Welfare Notes - October 2011

October, 2011

Mailings

Creditable coverage letters for active Participants and non-creditable coverage letters for Pensioners were recently mailed. Please read them carefully and keep for your records.

Medical Plans for Active Participants

Creditable coverage letters for active Participants and non-creditable coverage letters for Pensioners were recently mailed. Please read them carefully and keep for your records.

Pensioners' Annual Allowance and Special Pensioners Medical Benefit

The $2,000 Pensioner’s Annual Allowance allows for reimbursement of covered expenses in the plan year that runs from August 1 through July 31 of the following year.

The monthly Medicare Part B Premium of $96.40 currently is reimbursed to Pensioners on their pension checks.  This amount multiplied by 12 months is then deducted from the Pensioners’ Annual Allowance.  If the Part B Premium is also being reimbursed for a spouse, that amount is also deducted from the allowance.  These deductions are applied to the total allowance at the beginning of the plan year.

When the Pensioners’ Allowance has been exhausted, covered expenses are applied to the Special Pensioners Medical benefit on a pro-rata basis for pensioners who meet the eligibility requirements.

The maximums are:

  • $500.00 for medical, dental, and vision co-payments (example $250.00 medical, $100.00 dental, & $150.00 vision would total the $500.00 maximum).
  • $1,000.00 for prescription drugs
  • $2,500.00 for premiums (examples Medicare Part D Prescription Drug Premium, supplemental plan premiums such as AARP or Kaiser supplemental plans.)

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