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2027 Open Enrollment Deadline: December 7, 2026

2027 Health and Prescription Plan

�Ա���Ƶ participants will remain enrolled in the Excellus Group Medicare Advantage Blue PPO Copay Plan (Excellus remains the medical and prescription administrator).

• In-network medical: $0 deductible, $20 copays for the majority of services, $500 inpatient hospital copay, $2,500 annual out-of-pocket maximum.
• Out-of-network medical: $500 annual deductible, $25 copays for the majority of services, $8,000 maximum combined in-network and out-of-network covered Part A and Part B services.

2027 Excellus Group Medicare Advantage Blue PPO Copay Plan Summary

2027 Advantage Plan Enhancements

• Fitness benefit: $150 annual allowance for an out-of-network provider.
• Hearing aids (use a TruHearing in-network provider): 
  • Advanced and Premium Aids remain unchanged
  • Standard Aid: $299 in-network copayment
  • $75 allowance for out-of-network providers
• Routine hearing exam: $0 in-network copayment (TruHearing provider), $75 allowance for out-of-network providers
• Prior authorizations: In-network prior authorization is no longer required for partial hospitalizations, intensive outpatient program services, home health, and outpatient X-Rays.
• Skilled nursing (Days 21-100): $21 copayment per day (in-network)

Monthly Plan Premium

Please refer to the Memo emailed to you or your open enrollment packet mailed to your home address. Premiums are listed in "Blue" on the �Ա���Ƶ Retiree Benefits Open Enrollment memo.

Claims Processing & Finding Providers

• Insurance ID cards: Excellus administers Parts A, B, and D. Present only your Excellus Group Medicare Advantage Blue PPO Copay Plan card (beginning in VYM) for all medical, hospital, and pharmacy services.
• Claims submission: Participating local providers submit claims directly to Excellus. For providers outside the local area, submit claims to the local BCBS “Host” plan (e.g., Anthem), which coordinates with your “Home” plan (Excellus).
• Find in-network providers: Call 1-800-810-BLUE (2583) or visit the Blue National Doctor and Hospital Finder at .

Prescription Drug Coverage

Prescription drug coverage continues through Excellus with a $0 Part D deductible. Copays cover pharmacy medications, including many recommended vaccines: Tier 1 (Generic): $10 | Tier 2 (Preferred Brand): $45 | Tier 3 (Non-Preferred Drug): $90.

• Catastrophic coverage: Once the $2,400 annual out-of-pocket threshold (an increase from $2,100 in 2026), members enter the Catastrophic Coverage with $0 cost-sharing for covered Part D drugs for the remainder of the plan year.
• Formulary notice: Excellus has updated its 2027 Formulary Drug List. Members impacted will receive written notification by mail. ; select the Three-Tier Formulary with Prior Authorization and Step Therapy.
• Home Delivery Options: For 90-day supplies of maintenance medications:
  • or call 1-800-856-6910
  • or call 1-855-315-5220

Medical Coverage & Plan Options for Spouses/Partners

Open Enrollment is an ideal time to evaluate whether keeping a Medicare-eligible spouse or partner on �Ա���Ƶ’s plan remains the best financial choice. Enrollment is optional, and alternative Medicare Supplement (Medigap) or Medicare Advantage plans may offer lower costs or more suitable coverage.

• Enrollment window: Medicare Open Enrollment runs through December 7. You can explore and enroll in outside plans at or through a licensed agent.
• Annual re-enrollment right: Should a spouse or partner be removed from �Ա���Ƶ coverage, they remain eligible to re-enroll during any future annual Open Enrollment period.

Dental Insurance (Delta Dental)

For 2027, there are no changes to plan design, coverage, or rates. Delta Dental continues to provide coverage, including reimbursement options for non-participating dentists. Please refer to your open enrollment packet mailed to your home address or the memo emailed to you. Premiums can be found in "Blue" on the �Ա���Ƶ Retiree Benefits Open Enrollment memo.

Vision Insurance 

For 2027, there are no changes to plan design or coverage through the Excellus Group Medicare Advantage Blue PPO Copay plan. 

Please refer to your open enrollment packet mailed to your home address or emailed to you for options through VSP. 

Open Enrollment Assistance & Key Contacts

Retirees are strongly encouraged to review their prescription medications, physicians, specialists, hospitals, and pharmacies to verify 2027 network participation. Contact the resources listed below for personalized assistance:

• �Ա���Ƶ Human Resources: Email benefits@colgate.edu or call 315-228-7565 to submit plan changes or ask questions.
• Alera Care Team (Provider & Network Review): Call 1-800-836-0026, Option 2 for assistance verifying 2027 drug and provider networks.
• Gail Manfredo (Alera Group Benefit Consultant): Available on multiple dates (listed below) in the HR office for consultations to compare alternative options.

Important Dates

Group Information Sessions:

• October 27, 2026, at 11 a.m.- Seven Oaks Golf Club, second floor
• November 3, 2026, at 2 p.m.- Seven Oaks Golf Club, second floor
• November 10, 2026, at 10 a.m. -
• November 17, 2026, at 1 p.m.-

Personal consultations:

• Thursday, October 22, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
• Tuesday, October 27, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. - 10:45 a.m. and 2:15 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.
• Thursday, October 29, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. - 4:15 p.m.
• Tuesday, November 3, 2026, from 9:00 a.m. - 12:45 p.m

Call 315-228-7565 or email benefits@colgate.edu to make an appointment for a personal consultation.

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 �Ա���Ƶ retiree health insurance plan. 

Retirees over 65 years old and/or Medicare-eligible are enrolled in an Excellus Group Medicare Advantage Blue PPO Copay Plan. For assistance, visit the Excellus Group Advantage Plan website or call 1-877-883-9577.

Excellus Group Medicare Advantage Blue PPO Copay Plan

While the plan will continue to be administered by Excellus, the Excellus Group Medicare Advantage Blue PPO Copay 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.

Evidence of Coverage

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 Blue PPO Copay Plan, Excellus administers all Medicare benefits, including Parts A, B, and D.
  • With Group Medicare Advantage plans, your Medicare premiums are collected by Medicare and directed to the insurer, Excellus, to help cover the cost of services paid by the plan.
• Members present only their Excellus Group Medicare Advantage Blue PPO Copay Plan Card for medical, hospital, and prescription services.
• The 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 Excellus Group Medicare Advantage Blue PPO Copay 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 to use the Excellus Find a Doctor tool or visit 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 . 

Prescription Drugs

Prescription drug coverage is available through the Excellus Group Medicare Advantage Blue PPO Copay Plan.

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 are 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 are not a covered prescription drug

Mail Order Service

Mail order service is available through or .

Diabetic Information

Available to retirees over age 65 and on the Excellus Group Medicare Advantage Blue PPO Copay Plan.
Glucometers or blood glucose monitors
Group Medicare Advantage members have access to glucometers for a $0 copay for the preferred Abbott brand. 
Visit 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 Medicare Advantage Blue PPO Copay 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.

or call 1-855-205-5519 to schedule an appointment.

Vision care is available through the Excellus Group Medicare Advantage Blue PPO Copay Plan or the VSP plan.

Excellus Group Medicare Advantage Blue PPO Copay Plan

• 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 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

Dental

Dental coverage is voluntary for any retiree, regardless of age and Medicare eligibility, through Delta Dental.

2026 Monthly Premiums

• Single: $40.08 
• Retiree and spouse: $84.14
• Retiree and child(ren): $80.20
• Retiree and family: $103.66

Deductible

• $25 per person/ $50 per family each calendar year
• Maximums: $1,500 per person each calendar year
• Waiting Period: None

Benefits and Covered Services*

• Diagnostic and preventive services (D&P): 100% Delta Dental PPO dentists, 100% non-Delta Dental PPO dentists
  Exams, cleanings, x-rays, and sealants
• Basic services: 80% Delta Dental PPO dentists, 80% non-Delta Dental PPO dentists
  Fillings and posterior composites
• Endodontics (root canals): 80% Delta Dental PPO dentists, 80% non-Delta Dental PPO dentists
  Covered Under Basic Services
• Periodontics (gum treatment): 80% Delta Dental PPO dentists, 80% non-Delta Dental PPO dentists
  Covered Under Basic Services
• Oral surgery: 80% Delta Dental PPO dentists, 80% non-Delta Dental PPO dentists
  Covered Under Basic Services
• Major services: 50% Delta Dental PPO dentists, 50% non-Delta Dental PPO dentists
  Crowns, inlays, onlays, and cast restorations
• Prosthodontics: 50% Delta Dental PPO dentists, 50% non-Delta Dental PPO dentists
  Bridges, dentures, and implants
• Orthodontic benefits: 0% Delta Dental PPO dentists, 0% non-Delta Dental PPO dentists

Please note: 

• Limitations or waiting periods may apply for some benefits; some services may be excluded from your plan. Reimbursement is based on Delta Dental's maximum contract allowances, not necessarily on each dentist’s submitted fees.
• Reimbursement is based on PPO contracted fees for PPO dentists, Premier contracted fees for Premier dentists, and program allowance for non-Delta Dental dentists.

Delta Dental Contact Information

Delta Dental of New York, One Delta Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Customer Service: 1-800-932-0783
Claims Address: PO Box 2105, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6999

Paying Your �Ա���Ƶ Invoice

We send invoices each quarter in January, April, July, and October to the retiree's home address. 

Contact the accounting office at 315-228-7496 to pay via credit card.
Mail payment to �Ա���Ƶ Accounting Office, 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, NY 13346

Health Insurance

Coinsurance Plan

Office visit cost shares

• In-network: 20% coinsurance
• 2026 maximum out of pocket for Medical: single $2,500; family $5,000
• Out-of-Network: 30% coinsurance after deductible
• 2026 Single Deductible: $750
• 2026 Family Deductible: $2,250

Prescription Drugs

Prescription drug coverage is available through .

Cost

• Tier 1: $10
• Tier 2: $40
• Tier 3: $60
• Tier 4: $75 (specialty and GLP-1 for weight loss)
• 2026 Maximum out-of-pocket for pharmacy: In-network single $2,000, family $4,000
• Out-of-Network single $2,500, family $5,600

Vision

Vision benefits are available through VSP. 

VSP Benefits

Retirees have the option to enroll in a VSP plan and pay VSP directly for their coverage. Visit the 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.

Dental

Dental coverage is voluntary for any retiree, regardless of age and Medicare eligibility, through Delta Dental.

2026 Monthly Premiums

• Single: $40.08 
• Retiree and spouse: $84.14
• Retiree and child(ren): $80.20
• Retiree and family: $103.66

Deductible

• $25 per person/ $50 per family each calendar year
• Maximums: $1,500 per person each calendar year
• Waiting Period: None

Benefits and Covered Services*

• Diagnostic and preventive services (D&P): 100% Delta Dental PPO dentists, 100% non-Delta Dental PPO dentists
  Exams, cleanings, x-rays, and sealants
• Basic services: 80% Delta Dental PPO dentists, 80% non-Delta Dental PPO dentists
  Fillings and posterior composites
• Endodontics (root canals): 80% Delta Dental PPO dentists, 80% non-Delta Dental PPO dentists
  Covered Under Basic Services
• Periodontics (gum treatment): 80% Delta Dental PPO dentists, 80% non-Delta Dental PPO dentists
  Covered Under Basic Services
• Oral surgery: 80% Delta Dental PPO dentists, 80% non-Delta Dental PPO dentists
  Covered Under Basic Services
• Major services: 50% Delta Dental PPO dentists, 50% non-Delta Dental PPO dentists
  Crowns, inlays, onlays, and cast restorations
• Prosthodontics: 50% Delta Dental PPO dentists, 50% non-Delta Dental PPO dentists
  Bridges, dentures, and implants
• Orthodontic benefits: 0% Delta Dental PPO dentists, 0% non-Delta Dental PPO dentists

Please note: 

• Limitations or waiting periods may apply for some benefits; some services may be excluded from your plan. Reimbursement is based on Delta Dental's maximum contract allowances, not necessarily on each dentist’s submitted fees.
• Reimbursement is based on PPO contracted fees for PPO dentists, Premier contracted fees for Premier dentists, and program allowance for non-Delta Dental dentists.

Delta Dental Contact Information

Delta Dental of New York, One Delta Drive, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055
Customer Service: 1-800-932-0783
Claims Address: PO Box 2105, Mechanicsburg, PA 17055-6999

Paying Your �Ա���Ƶ Invoice

We send invoices each quarter in January, April, July, and October to the retiree's home address. 

Contact the accounting office at 315-228-7496 to pay via credit card.
Mail payment to �Ա���Ƶ Accounting Office, 13 Oak Drive, Hamilton, NY 13346