Is it true ?  Not always.  Read on.

So why did so many retirees believe they were required to purchase through Via?  It is true some retirees could lose special benefits from TVA  like a healthcare subsidy or insurance for their under age 65 spouses covered by TVA medical insurance if they do not purchase through the PME..  However, according to TVA plan experts, only about 20% of retirees received these types of benefits - the remaining 80% had nothing to lose by purchasing their plans directly from insurers.

Here is the problem:  two different marketing/informational brochures made available  to retirees and posted on Via's website instructed retirees that they "must" enroll in the PME's plans or face a "lapse" in coverage. No effort was made to disclose to retirees critically important purchase options - a real problem for a PME that claims to be retirees' trusted advisor. 

Remember: some retirees may be able to find plans at much lower rates by purchasing directly from insurers, but need to check with TVA to see if they would be forfeiting any special benefits like healthcare subsidies or insurance for their under age 65 spouses.