General FAQs

How are the deductibles and out of pocket allowances applied to my retiree medical plan?

The deductible is the amount a eligible person pays each year before the comprehensive medical plan pays any portion of a claim. The out of pocket maximum is the maximum amount any person need pay in covered comprehensive medical expenses each year. Once the out of pocket maximum is reached, the plan pays 100% of covered expenses for the rest of the calendar year.

When will the medical ID cards/prescription drug cards be mailed? What if I don’t receive mine and I have to go to the hospital?

Your insurance will be effective the first of the month of your retirement. If you don’t receive your new cards and need care, you can have the hospital, doctor, or pharmacy call the insurance company for verification of coverage.

Why is my premium more than Joe’s? He retired from another division of Honeywell.

Premiums are based on many variables, i.e., age, years of service, whether you were an hourly or salaried employee, location of plant, and the year in which you retire. Therefore, your coverage and the composition of the group covered by your plan may be different than Joe’s.

If I defer my medical at this time, can I enroll in the future?

When I or my dependent become Medicare eligible or turn age 65, what changes?

You must enroll in Medicare Parts A and B, as this will become your primary coverage. Further information will be mailed to you approximately three months before your 65th birthday.

I want to enroll in a Honeywell-sponsored Medicare HMO. What do I do?

If you’re eligible to enroll in a Medicare HMO, you must contact the Honeywell Retirement Service Center at 1-800-526-0744 directly and request a Honeywell group enrollment package. The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) requires that your application be received by the HMO no later than the 20th of the month before coverage begins. For example, if you want your coverage to begin January 1, 2010, the HMO must receive your enrollment form by December 20, 2009.

I’d like to cancel my Honeywell sponsored medical coverage. Can I do so over the telephone?

If I or my dependent do not sign up for Medicare Part B, does the insurance company cover those types of expenses?

I’m under age 65 and I retired early. Will the “Under Age 65” premium rate always apply to me as long as I’m covered?

No. Your contributions can change each new plan year (May, August or January, depending on your plan), or if you change plans.

I’m over 65 and my spouse is under 65. How does this affect our benefits?

Medicare will pay first on your claims. Because your spouse is not Medicare eligible, his or her claims go directly to your carrier.

Do co-payments for in-network benefits count toward my out of network deductible?

No. Your deductible is based only on out of network services you received.

Why does my medical/life insurance premium have to be deducted directly from my pension check?

It is Honeywell’s policy that, if your pension amount is sufficient, your medical premium must be deducted each month.

Who do I call if I have a question about a claim?

Contact your insurance carrier directly.

If I’m hospitalized before I attain age 65 and the hospitalization continues into my 65th birthday, which plan covers my expenses? My current coverage, or the comprehensive coverage?

For expenses related to the hospitalization, your coverage level would be determined by the plan in effect on the initial date of your hospitalization.

Will my premium contribution change when I turn 65?

You will receive information about changes in your medical coverage approximately THREE months before your 65th birthday.

I am a retiree, but have not applied for my benefits. What do I need to do?

Contact the Honeywell Retirement Service Center at 1-877-258-3699, option 5 Monday thru Friday, 9:00 am-6:00 pm EST..

I’m currently retired. What should I do if I return to work for Honeywell?

Contact the Honeywell Retiree Service Center immediately with notification of your return to work. Your retiree benefits will cease for the time you are actively employed by the Company.

When I pass away, who should be contacted and what information will need to be provided?

The Honeywell Retiree Service Center should be contacted at 1-800-526-0744. It will help if the caller has your Social Security Number available. Representatives will ask a number of questions, including basic information such as; the date of your passing, the caller’s current mailing address and phone number, and the caller’s Social Security Number and date of birth.

I have a certificate for an insurance policy that says I have $5,000 of insurance from Allied Signal. Is this valid?

Contact the Honeywell Retiree Service Center at1-800-526-0744 to arrange for a life insurance verification to be mailed to your address on file.

Our medical coverage is important to us. If I pass away, will my spouse be able to continue medical coverage through Honeywell?

The Honeywell Retiree Service Center (HRSC) can advise you on this information. You can contact the HRSC at 1-800-526-0744.

I receive part of my ex-spouse’s pension as part of a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO). He/she recently passed away and I want to know if I will continue receiving my payments.

The continuation of your pension payments depends upon the original court order submitted to Honeywell. Please contact the Honeywell Retiree Service Center at1-800-526-0744 so that we may research your particular situation.

My spouse and I are getting our affairs in order so, if something happens to one of us, our loved ones will know what to do. I can’t remember if I agreed to have my pension continue to my spouse after my death. Can you give me that information?

Yes, we will provide written confirmation of your pension amount and any survivorship options you may have elected at retirement. Please call the Honeywell Retiree Service Center at 1-800-526-0744 and request a pension verification to receive this information by mail.

I am the guardian/conservator/attorney in fact of a Honeywell Retiree. What documentation is required to make changes?

Under the Privacy Act of 1974 and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act, Honeywell is required to protect personal information. To make a change, a copy of guardianship/conservatorship or power of attorney is required. Once received, it will be reviewed by our legal department. Once it is deemed appropriate, you can make any changes you feel necessary.

Can my power of attorney or guardian access my benefit information?

Yes. If we received and approved a copy of the guardianship or power of attorney papers.

I receive a bill each month. Can I elect to have my medical/life insurance premiums drafted from my checking/savings account instead?

How do I change my Primary Care Physician (PCP)?

To change your PCP, please contact your medical insurance carrier (i.e., Cigna, United Healthcare, Blue Cross Blue Shield, etc.)

If I change my address, will it affect my benefits?

    A change in geographic location can change your plan options. To receive more information on the plans available in your new area, please visit Your Benefits Resources at http://resources.hewitt.com/honeywell/ or contact the Honeywell Retiree Service Center at 1-800-526-0744 with your new address..

Can you tell me how much life insurance I have?

Please contact the Honeywell Retiree Service Center at 1-800-526-0744 to request a life insurance verification letter. We will mail you a statement that informs you of your benefit amount and any beneficiaries we have on file.

Can I change the taxes withheld form my pension payment?

I received a W2 instead of a 1099R. Why?

Recent changes to the Internal Revenue Code require that all non-qualified pensions be reported on form W2.

Is direct deposit available for my pension?

My pension is directly deposited into my checking/savings account. Can you tell me why I did not receive an earnings statement this month?

Earnings statements are mailed out twice a year – December 1st and February 1st. This will allow you to view year to date information in December, as well as updated deductions in February. Please note that payment history, current and future payments are all available Your Benefits Resources™ Web site at http://resources.hewitt.com/honeywell, or call the Honeywell Retirement Service Center at 1-800-526-0744.

When will I receive my first pension check?

To receive you first pension check on your benefit commencement date, your properly completed forms must be received and processed by the HRSC on or before the processing cutoff date listed in your commencement paperwork.  This date is usually the first of the month prior to your commencement date.

When does Medicare coverage begin?

If you apply for Social Security benefits, you automatically apply for Medicare coverage.  Medicare coverage is effective the first day of the month in which you turn age 65 (unless your birthday is the first day of the month, in which case, Medicare coverage is effective the first day of the previous month). 

Honeywell has designed its retiree medical benefits to work together with Medicare to provide you the coverage you need.  If you or a dependent is Medicare eligible due to age or disability, enrollment in Medicare Parts A & B is necessary to receive maximum benefits once you retire.  Declining Medicare Part B coverage may result in no benefit payments under the Honeywell Retiree Medical Plan and may result in a higher Part B premium when you enroll after you are first eligible.

Is there a cost for Medicare?

The 2009 and 2010 cost for Medicare Part B is $96.40 per month, and automatically deducted from your Social Security Check.  The standard cost for Medicare Part B changes each plan year.  More information about Medicare and costs can be found at www.ssa.gov.

Once I receive my first pension check, can I change my payment election?

When you retire, your choice of pension options is very important, since it will determine the amount of your retirement payment and whether there will be retirement payments to your spouse in the event of your passing. Please note, once your benefit commencement date has passed, your elections are final and irrevocable.

Will my retiree medical premiums increase over the years?

Health care costs are expected to increase annually due to continued demand for more care, the use of newer more expensive technologies and rising prescription drug costs.This means a continued increase in health care costs for employees, retirees and companies across the country. 

The Honeywell retiree medical plan is a “Good Will Benefit” and the Company reserves the right to modify, revoke, suspend, terminate or change this plan, in whole or in part, at any time, except as limited by provisions of any applicable state or Federal law.

Can Honeywell discontinue retiree medical coverage?

The Honeywell retiree medical plan is a “Good Will Benefit” and the Company reserves the right to modify, revoke, suspend, terminate or change this plan, in whole or in part, at any time, except as limited by provisions of any applicable state or Federal law.

What is the difference between a POS, PPO and HMO?

The Point of Service (POS) plan combines the coordinated care and low out of pocket expenses of an HMO with the flexibility to receive benefits in or out of network. The plan also provides prescription drug coverage. When you enroll in a POS plan, you and any covered dependents must choose a primary care physician (PCP,) from the plan’s network of doctors, to coordinate all your in-network care and provide you with specialist referrals. However, you always have two options when you need care. 

A Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) also has in and out-of-network benefits, however, you do not need a referral to see a network specialist. The PPO plan also provides prescription drug coverage, and you and any covered dependents must choose a PCP. Because the PCP is not required to approve specialist visits, there are slightly higher out of pocket expenses in a PPO plan. Like the POS, with the PPO, you always have two options when you need care. 

A Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plan does not provide any out of network coverage, with the exception of a true emergency, as defined by the medical insurance carrier. The HMO, like the POS and PPO, require you and all covered dependents to elect a PCP. The PCP must approve all specialist referrals, as with the POS plan. HMO plans do not have a deductible – only visit co-payments. The HMO also provides prescription drug coverage.