Defined Dollar Credit

Defined Dollar Credit

CALTECH RETIREE DEFINED DOLLAR CREDIT

WEX has a dedicated number for Caltech/JPL retirees; 1-844-561-1334. You may use this number or continue to use the original number provided when contacting WEX.

 

What is ‘Defined Dollar Credit’?

 

The Defined Dollar Credit is a monthly amount intended to help you pay for the cost of your medical coverage, while giving you more flexibility and options for choosing coverage that fits you best.

This credit is based on your years of service (up to a maximum of 25+ years) and Medicare eligibility. Since Medicare is your primary coverage, these plans cost less and the defined dollar credit for Medicare-eligible retirees is also less.

The 2025 DDC will be increasing by 3%.

 

How It Works:

 

step one

Determine your monthly medical, dental and/or vision premium costs

clipboard step two

Determine your Defined Dollar Credit (DDC) based on your terms of service*

step 3

Deduct your monthly Defined Dollar Credit from your total monthly costs**

step four

The remaining balance of costs due will be direct billed to you monthly.

 

*refer to 2025 DDC amounts document (right side of this page).

**A plan administrative fee of $13.40 is included in the Caltech sponsored Kaiser and Aetna Health Plan monthly premium rates.

 

 

 

How to Participate:


There are three ways to participate in the Caltech Retiree Medical Plan:

 

  • Participate in a Caltech-sponsored plan. You pay the monthly plan premium (s) less your Defined Dollar Credit. If your plan(s) costs more than the amount of your Defined Dollar Credit, you will receive a monthly notice of premium due.

    If your plan(s) costs less than the amount of your Defined Dollar Credit, the extra Defined Dollar Credit will be available to you through a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA). You can use your HRA to pay eligible health care expenses. The HRA is administered by WEX - Discovery Benefits.

  • Have your entire Defined Dollar Credit available to you through a Health Reimbursement Account (HRA). Enroll in the HRA and use your Define Dollar Credit to purchase a non-Institute health plan and pay other eligible health care expenses. Any premiums deducted from a paycheck must be paid on an after tax basis to be eligible for reimbursement by the HRA account.

  • Opt out of the Caltech program entirely.
    If you choose to opt out of the Caltech Retiree Medical Plan, you will not receive a Defined Dollar Credit. (To receive your Defined Dollar Credit, you must enroll in an Institute-sponsored medical plan or HRA.) If you do not enroll in the Caltech Retiree Medical Plan within two years after your retirement date, and you do not have other continuous medical coverage (other than Medicare), you waive your right to participate in the Caltech Retiree Medical Plan.

 

Contact WEX

 Phone
1-844-561-1334
 Fax
1-866-451-3245

2025 DDC Amounts
Download Now

 

Guide: How to Set Up Your Online Account
Download Now

 

Navigate Your Online Account
Download Now

 

How to File a Claim in Your Online Account
Download Now

 

How to Set up Your Benefits Mobile Appt
Download Now

 

How to File a Claim in the Benefits Mobile App
Download Now

 

Out-of-Pocket Reimbursement form
Download Now

 

Caltech Automatic Premium Reimbursement Request Form
Download Now

 

Direct Deposit Form
Download Now

 

Authorized Representative Form HIPAA (Spanish)
Download Now

 

Benefits Mobile App (Spanish)
Download Now

 

Benefits technology and resources (Spanish)
Download Now

 

Claim Form (Spanish)
Download Now

 

Substantiation FAQ Spanish
Download Now

 

Eligible Expenses
Click Here

 

How to Set Up Direct Deposit in Your Online Account
Download Now

 

How To Reset Your Username and Password
Download Now

 

Mobile App How To Reset Your Username and Password
Download Now

 

FAQs