Page 2 of 2 Rev. 2-26-19
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS
GROUP INSURANCE COMMISSION
Health Insurance Buy-Out
Under the terms of the Buy-Out program, eligible state employees and retirees who are enrolling as of
January 1, 2020, in another employer-sponsored plan that meets minimum essential coverage under
the Affordable Care Act (ACA) may cancel their Group Insurance Commission (GIC) health coverage
and receive 12 taxable monthly payments equal to 25% of the full-cost premium based upon:
• your current health plan; and
• type of coverage (individual or family) as of December 31, 2019
Municipal members are not eligible for buy-out. To qualify for this plan, you must meet ALL of the
following requirements:
• you were covered by a Group Insurance Commission Health Plan on July 1, 2019, and you will
continue that GIC health plan coverage through December 31, 2019; you are enrolling in
another employer-sponsored plan as of January 1, 2020, that meets minimum essential
coverage under the ACA.
• you are a state employee or retiree; and
• you must continue to maintain basic life insurance.
You may not cancel your election to participate in this plan until an annual enrollment period, or
unless one of the following occurs:
• the involuntary loss of your other health insurance coverage through no fault of your own; or
• there is a qualifying status change such as marriage, divorce, birth or adoption of a child, or
end of spouse’s employment.
If you elect to participate in the buy-out and one of the above events occurs you will be able to re-
enroll and resume your health insurance through the Group Insurance Commission as long as you
provide documentation within 60 days of the qualifying event.
To participate in this plan you must complete the form on the other side of this page and return it to
the Group Insurance Commission. Employees in HR/CMS and UMass Agencies will receive their
remittance on a monthly basis in their paycheck with “Reimburse” listed on the pay advice. Retirees
and employees of Housing and Redevelopment Authorities will receive a check monthly. If your
application is approved, you will receive your first payment in February.
The effective date of this buyout is January 1, 2020. Do not give this form to your GIC
Coordinator. It is your responsibility to be sure the completed form is received by the Group
Insurance Commission NO LATER THAN November 1, 2019.
Group Insurance Commission, P.O. Box 8747, Boston, MA 02114
*If you are enrolled in the UniCare State Indemnity Plan/Basic with CIC benefits, the payment will not include the
cost of CIC, as CIC is a member-pay-all benefit.