Welfare Notes - October 2008

Part A

Most people do not pay a premium for Part A because they or a spouse has 40 or more quarters of Medicare covered employment. Part A pays for inpatient hospital, skilled nursing facility, and some home health care.

Hospital Stays: Medicare pays all covered costs except:

• Part A Deductible $1,068.00 in 2009 for a hospital stay of 1-60 days; $267.00 per day patient’s responsibility for 61-90 days of a hospital stay; $534.00 per day patient’s responsibility for 91-150 days of a hospital stay. All costs are patient’s responsibility for days beyond 150 days of a hospital stay.
• Skilled Nursing Facility Coinsurance: $133.50 per day for days 21 through 100 for each benefit period.

Part B

The monthly Medicare Part B premium for 2009 will be $96.40. This is the same amount charged in 2008.

Medicare Part B covers Medicare eligible physician services, outpatient hospital services, certain home health services, and durable medical equipment. There is a $135.00 Medicare Part B deductible. The patient pays 20% of the Medicare approved amount for services after the deductible has been met.

Part D

Part D is the Medicare Prescription Drug Plan. Please contact Medicare or your Part D plan carrier for questions about possible premium changes or coverage changes.

The cost of the Medicare Part B premium is reimbursed to Pensioners on their pension check. The amount of the Medicare Part B premium is then deducted from the Pensioners’ Annual Allowance.

Please contact the Plan office for questions about the Pensioners Allowance. (1-800-796-8003 or 415-778-5490)

Michelle Chang, Administrator  
Patty Martin  
Virginia Briggs, Claims  
Michael Jacyna, Eligibility  

SUP Welfare Plan

Phone Numbers: 415-778-5490 or 1-800-796-8003
Fax: 415-778-5495
Training Representative Berit Eriksson 415-957-1816
SIU-PD Pension Plan  415-764-4987
SIU-PD Supplemental Benefits Fund  415-764-4991