Dec. 26: Virtual Membership Mtg.; Pres. Message; Winter Classes; Class Action Granted in Senior Care Copays Case; Injunction Stops Aetna Plan; Info on Healthare, Medicare Part B & IRMAA

GENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING - DEC. 26 - 10AM

The DC37 Retirees Association will be holding a General Membership Meeting via Zoom on Tuesday, Dec. 26, 2023, at 10:00 AM EST.
To attend the meeting use the Zoom.us program with meeting ID 829 4297 2009. To join by phone, call 646.558.8656 and enter the meeting ID followed by the # sign. For details and meeting schedule, click here.
 

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGES RE HEALTHCARE, ACCIDENTAL DEATH BENEFIT AND RELATED BENEFITS

President Bob Gervasi issued a President's Message on Aug. 17, 2023, discussing the permanent injunction against the Aetna plan, details about NILICO benefits and insurance and an update on the Sept. 2023 general membership meeting. Please CLICK HERE to read the entire message.

WINTER CLASSES FOR RETIREES

Registration is now open for the Winter 2024 series of Retiree classes offered by the DC 37 Education Dept. Free classes will cover computer skills and digital literacy, Black History, Jewish History, Health and Fitness, and Spanish I and II. To register or for more information, please click on the links below.

JUDGE APPROVES CLASS ACTION IN CO-PAYS CASE

Attention Brother and Sister Retirees covered under GHI Senior Care. On Oct. 20, 2023, Judge Frank granted class-action status in the EmblemHealth/GHI Senior Care co-pays case. According to the decision, the case was brought by retired New York City employees (plaintiffs), who alleged the defendants City of New York and Emblem Health instituted a practice of charging copays in violation of their obligations under a Feb. 25, 2000, contract. Defendants argued that if the copays were ordered to be refunded, an individual claims process could be instituted. However, retirees contended this would be too difficult for elderly claimants, who constituted a class of some 183,000 former NYC employees enrolled in Senior Care. The court found for the plaintiffs and granted them class action status. Click here to read Judge Frank's decision.

TRO & INJUNCTION 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. Please CLICK HERE for an updated message from NYC OLR. -- In solidarity,  Bob Gervasi, President, DC37 Retirees Association

NOTE: On Aug. 11, the court issued a permanent injunction against implementation of the Aetna Healthcare Plan. Click here for details.

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

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
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