Board of Pensions Will Switch Retiree Medical Carriers
Philadelphia retirees will transition to new Medicare Advantage and prescription drug plans starting in 2027.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Retirement Planning
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The Board of Pensions announced it will shift its Post-Retirement Medical Plan to new providers beginning January 1, 2027. Retirees will move from Humana to UnitedHealthcare for medical coverage and Express Scripts for prescription drugs.
Why it matters
This transition changes the provider network and coverage administration for retirees, requiring households to review their current medical and pharmaceutical needs before the new plans take effect. Because these changes impact coverage access, retirees must evaluate if the new plans align with their existing healthcare providers and prescriptions.
The Board of Pensions is shifting its entire retiree medical population to new carriers effective January 1, 2027. Members seeking plan details can contact Benistar Admin Services at 800-236-4782, with support available from 8:30 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The players
Board of Pensions
An administrative body that manages medical benefit plans and retiree coverage.
Benistar Admin Services
A service provider offering guidance and plan support to retirees.
UnitedHealthcare
A health insurance provider managing Medicare Advantage plans.
Express Scripts
A pharmacy benefit manager providing prescription drug coverage.
Humana
A health insurance carrier providing Medicare plans for retirees.
The details
The Board of Pensions is replacing Humana with UnitedHealthcare Group Medicare Advantage and Express Scripts for prescription drugs. During the upcoming Medicare Open Enrollment period, members have the option to opt out of the new plan or transition to a Medigap plan without undergoing medical underwriting. To assist with this transition, the board has partnered with Benistar Admin Services to provide plan guidance at no cost to members.
Timeline
September 24, 2026: The board hosts its first informational webinar session.
October 15, 2026: Medicare Open Enrollment begins.
November 2026: Retiree luncheons conclude.
December 31, 2026: Enrollment in the current Humana plan ends.
January 1, 2027: New coverage under UnitedHealthcare and Express Scripts takes effect.
Money Landscape
This transition aligns with the annual Medicare Open Enrollment cycle, which serves as the standard period for changes to health coverage. By shifting carriers, the organization enters a cycle of re-evaluation for its retirees similar to common private sector benefit updates.
Retirees must compare their current medical and pharmaceutical needs against the new UnitedHealthcare and Express Scripts networks. Households should review their options by December 31, 2026, and may want to discuss Medigap transition eligibility with a professional.
The takeaway
This carrier transition requires retirees to actively assess their coverage needs before the January 1, 2027, start date. Retirees should track the upcoming Medicare Open Enrollment window and consider consulting with a financial professional to evaluate the implications of moving to a Medigap plan.
What happens next
Members should attend the informational webinars scheduled for September 24, September 29, and October 1, 2026.
Further reading
Find more guidance on navigating your benefit changes in the Retirement Planning section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PC(USA).
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