The United Airlines Benefits Center will be ready to answer retirees’ questions about 2014 medical plans and changes beginning November 4 which is the start of the annual enrollment for retirees.

To confirm, Aetna will replace Blue Cross Blue Shield as the administrator of the Traditional PPO plan for both actives and retirees as well as the Retiree Medicare and Retiree Medicare Select plans. Retirees can go today to www.aetna.com/united to see if their provider is in-network or they can call Aetna at 1-800-334-0110 and follow the prompts to speak to a representative about becoming a new Aetna member.

Retirees and their family members who are transitioning coverage to Aetna in 2014 may be eligible for “Transition of Care” benefits. Attached is the section from the upcoming preview guide regarding this important feature.

“Transition of care” benefits support those in treatment.

If you are currently being treated by a doctor who is not in the Aetna network for certain conditions, you may be eligible for “transition of care” benefits.Transition of care benefits let you continue being treated by your current non-network doctor and receive in-network benefits through June 30, 2014.

To determine if you are eligible for transition of care benefits, you need to contact Aetna at 1-800-334-0110 before January 1, 2014. If you decide to stay with your current non-network doctor when the transition period ends and you are enrolled in a plan with out-of-network coverage, your care will be covered at out-of-network benefit levels.