TRO Issued in Aetna Court Case; Updates on Managed Care, Welfare Fund, Senior Care Copays, & Medicare Part B & IRMAA Info

TRO ISSUED IN AETNA CASE

July 7, 2023 : Attention Brother and Sister Retirees covered under GHI Senior Care.

Today, Judge Frank issued a TEMPORARY RESTRAINING ORDER regarding the AETNA Healthcare Plan being imposed by Mayor Adam's, the City of New York and the Municipal Labor Committee that was due to roll-out on September 1, 2023. If you have not already sought to "waiver out" stop that action. Those who have submitted documentation already, please contact the NYC OFFICE OF LABOR RELATIONS and inquire about rescinding your waiver. The Retirees Assn. hopes to have additional information for our "special meeting" next Tuesday, July 11, 2023 @ 11:00 a.m. See login/call-in details below. Have a great weekend. -- In solidarity,  Bob Gervasi, President, DC37 Retirees Association

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGES RE HEALTHCARE, WELFARE FUND, EVENTS, AND OFFICE UPDATES

President Bob Gervasi issued a President's Message on May 19, 2023, discussing DC 37 Welfare Fund Benefits & the Aetna Managed Care Plan. Please CLICK HERE to read the entire message.

President Bob Gervasi issued a President's Message on May 1, 2023, discussing Aetna Managed Care, related events, lobbying elected officials and office updates. Please CLICK HERE to read the entire message.

UPDATE ON GHI SENIOR CARE COPAYS

Attention Retirees utilizing GHI Senior Care (* ONLY). Following is a message from DC 37 Retirees President Bob Gervasi:

To Retirees utilizing GHI Senior Care ONLY,Presently, the courts have issued a TEMPORARY injunction placing a cessation of Copays for ONLY those Retirees who are enrolled in the GHI Senior Care. Since this information has not been received by all GHI medical providers, it is a possibility that your medical provider is not aware of this recent TEMPORARY change, and they may request a co pay. My advice is not to get into an argument over this issue and just make the co pay and keep your receipts for a later day if necessary.
Thank you.
Bob Gervasi
President, DC37 Retirees Association

• Court filings on NYC MAPP and GHI Senior Care copays can be found on the website of the NYC Organization of Public Service Retirees at https://www.nycretirees.org/announcements

MEDICARE PART B REIMBURSEMENT

From OLR: Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents will be reimbursed annually for the standard Medicare Part B amount of $170.10 per month ($170.10 x 12 months = $2,041.20), excluding any penalties and late enrollment fees, and subject to be pro-rated. 

2022 Medicare Part B reimbursements will be issued in April 2023.  Please check your bank account/statement (or the mail, if you are receiving a physical check).

If you already submitted your Medicare Part A & B card to the Health Benefits Program, this payment is automatic and you will receive it annually.

Please note that members who paid above the amount of $170.10 per month (IRMAA surcharge) will have to complete a form on the NYC OLR website. The New York City Office of Labor Relations usually makes the annual IRMAA form available on its website in May. For details, please CLICK HERE to visit the NYC OLR website.

IRMAA 2022 REIMBURSEMENTS

IRMAA 2022 annual reimbursements will be issued during the 3rd week of October 2023. Medicare-eligible retirees and their Medicare-eligible dependents can submit an IRMAA application if they paid above the standard amount of $170.10 per month. If you did not pay more than the standard amount, then you are not eligible for IRMAA. 

• If you are currently receiving your pension check through Electronic Fund Transfer (EFT) or direct deposit, your reimbursement will be deposited directly into your bank account. This is separate from your pension payment. If you don’t have EFT or direct deposit, you should receive a check in the mail.
• Please submit the IRMAA 2022 Reimbursement Application, along with all required documents, electronically to: https://nycemployeebenefits.leapfile.net