New Update: Healthcare Costs Increasing by Over 60% in Some States. Will you be impacted?

Medicare Open Enrollment Insights for Conagra Brands Employees: What You Need to Know About 2024 Cost Changes!

Healthcare Provider Update: Healthcare Provider for Conagra Brands: For Conagra Brands, the healthcare provider information is typically linked to their employment benefits and can vary based on the location and specific plans offered to employees. Generally, large companies like Conagra may partner with major insurers such as UnitedHealthcare, Anthem (Elevance Health), or Aetna to provide health insurance benefits to their employees. It is advisable for Enrolled members to refer to their HR department or employee benefit documentation for specific provider details. Potential Healthcare Cost Increases in 2026: As we look ahead to 2026, significant increases in healthcare costs are anticipated, largely influenced by the expiration of enhanced federal subsidies under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Reports indicate that premium rates for ACA marketplace plans could rise by over 60% in certain states due to higher medical expenses and market adjustments. Notably, a staggering 92% of policyholders may face a potential increase in their out-of-pocket premiums by more than 75%, reflecting the compounded effect of expiring subsidies and aggressive rate hikes from leading insurers. This perfect storm may lead to many consumers being priced out of essential healthcare coverage, forcing a reevaluation of their insurance options as financial pressures mount. Click here to learn more

Medicare's Open Enrollment Period — which runs from October 15 through December 7 — is your annual opportunity to switch your current Medicare health and prescription drug plans to ones that better suit your needs. Just in time for Open Enrollment, 2024 Medicare premiums, deductibles, and other costs have been announced, and surprisingly, some of these costs are lower than they were last year.

What to consider
Start by reviewing any materials your plan has sent you. Look at the coverage offered, the costs, and the network of providers, which may be different than last year. Maybe your health has changed, or you anticipate needing medical care, or new or pricier prescription drugs. If your current plan doesn't meet your health-care needs or fit your budget, you can make changes. But if you're satisfied with what you currently have, you don't need to do anything. The coverage you have will continue.

During Open Enrollment, you can:

Switch from Original Medicare to a Medicare Advantage Plan
Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan to Original Medicare
Change from one Medicare Advantage Plan to a different Medicare Advantage Plan
Change from a Medicare Advantage Plan that offers prescription drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn't offer prescription drug coverage
Switch from a Medicare Advantage Plan that doesn't offer prescription drug coverage to a Medicare Advantage Plan that does offer prescription drug coverage
Join a Medicare prescription drug plan (Part D)
Switch from one Part D plan to another Part D plan
Drop your Part D coverage altogether

Any changes made during Open Enrollment are effective as of January 1, 2024.

Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) Costs for 2024

Any changes made during Open Enrollment are effective as of January 1, 2024.

Most people with Medicare who receive Social Security benefits will pay the standard monthly Part B premium of $174.70 in 2024. This premium has increased from 2023 due to rising healthcare costs and adjustments in Part B items and services ( Grant Thornton ) ( Kiplinger.com ).

People with higher incomes may pay more than the standard premium. If your modified adjusted gross income (MAGI) as reported on your federal income tax return from two years ago (2022) is above a certain amount, you'll pay the standard premium amount and an Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount (IRMAA), which is an extra charge added to your premium, as shown in the following table ( Grant Thornton ) ( Kiplinger.com ).

You filed an individual income tax return with MAGI that was:	You filed a joint income tax return with MAGI that was:	You filed an income tax return as married filing separately with MAGI that was:	Total monthly premium in 2024 is:	*Total monthly premium in 2024 immunosuppressive drug coverage only is:
$103,000 or less	$206,000 or less	N/A	$174.70	$103.00
Above $103,000 up to $129,000	Above $206,000 up to $258,000	N/A	$244.60	$171.70
Above $129,000 up to $161,000	Above $258,000 up to $322,000	N/A	$349.40	$274.70
Above $161,000 up to $193,000	Above $193,000 and less than $500,000	N/A	$454.20	$377.70
Above $193,000 and less than $500,000	Above $386,000 and less than $750,000	Above $103,000 and less than $397,000	$559.00	$480.70
$500,000 and above	$750,000 and above	$397,000 and above	$594.00	$515.10

Additional Information

People with higher incomes may also pay a higher premium for a Medicare Part D prescription drug plan, as an IRMAA will be added to the Part D basic premium based on the same income limits in the table above. The average basic monthly premium for 2024 is projected to be about $55.50 ( Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ) ( Kiplinger.com ) ( Medicare ).

People with Medicare Part B must also satisfy an annual deductible before Original Medicare starts to pay. For 2024, this deductible is $240, up from $226 in 2023 ( Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ) ( Kiplinger.com ).

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*This premium applies to a new benefit that extends coverage for immunosuppressive drugs for people who qualify for Medicare coverage due to end-stage renal disease. Prior to 2024, Medicare coverage, including immunosuppressive drug coverage, ended 36 months after a successful kidney transplant. Beginning January 1, 2024, Medicare will offer a new benefit that will help continue to pay for immunosuppressive drugs beyond 36 months for people who don't have other health coverage. It does not cover other items or services. Rates shown apply to people who file individual or joint tax returns. Premiums for beneficiaries filing as married filing separately are different ( Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ) ( Medicare ).

Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) Costs for 2024

Part A deductible for inpatient hospitalization: $1,632 per benefit period (up from $1,600 in 2023).
Part A premium for those who need to buy coverage: Up to $514 per month (up from $506 in 2023) — most people don't pay a premium for Medicare Part A.
Part A coinsurance: $408 per day for days 61 through 90, and $816 per 'lifetime reserve day' after day 90, up to a 60-day lifetime maximum (up from $400 and $800 in 2023).

Part A skilled nursing facility coinsurance: $204 for days 21 through 100 for each benefit period (up from $200 in 2023) ( Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services ) ( Kiplinger.com ).

How does Conagra Brands, Inc. ensure that employees understand their retirement benefits, particularly the nuances of the Conagra Foods Inc. Pension Plan and the historical obligations from the Beatrice Retirement Income Plan (BRIP)? Are there specific communication strategies or resources provided to employees to navigate their eligibility and benefits?

Conagra Brands has not provided consistent documentation of the Beatrice Retirement Income Plan (BRIP), as evidenced by a lost BRIP Plan document, which has created confusion among former Beatrice employees. Conagra relies on internal committees like the Conagra Brands Employee Benefits Administrative Committee to oversee the administration of the Conagra Foods Inc. Pension Plan and the historical obligations from BRIP. However, there are allegations in the class action that Conagra has failed to communicate certain benefit entitlements, particularly the age at which unreduced benefits should commence(Conagra_Brands_Inc_02-1…).

In light of regulatory compliance, what measures does Conagra Brands, Inc. take to maintain the integrity and security of pension plan documents, especially considering the historical loss of the BRIP Plan document? How do the missing documents impact employee knowledge of their benefits?

The loss of the BRIP Plan document represents a significant failure in document retention and regulatory compliance. Under ERISA, Conagra is required to maintain and distribute these documents upon request. The missing BRIP documents have caused discrepancies in the administration of retirement benefits, particularly regarding the age of eligibility for unreduced benefits. Conagra has been criticized for not informing employees that these documents were lost, leading to confusion and underpayment of benefits(Conagra_Brands_Inc_02-1…).

What resources does Conagra Brands, Inc. offer to its employees who have questions about their pension benefits or discrepancies that may arise from the transition from the Beatrice Retirement Income Plan to the Conagra Foods Inc. Pension Plan? How can employees best utilize these resources?

Conagra directs employees to contact the Plan service center for inquiries related to their pension benefits. However, based on the complaints filed in court, there have been issues with transparency and the accessibility of important plan documents, including the BRIP. Employees have had to appeal their benefit decisions and deal with insufficient guidance on navigating the discrepancies between the old BRIP and the Conagra Plan. Resources like benefit calculators and service centers have sometimes provided inaccurate or incomplete information(Conagra_Brands_Inc_02-1…).

How does Conagra Brands, Inc. handle the potential discrepancies regarding the pension benefits related to the age eligibility for receiving unreduced benefits in the context of both the Conagra Plan and the Beatrice plan? What steps have been taken to prevent similar issues in the future?

Conagra has been handling discrepancies poorly, particularly around the age at which participants in the BRIP are entitled to receive unreduced benefits. The company's adjustment of the eligibility age from 60 to 65 without properly consulting or notifying employees has led to underpayment of benefits. The ongoing class action lawsuit seeks to address these discrepancies and prevent future issues by clarifying benefit entitlements under the terms of both plans(Conagra_Brands_Inc_02-1…).

Can you elaborate on the process that Conagra Brands, Inc. utilizes to communicate with employees about plan amendments and to clarify their rights under the Conagra Foods Inc. Pension Plan? What specific improvements have been made to this communication strategy in recent years?

The communication process regarding plan amendments at Conagra has been criticized as insufficient, particularly concerning the transition from the BRIP to the Conagra Plan. Employees have filed complaints about not receiving adequate notice of important changes, such as the shift in eligibility age for unreduced benefits. Conagra has failed to provide clear documentation, leading to confusion among employees. There is no evidence of significant improvements in recent years(Conagra_Brands_Inc_02-1…).

How does Conagra Brands, Inc. ensure compliance with the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), especially regarding the fiduciary duties of the Conagra Brands Employee Benefits Administrative Committee? What protocols are in place to guarantee that employeesâ€™ rights are consistently protected?

Conagra's compliance with ERISA has been challenged in court, with allegations of fiduciary breaches related to the loss of critical plan documents like the BRIP. The Conagra Brands Employee Benefits Administrative Committee is responsible for maintaining the integrity of the pension plan, but the loss of documents and failure to notify employees of their rights raise questions about the adequacy of these protocols. The lawsuit highlights a need for improved oversight and adherence to ERISA's fiduciary requirements(Conagra_Brands_Inc_02-1…).

What options are currently available for former Beatrice employees and other participants in the Conagra Foods Inc. Pension Plan to claim benefits they believe they are entitled to? How does Conagra Brands, Inc. facilitate this process?

Former Beatrice employees can contact the Pension Service Center to inquire about their benefits and initiate claims. However, the process has been complicated by missing documentation and conflicting information about eligibility. Some employees have been forced to file legal claims to recover benefits owed to them, as in the case of the ongoing class action lawsuit. The lack of clear and accessible resources has made it difficult for employees to navigate the process effectively(Conagra_Brands_Inc_02-1…).

In what ways does Conagra Brands, Inc. provide support or guidance for employees approaching retirement, particularly in understanding the timelines and responsibilities associated with electing benefits from the Conagra Foods Inc. Pension Plan?

Conagra provides online calculators and service center assistance for employees approaching retirement, but these tools have proven unreliable for some participants. Employees have reported being unable to calculate their benefits accurately or being told they were ineligible for benefits before age 65, despite the terms of the BRIP allowing benefits to begin at age 60. The class action complaint highlights deficiencies in the guidance provided to employees regarding their benefits(Conagra_Brands_Inc_02-1…).

How can employees at Conagra Brands, Inc. contact the Employee Benefits Administrative Committee for inquiries related to their benefits? What are the most efficient avenues for addressing concerns about the Conagra Foods Inc. Pension Plan or the transitions from the Beatrice plan?

Employees can contact the Plan service center for inquiries related to their benefits, but accessing the Employee Benefits Administrative Committee directly appears to be more challenging. The lawsuit indicates that employees seeking to address discrepancies with their benefits have not received timely or effective communication from the committee, often requiring legal action to resolve their concerns(Conagra_Brands_Inc_02-1…).

How does Conagra Brands, Inc. evaluate its pension plan's performance and benefits offerings in relation to industry standards? What methods are used to ensure the company remains competitive while protecting employee benefits under the Conagra Foods Inc. Pension Plan?

There is little publicly available information regarding how Conagra evaluates its pension plan's performance against industry standards. The company's handling of historical pension obligations, particularly from the Beatrice acquisition, suggests that its methods for protecting employee benefits have been insufficient. Ongoing litigation regarding underpayment of benefits and loss of critical documents indicates that the company may need to improve its evaluation methods and compliance efforts to remain competitive(Conagra_Brands_Inc_02-1…).

With the current political climate we are in it is important to keep up with current news and remain knowledgeable about your benefits.

Conagra Brands announced a restructuring plan aiming to streamline operations and reduce costs. This includes layoffs impacting various departments and potential changes to employee benefits.

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For more information you can reach the plan administrator for Conagra Brands at 222 W. Merchandise Mart Plaza Chicago, IL 60654; or by calling them at (312) 549-5000.