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AFT October Online Resources : Medicare

10.24.11

Important Medicare dates you need to know—now
The dates for Medicare's Fall Open Enrollment Period have changed. The period now begins on Oct.15 and lasts through Dec. 7. During this window, Medicare participants can change their Medicare health and drug coverage options without restriction. Stay up to speed on these and other changes with resources developed by the Medicare Rights Center.

Check out the Medicare Rights Center's searchable online guide, Medicare Interactive, which features answers to real Medicare questions, as well as case examples and links to numerous state-specific resources. Medicare Interactive provides clear, up-to-date guidance on questions such as:
Can I change my Medicare health plan at any time?
What questions should I ask before joining a Medicare private health plan?

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MPSERS to hold Health Initiative Review Committee hearings on proposed changes to the retiree health care program for 2012

6.11.11

MPSERS will be holding Health Initiative Review Committee hearings on July 5 and July 8 on the proposed changes to the retiree health care program for 2012. The Health Committee has recommended three changes to address the projected $48 M shortfall in next year's health care costs. The recommendations include an administrative change in the health care system to allow the system to recoup additional federal dollars, the elimination of two classifications of drugs (antihistimines and lifestyle drugs including ED medication) and an increase in co-pays and deductible maximums. Formal action is expected at the July 28th meeting of MPSERS.

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AFT Members Say Hello to Electronic Payment of Federal Benefits

5.27.11

The U.S. Department of the Treasury recently announced that all federal benefits will be paid electronically. Starting May 1 of this year, anyone applying for federal benefits has had to choose an electronic payment method when applying for their benefit. Anyone currently receiving paper checks must switch to electronic by March 1, 2013.

People already receiving benefit payments electronically do not need to take further action. They will continue to receive their payment as usual on their payment date.

This change makes it more important than ever for retirees to sign up for electronic payments now.

•  Have a bank or credit union account? Sign up for direct deposit of benefit payments directly into a checking or savings account by going to www.GoDirect.org, calling 800/ 333-1795, or visiting your local bank or credit union.

•  Prefer a prepaid debit card? The Direct Express® Debit MasterCard® card is an FDIC-insured prepaid debit card that provides a safe, low-cost alternative to paper checks for federal benefits payments. Cardholders can make retail purchases, pay bills and get cash back. No bank account or credit check is required. To sign up for the card, or to learn about its fees and features, go to www.GoDirect.org, call 800/ 333-1795, or contact your federal agency.

People who do not choose an electronic payment option by March 1, 2013, or at the time they apply for federal benefits, will receive their payments via the Direct Express® card so they will not experience any interruption in payment.

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Governor Granholm's Pension Reform Proposal

3.1.10
Pension "Reforms" Under Discussion

AFT Michigan and other public education groups are reviewing and discussing the governor's proposed pension and retirement reforms. The major components of the plan include:

• 1. A 3% increase in the amount that all school employees including Basic Plan members contribute to MPSERS. Employees hired after Sept. 2008 will have a .9% increase.
  
  
• 2. After Oct. 1, 2010 a 30 year cap on service time used to calculate Pensions for all employees who currently have fewer than 30 years of service time, excluding purchased service time. Employees would receive benefits from a defined contribution plan for years beyond 30.
  
  
• 3. Eliminate MPSERS subsidy for dental and vision coverage for all who retire after Oct. 1, 2010.
  
  
• 4. New hires would have a hybrid pension system that includes:
      a. A defined benefit plan which increases the final compensation average
          from 3 years to 9 years.
      b. A defined contribution plan based on employer/employee Contributions
      c. Raising the minimum retirement age to 65
  
  
• 5. A retirement incentive for all eligible employees who retire before a date specified in the bill which would increase the pension multiplier from 1.5 to 1.6.

 

The Governor's proposed deadline for the effective implementation of the proposal is April l. As soon as these proposed "reforms" are put into a formal bill and introduced into the legislature, school employees and retirees will be asked to express their concerns to their state representatives and senators.

Please remember that at this time, the Governor's proposal is just that, a proposal that must be passed by both houses of the legislature and can be amended along the way.

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Mary Ellen Riordan

1.26.10
We are sad to announce the passing of Mary Ellen Riordan on Sunday, January 24. Mary Ellen who served for years as the president of the Detroit Federation of Teachers as well as a Vice-President of the AFT, was an outspoken and dedicated teacher unionist who was respected by all of us who had the privilege of working with her. She had been living in a retirement community in Dearborn and was still active in the effort to protect the benefits of retirees. We will post arrangements as soon as they are available.

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MPSERS Health Care Plan Changes (Effective January 1, 2010)

11.2.09
update: 11.25.09

dowload a .pdf copy of this article >>

Medicare Advantage is phased out by end of 2009 and original Medicare returns.

This means that you will need to return to the two card system; your healthcare card and your Medicare card. The good news is that the Social Security Administration has agreed to send new Medicare cards to all MPSERS retirees that qualify. The cards are expected to be sent out in December. I you do not receive one and can not locate your old card you may call 1.800.772.1213.

Medicare Part D remains in place for all Medicare members. There are no changes to dental, vision or hearing aid benefits. And, there will be no Social Security cost of living adjustment in 2010.

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The following impact Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan PPO subscribers ONLY. HMO contracts (Blue Cross Network, Health Alliance Plan and Priority Health plans) are not included.

$10 prescription drug premium added per month per contract

Non-formulary drugs NOT covered.
Retiree pays 100% of cost for non-formulary drug when generic is available. Only about 2% will be affected and each will be personally notified. Medical exceptions may apply.

Annual deductible and copayment maximums:
Deductible $400 ($250 in 2009)
Medical coinsurance maximum $700 ($500 in 2009)
Pharmacy coinsurance maximum $1,000 ($800 in 2009)

Emergency Room Copayment
$50 per visit, fee waived if admitted directly

Mental Health Benefit
90% coverage for outpatient and physician visits (50% in 2009)

Hospice benefit
Expanded to 12 months verses 6 months in 2009

New prescription drug benefits provider.
Catalyst replaces MEDCO for mail order and BCBSM for local pharmacies. The transition is expected to be seamless as programs are similar. You will be getting a new card before January 1, 2010

"Healthy Living" program to lower out-of-pocket costs.
Non-Medicare retirees complete a Health Risk Assessment form and return it to BCBSM by December 1, 2009 (NO EXCEPTIONS) which qualify them for $100 off maximum deductible, medical coinsurance and pharmacy coinsurance.

This is an annual requirement. Medicare members will be required to complete the form in 2011. It will be mailed or made available online in September of each year here after.

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To avoid additional cost
Consider an HMO option. Visit the plan comparison chart at:
http://www.michigan.gov/documents/R379C_135126_7.pdf

You may qualify for Medicare assistance premiums for low income members. If your income is 135% above the federal poverty level you may qualify depending on your other assets. Call 800.772.1213 for further information.
(Based on 2008 guidelines, 135% for one person is an annual income of $14,040.00 and $18,900.00 for a family of two. 2009 guidelines will likely not be available until Mid to late January 2010.)

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From MPSERS - Lansing

12.1.09
Letters were sent to all retirees concerning the BCBSM Living Well Initiative. You will soon be receiving a second letter which will provide information about the new prescription drugs provider, Catalyst.

Medicare participants will be receiving a new Medicare card by January 1, 2010 or before.

There are no changes to the current HMO plans, however, word has it there could be an additional three more options soon. By mid-December an updated summary of benefits letter will be sent to all members and available on the MPSERS web site.

The Social Security Administration will not be issuing a cost of living allowance for 2010. However the good news is that the SSA's new ruling can not allow your check to be less than this year, meaning those in Medicare will not pay more for insurance, new Medicare members will.

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NEW COALITION: SENIORS TO SENIORS

11.4.09
The AFT Program on Retirement and Retirees has joined labor and seniors groups in sponsoring Seniors to Seniors, http://www.seniorstoseniors.org, a newly formed coalition of senior citizen advocacy organizations committed to keeping older Americans informed about the impact of current healthcare reform legislation on their coverage. The website includes a short videos on the issues in healthcare reform that impact seniors and can be useful to your retired members. Feel free to pass the link on.

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ORS TO CONDUCT HEARINGS ON HEALTH CARE CHANGES

6.12.09
The Office of Retirement Services and the Health Initiative Review Committee will be holding public hearings on proposed retiree health care changes for 2010 on June 23 and July 1 at the ORS Offices in Lansing. The meetings are open to everyone.

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BCBS SENDS SECOND VERIFICATION LETTERS

6.12.09
Blue Cross/Blue Shield is sending out second notices to those retirees who have not responded to the initial "Verification of Coverage Letters" that were mailed early in May. Completion of the "verification" form is necessary to continue health care coverage for the coming year.

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ORS OFFICE IMPACTED BY GOVERNOR'S FURLOUGH ORDER

6.12.09
The Office of Retirement Services will not be open for business on June 19, July 7, July 24,October 7, October 21 and September 4 because of the 6-day furloughs ordered by the governor for all state employees.