Below is the criteria for coverage in the AHCP, which provides medical benefits upon retirement to employees and their dependents for the retiree's lifetime.
Eligibility Criteria
| Current Hire Date | Retirement Age | Years of Service | Type of Service |
| Prior to July 1, 1997 |
Superannuation | 15 | Credited Service |
| Any Age | 25 | ||
| Any Age with Approved Disability Retirement | 5 | ||
| July 1, 1997 - June 30, 2004 |
Superannuation | 15 | Commonwealth/State System Service |
| Any Age | 25 | ||
| Any Age with Approved Disability Retirement | 5 | ||
| July 1, 2004 - January 15, 2016 |
Superannuation | 20 | Commonwealth/State System Service |
| Any Age | 25 | ||
| Any Age with Approved Disability Retirement | 5 | ||
| On/After January 16, 2016 | No retiree health coverage available | ||
Credited service - includes years of service credited by retirement plan (SERS, PSERS or ARP). May include purchased service.
Commonwealth/State System service - does not include employment with a public school (pre-K, K-12).
Enrollment and Forms
Enroll or delay -
Complete and return the enrollment/change form to your university benefits office or if you are eligible but wish to delay your
enrollment, complete and return the delayed enrollment form to your university benefits office.
Payment Form -
Employees enrolled in PSERS or ARP retirement plans, will need to complete and submit
a direct payment form to authorize a monthly debit for premiums. Employees enrolled in SERS will automatically
have their premiums deducted from their monthly pension check.
Child Dependents -
Any dependent children between the ages of 19 and 25 must have a student certification form completed.
Age 65 or Older -
Submit a copy of your Medicare card(s) with your AHCP enrollment form
Upon confirmation of your monthly lifetime annuity, your AHCP coverage will be effective
the day after your final day of employment. If you delayed enrollment, your coverage
will be effective upon loss of coverage or during an open enrollment period, pending
confirmation of monthly lifetime annuity. Highmark ID card(s) will be received after
your enrollment into AHCP. You can log on to the Highmark website at www.highmarkblueshield.com to print a temporary ID card.
- How to Print a Temporary ID Card
For any changes or questions regarding your AHCP coverage after your retirement, go
to www.passhe.edu/ahcp or contact the retiree benefits office at RetireeBenefitHelp@passhe.edu.
Rate and Booklet Information
OPEIU, POA, and SPFPA retiring who are enrolled in the active Highmark PPO:
Retirement Date - 07/01/25 – 06/30/26
Single - $171.86
Two-Party - $381.01
Family - $466.94
Medicare Information
If Medicare eligible when you retire and you are enrolling in the AHCP, contact Social
Security to make sure you are enrolled in Medicare Parts A & B effective the first
of the month in which you will retire.
Social Security - www.ssa.gov 800.722.1213
Medicare - www.medicare.gov 800.633.4227
Medicare will pay primary and ACHP will pay secondary on claims. For more details
on benefits and coverage, view the Medicare benefits summary.
All Medicare-eligible retirees/dependents residing in the United States are enrolled into the customized Highmark Blue Shield Freedom Blue PPO Medicare Advantage Plan. Enrollment is contingent upon the retiree/dependent enrolling in Medicare Part A and Medicare Part B. This private Medicare plan bundles all the coverage provided with Medicare Part A (facilities), Medicare Part B (providers) and Medicare Part D (prescription drug) into a single Medicare Advantage Plan (also known as Medicare Part C).
Once enrolled, retirees/dependents will only be required to present their Freedom Blue PPO ID card for all your services and keep your original Medicare ID card at home. For more details visit www.passhe.edu/ahcp under the “Medicare Eligible” section.