A male Caterpillar retiree stands with family in front of a 420E backhoe.
A male Caterpillar retiree stands with family in front of a 420E backhoe.

Benefits Home Page

Retirees

 

Eligibility Rules

Your eligibility for Caterpillar’s retiree health care coverage depends on several factors, including your date of hire, age, service and your group. Contact the Caterpillar Health Enrollment Center for specifics on eligibility.

Dependent Verification Required

If you enroll a spouse, same-sex domestic partner or child, you’ll be required to provide proof of their eligibility (e.g., marriage license, birth or adoption certificate, etc.). After you enroll, you’ll receive a letter from the Caterpillar Health Enrollment Center with further instructions.

Dual-Caterpillar Couples

If you and your spouse/same-sex domestic partner work for or retired from Caterpillar (excluding Solar), you must each enroll in health care coverage as an employee or retiree — neither of you can be covered as a dependent of the other. Eligible children can be covered as a dependent under your or your spouse/same-sex domestic partner’s plan, but not both.

Contacts

Medical Plan Options and Summary

 

Depending on your group, we are pleased to offer these four options:

Traditional plan options

Consumer Directed Health Plans (CDHPs), which include a tax-advantaged Health Savings Account
  • Blue Cross Blue Shield National
  • UnitedHealthcare (UHC) Choice Plus
  • UHC Consumer Choice — CDHP
  • UHC Consumer Max — CDHP


 

Medical, Prescription Drug, Dental and Vision Coverage are Bundled Together
If you enroll in a Caterpillar medical plan, you and your covered dependents will automatically be enrolled in dental and vision benefits, which are administered by Cigna and VSP respectively.


 

BCBS National

The BCBS EPO requires you to use in-network providers only. Generally, in-network coverage is provided at 80% after you pay your annual deductible. Many preventive services are covered at 100%. The BCBS EPO includes prescription drug benefits administered by Prime Therapeutics. The BCBS EPO includes copays for primary care and specialist office visits. Out-of-network services aren’t covered except for life-threatening emergencies.

UHC Choice Plus

UHC PPO allows you to use either in-network or out-of-network providers. You may choose any provider, but you’ll pay less if you use a provider in the network. Generally, network coverage is provided at 80% after you pay your annual deductible. Many preventive services are covered at 100%. The UHC PPO includes prescription drug benefits administered by Prime Therapeutics.

UHC Consumer Choice and UHC Consumer Max

UHC Consumer Choice and Consumer Max plan options allow you to use either in-network or out-of-network providers. You may choose any provider, but you’ll pay less if you use a provider in the network. In-network coverage is provided at 80% after you pay an annual deductible. The CDHPs have higher annual deductibles than the traditional plan options. Many preventive services are covered at 100%. The plan includes prescription drug benefits administered by Prime Therapeutics. In both these plan options, you’ll pay the full negotiated rate for non-preventive medical services and prescription drugs until you meet the deductible. Both of these plans include a tax-advantaged Health Savings Account. Caterpillar contributes to this account on your behalf, and you can contribute too. Learn more about the HSA.

 

Medicare Part D
If you enroll in one of the plans approved by Medicare that offers prescription drug coverage, you may need to provide a copy of your Proof of Credible Coverage Notice to show you're not required to pay a higher premium amount. For a copy, contact the Caterpillar Health Enrollment Center at 1-833-735-2127. Learn more.

Mid-Year Changes
If you experience a qualified life event (e.g., get married or divorced, have a baby, or if your spouse gains or loses employment), you may be able to add or drop coverage for you and/or your dependents — as long as you make the change within 31 days of the event. Contact the Caterpillar Health Enrollment Center to get started.

Learn More
View the Retiree Benefits Brochure and/or log into the Caterpillar Health Enrollment Center's website to view plan details and compare the plan options.

 

Find An In-Network Provider

To locate in-network providers, contact:

Plan option

Nationwide network

 Caterpillar NetWork
(in select counties in Illinois)

BCBS National

BCBS network provider

 Caterpillar NetWork provider
UHC Choice Plus
UHC Consumer Choice
UHC Consumer Max

UHC network provider
(choose Choice Plus)

Caterpillar NetWork provider

Special Resources and Benefits

 

Caterpillar is pleased to offer coverage and resources for a variety of health care needs, including these important services:

Are you unhappy with your current doctor’s office visit experience? Do you usually go to an urgent care facility or ER when you have health issues instead of your doctor’s office? Maybe you don’t even have a primary care physician. Or maybe you’re simply interested in a new way to access health care.

If any of this applies to you, you’re in luck! Caterpillar partners with Carle Health to provide eligible Caterpillar health care plan participants in the Peoria area* with a more individualized health care experience through the Carle Health Clinic – Priority Health.

What’s in it for you?

  • A dedicated primary care physician – People who have an ongoing relationship with their doctor have been shown to have better overall health and quality of life.
  • More time with your doctor – Your doctor will take the time needed to listen to you and address your concerns.
  • Early morning and extended evening hours – You can get an appointment when it’s convenient for you.
  • Same-day appointments – When you need an appointment quickly, call and your doctor will make time to see you.
  • One-stop shop for your health care services – No need to go elsewhere for x-rays and labs, quick referrals for other services and on-site wellness coaching specialists available.
  • 24/7 hotline – If you need medical advice any time of the day or night.
  • Convenient location – Close to several Caterpillar facilities (200 River Rd., East Peoria).
  • No additional cost to you – No fee to join, and visits and services will be covered as usual through the Caterpillar health care plan, no matter which plan option you’re enrolled in.

Enrollment is limited – don’t miss out!

The clinic is limited to 3,000 participants. There are still spots available! Sign-up is on a first come, first served basis.

Learn more, request a tour or join the clinic.

Why is this only available in the Peoria area?

We're partnering with Carle Health on a physician office model in the Peoria area because of the large number of employees available to participate. If this concept results in improved healthcare experiences and outcomes as anticipated, we will explore similar partnerships in other locations.

Beginning April 1, 2025, we’re expanding 2nd.MD – a free, confidential and virtual second opinion service – to more employees and requiring them to use the benefit when considering surgery for certain bone, spine, joint and carpal tunnel syndrome conditions. Learn more.

Caterpillar employees and their family members enrolled in a UnitedHealthcare (UHC) medical plan have access to 2nd.MD, a virtual expert medical consultation and navigation service, including second opinions. With 2nd.MD, you can connect with board-certified, elite specialists about your diagnosis or treatment plan all within a matter of days at no cost to you!  Contact 2nd.MD to confirm whether you are eligible.

View 2nd.MD Testimonials

When to use 2nd.MD

When dealing with illness, injury or chronic pain, 2nd.MD makes it easy to get a virtual expert medical consultation from the best in medicine. 2nd.MD can help when you have medical questions like:

●      Do I have the right diagnosis?
●      Am I on the best treatment path and medications?
●      Is this surgery or procedure the best option for me?

What kind of conditions can 2nd.MD help with?

2nd.MD experts are industry leaders across hundreds of subspecialties and thousands of conditions, like:

  • Back, knee, hip, shoulder surgery*
  • Cancer
  • Carpal tunnel syndrome*
  • Heart disease and stroke
  • Digestive problems
  • Immunological disorders (type 1 diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis)
  • Mental health issues
  • And many more

*2nd.MD is required for certain conditions that require surgery; see below.

When is using 2nd.MD required?

Beginning April 1, 2025, if you or a covered family member are considering surgery for a bone, spine, joint or carpal tunnel syndrome condition, you will be required to have a virtual expert medical consultation with 2nd.MD. Caterpillar’s health care plans (Blue Cross Blue Shield or UnitedHealthcare) will partner with 2nd.MD and may reach out if you or a dependent has had a recent related claim. Learn more about this valuable service.

2nd.MD specialists

2nd.MD specialists are from highly respected medical institutions and leaders in their field of practice. Many own their own practices and have won prestigious awards. 2nd.MD specialists take an unbiased approach that includes:

●      Reviewing and confirming your treatment plan
●      Providing you thorough answers and another level of expertise
●      Advocacy regarding your healthcare needs
●      Giving you confidence and in some cases, additional treatment options

How to activate your 2nd.MD account

You can activate your account with 2nd.MD today so it will be ready when you need it. To activate your account and/or request a consult: 

●        Visit www.2nd.md/caterpillar
●        Call 1-866-269-3534
●        Download the 2nd.MD app via App Store or Google Play

Caterpillar’s health plan offers advocates to assist with gender affirmation services:

As an eligible employee, you can obtain new hearing aids every 60 months through EPIC Hearing Healthcare. Benefits include:

  • Virtual and in-person appointments
  • Hearing testing and fitting
  • Hearing aids delivered to your provider or to your home
  • Follow-up care

Get Started Today

  1. Go to EPICHearing.com or call 1-866-956-5400, TTY 711 to sign up.
  2. Ask to be connected to an EPIC hearing provider — virtual or in person (Note: This step is important to ensure you receive the full benefit).
  3. See an EPIC provider for any additional hearing tests and order custom-programmed hearing aids. Choose from 2,000+ hearing aid models and styles with advanced technology, including Bluetooth® streaming, recharging capabilities, hands-free calls with tap control and more.
  4. Receive your hearing aids in person from your provider or through direct delivery with virtual follow-up care.

Questions

Visit EPICHearing.com or call EPIC Hearing Healthcare at 1-866-956-5400, TTY 711, Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT.

Virtual visits save you time and money – you can talk with a doctor by video or phone on demand 24/7 whether you’re at work, home or traveling. Providers can treat and prescribe medications for everyday illnesses like the flu, sinus infections, a cough and a lot more.

Here’s how virtual visits are covered

Medical Plan Option

Description and Cost

How to Access Virtual Visits

BCBS National

The Caterpillar health care plan will cover virtual visits through approved providers at no cost to you. Virtual visits with your regular doctor’s office are covered subject to your medical plan benefits.
  1. Contact MDLIVE directly by calling their customer service number:  1-888-676-4204
  2. Visit MDLIVE’s website: MDLIVE.com/bcbsil
  3. Download MDLIVE’s mobile app.

 

Learn more or contact BCBS with questions.

UHC Choice Plus (PPO)

The Caterpillar health care plan will cover virtual visits through approved providers at no cost to you. Virtual visits with your regular doctor’s office are covered subject to your medical plan benefits.
  1. Download the UHC app on your smart phone or visit myuhc.com/virtualvisits from a tablet or computer.
  2. New to myuhc.com? Click Register Now.
  3. Sign in with your username and password.
  4. Click Get Started to talk or video chat with a doctor 24/7.

 

Learn more or contact UHC with questions.

UHC Consumer Choice (CDHP) or UHC Consumer Max (CDHP)

Due to IRS rules, the Caterpillar health care plan will cover virtual visits through approved providers or virtual or telehealth visits with your regular doctor’s office  — subject to your medical plan benefits, but usually $50 or less.

 

If the content of this communication, other telehealth services communications, other health care plan changes or any representations made by any person regarding Caterpillar’s employee benefit plans and programs conflict with or are inconsistent with the provisions of the governing documents, the provisions of the plan documents are controlling. To the fullest extent permitted by law, Caterpillar reserves the right to amend, modify, suspend, replace or terminate any of their plans, policies or programs, in whole or in part, at any time and for any reason, by appropriate company action.

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