Post-Retirement Healthcare
LACERA-Administered Retiree Healthcare Benefits Program
Choice of Medical and Dental/Vision Plans
Los Angeles County retirees can choose from a selection of LACERA-administered medical plans and dental/vision plans, including Medicare Supplement or Medicare HMO plans for Medicare-eligible retirees and dependents. Coverage is available to all retirees, regardless of pre-existing medical conditions.*
The plans cover the retiree and eligible dependents. For eligibility information, refer to the Exploring Your Healthcare Benefits Through LACERA brochure. Upon your death, your eligible surviving dependents may continue coverage by enrolling in the health plans within 30 days from the date of death; after 30 days, late enrollment rules may apply.
New retirees have 60 days from their LACERA-approved retirement date to enroll themselves, their spouse or registered domestic partner, and eligible dependents in the plan of their choice.** Late enrollment rules apply if the 60-day time limit is not met.
Under the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (COBRA), dependents who no longer meet the eligibility requirements for LACERA-administered healthcare coverage may apply for continued benefits for a maximum of 36 months. Dependents eligible for COBRA cannot be denied coverage based on their health status.
To speak with a Retiree Healthcare Benefits Specialist regarding LACERA-administered retiree healthcare benefits, call 800-786-6464 and press 1, or call 626-564-6132. You may also email us at healthcare@lacera.com.
*Certain eligibility rules apply.
**If you are an active employee and currently cover an adult disabled dependent on your health insurance, visit the Healthcare section of lacera.com for information regarding the process and requirements for continuing this coverage when you retire.
Cost of Medical and Dental Plans
The cost of LACERA-administered plans varies according to the plan selected, number of dependents covered, and your years of service credit.
The County subsidizes retiree medical/dental insurance based on the member’s years of service credit; a minimum of 10 years of service applies. For a member with 10 years of service credit (excluding reciprocal service credit), the County contributes 40 percent of the selected plan premium or 40 percent of the benchmark plan premium, whichever is less.* For each year of service credit beyond 10 years, the County contributes an additional 4 percent per year of the selected plan premium or 4 percent of the benchmark plan premium, whichever is less, up to a maximum of 100 percent for a member with 25 years of service credit.
Members (including those with 25 years of service) are required to pay the difference each month on premiums exceeding the benchmark amount.
Although retirees with less than 10 years of service credit are not eligible for the County subsidy, they are eligible for LACERA-administered retiree healthcare benefits. In such cases, these retirees are responsible for the full amount of the insurance premiums.
*Reciprocal service credit from the City of Los Angeles (LACERS) may count toward the County retiree healthcare subsidy; certain eligibility rules apply. For additional information, call 800-786-6464, and press 1 to speak with a LACERA Healthcare Benefits Specialist.