to $105 for elective contact lenses and contact lens exam. Reimbursement up to $210 for medically necessary contact lenses and contact lens exam. Not covered To locate a VSP Doctor, visit the VSP Web site at centerpointenergy.vspforme.com/ or call *Former NorAm retirees and dependent survivors of retirees are not eligible for CNP s vision benefit options. 6

7 Important Notices Identification Cards Participant identification cards are not always sent annually from each provider. Review the information below to determine which providers send cards: UHC: New cards are sent if changes are made during enrollment. Medicare participants will receive a member ID card for the Medicare Advantage plan. Caremark (For Retirees Under Age 65): New cards are sent if changes are made during annual enrollment. Optum Pharmacy: Medicare-eligible retirees and/or dependents who are enrolled in the Medicare Advantage plan will receive a UHC member ID card. Please use the UHC ID card for all medical and pharmacy benefits. Aetna Dental: Cards are sent to new participants or if a participant has changed their dentist under the Dental DMO plan. New cards are also sent if a participant adds a dependent to coverage. VSP Vision Plan: Cards are not issued. Deadlines for 2018 Claims: UHC: One year from the date of service. Aetna Dental (for non-network claims): One year from the date of service. VSP Vision Plan (for non-network claims): Claims must be filed within 180 days from the date of service. Provider Directories An up-to-date medical provider directory is available on the UHC website at To locate a UHC network provider and benefit from negotiated discounts, login using your user ID and password (you may need to register) then click on Find a Physician for in network providers for your specific plan. For dental and vision plan providers, you can also find the most current directories listed online. You may also call their toll-free numbers, which are listed on the back cover. Life Events: You Have 30 Days for Benefit Changes The benefits you select and any dependents you cover during annual enrollment will remain in effect from January 1 through December 31, 2018, unless you experience a qualified life event such as divorce, a death in your family or a change in job status for you or your spouse. Eligible dependents must have been eligible for coverage on the date you retired in order to add them to your coverage. You have 30 days after a qualified life event to adjust your benefit coverage by calling the Benefits Service Center. Legal Notices Newborns and Mothers Health Protection Act Health insurance issuers and group health plans (such as the CenterPoint Energy Retiree Medical Plan) generally may not, under Federal law, restrict benefits for any hospital length of stay in connection with childbirth for the mother or newborn child to less than 48 hours following a vaginal delivery, or less than 96 hours following a Caesarean section. However, Federal law generally does not prohibit the mother s or newborn s attending provider, after consultation with the mother, from discharging the mother or the newborn earlier than 48 hours (or 96 hours, as applicable). In any case, plans and issuers may not, under Federal law, require that a provider obtain authorization from the plan or the issuer for prescribing a length of stay which is less than 48 hours (or 96 hours, as applicable). Longer hospital stays must still be pre certified, however, and all other Plan provisions will continue to apply. Privacy Notice Reminder This reminder applies to the non-insured portions of the CenterPoint Energy Medical Plan; the CenterPoint Energy Dental Plan; the CenterPoint Energy Retiree Medical and Dental Plans; and the CenterPoint Energy Health Care Expense Plan (further identified as Plan ). Participants previously received a Notice of Privacy Practices relating to the Plan, and at least once every three years, the Plan is required by law to remind participants that a copy of the Plan-related notices can be requested. To request a copy of the privacy notice, you must make your request in writing and mail it via U.S. Postal Service to the HIPAA privacy officer at the following address: HIPAA Privacy Officer CenterPoint Energy, Inc. P.O. Box 4567 Houston, TX For more information regarding this reminder or your privacy rights under HIPAA, call the Plan s privacy officer through the Benefits Service Center at or You must identify both yourself and the CenterPoint Energy Plan in which you participate to receive a response. Please note, however, that the majority of medical information resides with CenterPoint Energy s business vendors who provide services to the plans listed above. To access this information, you must contact the vendor directly at the address or phone number listed on your member identification card. Summary Plan Description This guide is a Summary of Material Modifications for the CenterPoint Energy Welfare Benefits Plan for Retirees and supplements the Summary Plan Description. The Summary Plan Description is available at CNPBenefits.com. You may also request a paper copy by contacting the Benefit Service Center at or

8 Your Prescription Drug Coverage and Medicare Part D This notice is intended for CenterPoint Energy Medical Plan and Retiree Medical Plan participants and covered dependents who are enrolled in Medicare and eligible for Medicare Part D. Please read this notice carefully and keep it where you can find it. This notice has information about your current prescription drug coverage with the medical plan options offered under the CenterPoint Energy Medical Plan or the CenterPoint Energy Retiree Medical Plan (each referred to in this notice as the CenterPoint Plan, or the Plan ) and the prescription drug coverage offered by Medicare Part D. This information can help you decide whether or not you want to join a Medicare prescription drug plan. It also tells you where to find more information to help you make decisions about your prescription drug coverage. All Medicare Part D plans (e.g., Medicare prescription drug plans, Medicare Advantage plans) will provide at least a standard level of coverage set by Medicare. Some plans might also offer more coverage for a higher monthly premium. Because your existing prescription drug coverage under the CenterPoint Plan is creditable coverage (i.e., on average for all individuals covered by the Plan, it is expected to pay as much as standard Medicare Part D coverage), you can keep your current coverage under the Plan and not pay higher Medicare premiums if you later decide to enroll in Medicare Part D. You may join a Medicare Part D plan when you first become eligible for Medicare and each year from October 15 to December 7. You will also be eligible to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan during a 2-month special enrollment period if you lose your current creditable prescription drug coverage through no fault of your own. If you are covered under the Plan as an active employee or a dependent of an active employee, your current coverage under the Plan generally will not be affected if you decide to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan. However, if you decide to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan and drop plan coverage, you will generally only be able to re-enroll at the next annual enrollment period. If you are covered under the Plan as a retiree or a dependent of a retiree, you will become ineligible for retiree coverage under the Plan if you decide to enroll in a Medicare Part D plan, and you will be dropped from your current coverage under the Plan. Be aware that you will not be able to reinstate Plan coverage at any time in the future. In addition, the Plan covers other health expenses in addition to prescriptions. You should compare your current coverage, including which drugs are covered and the other medical benefits offered, with the coverage and cost of Medicare Part D plans in your area. You should also know that if you drop or lose your coverage under the CenterPoint Plan and then don t enroll for Medicare Part D, you may have to pay a higher premium to enroll later. If you go 63 continuous days or longer without creditable prescription drug coverage, your monthly Medicare Part D premium may go up at least 1% of the Medicare based beneficiary premium per month for every month that you did not have creditable coverage. For example, if you go nineteen months without coverage, your Medicare Part D premium may consistently be at least 19% higher than the Medicare base beneficiary premium. In addition, you may have to wait until the next October to enroll in Medicare Part D. Contact the Benefits Service Center for further information. NOTE: You may receive this notice annually and at other times in the future, such as before the next period you can enroll in Medicare Part D coverage, or if this coverage changes. You also may request a copy at any time. For more information on your current prescription drug coverage, contact CenterPoint Energy s Benefits Service Center at or For more information about your options under Medicare prescription drug coverage: More detailed information about Medicare plans that offer prescription drug coverage is available in the Medicare & You handbook. You ll get a copy of the handbook in the mail from Medicare annually. You may also be contacted directly by Medicare prescription drug plans. You can also get more information about Medicare prescription drug plans from these places: Visit medicare.gov Call your State Health Insurance Assistance Program (see your copy of the Medicare & You handbook for their telephone number) for personalized help Call MEDICARE ( ). TTY users should call For people with limited income and resources, extra help paying for a Medicare prescription drug plan may be available. For more information about this extra help, visit the Social Security Administration at socialsecurity.gov, or call (TTY ). Remember: Keep this notice. If you enroll in a Medicare Part D plan, you may need to give a copy of this notice when you join to show that you are not required to pay a higher premium amount. Contact the Benefits Service Center for further information. CenterPoint Energy, Inc. CenterPoint Energy Benefits Service Center P.O. Box 3130 Bellaire, TX Phone: or

9 Your 2019 Benefit Providers Aetna Dental aetnanavigator.com CVS/Caremark Prescription Services (Pre 65) caremark.com Retirement Plan Savings Plan CNPsavings.voya.com UnitedHealthcare (UHC) (Pre 65) myuhc.com UHC Medicare Advantage UHCRetiree.com/centerpoint 24-hour Nurse Line Optum Nurseline: (Health Information Library PIN #671) Vision Service Plan (VSP) centerpointenergy.vspforme.com/ How to Reach the Benefits Service Center The CenterPoint Energy Benefits Service Center is available from 7:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. CST Monday through Friday, except holidays. Benefits Service Center representatives provide assistance with general information about your health benefits, eligibility issues, life events (for example: marriage, divorce, etc.) and address changes. The Benefits Service Center should be notified of the death of an employee or retiree. Call the Benefits Service Center: Write to us at: For Houston-based participants: For those outside of Houston: CenterPoint Energy Benefits Service Center P.O. Box 3130 Bellaire, Texas This booklet provides a guide to enrolling in CenterPoint Energy retiree benefits and summarizes your benefit choices for It does not take the place of the legal documents that govern the plans. If there is a conflict between this booklet, the Summary Plan Description or any other summary material and the plan documents, the plan documents always govern. CenterPoint Energy reserves the right to amend, modify or terminate any of the plans or benefit service providers in whole or part, at any time and without prior notice. Current participation in a plan does not guarantee future eligibility for the plan or any other benefit program. Participation in this plan is not an offer or guarantee of employment. CenterPoint Energy Human Resources October