Retirees Corner November
Retirees’ Corner
Bill Bowers, Chairman
Lump Sum Payments (a.k.a. Christmas Bonus): The Lump Sum Payments (aka Christmas Bonus) will be paid the second week of December 2010 for those of you who retired before the 2007 Agreement. The amount of the check will depend on your years of credited services – maximum $700.00 for retirees and $455.00 for surviving spouse.
In error at our October membership meeting I reported that we would get the lump sum payment in 2010 and 2011. Our contract expires on September 14, 2011 so the lump sum has to be renegotiated. Therefore, 2011, NO lump sum unless it is put in our contract.
Health Care Changes: I want to cover the upcoming changes to our health care coverage again:
- No increase in monthly contributions
- No increase in deductable or coinsurance
- Smoking cessation, Chantix and Zyban – covered
- Diabetes education – certified diabetes educators to be made available. Not a benefit in doctor’s office.
- Cardiac Rehab to be offered
- Nurse Practitioners, Physician Assistants – covered
- Shingles vaccine – covered
- Dependent coverage till age 26 (no school required)
- Cost increase for brand name drugs
- 30 day supply $25 to $30 = $5.00 increase
- 90 day mail order $50 to $60 = $10.00 increase
- Generic drugs stays the same for 2011
- $50.00 co-pay for Urgent Care Facilities (Emergency Room will remain $100 co-pay)
- Using Urgent Care Facilities will save you $50 per visit
- Both fees will be waived if your are admitted
Next Meeting: Our next meeting is November 1, 2010, at 11:00 a.m. We will be having turkey and dressing and our featured speaker will be Melissa Chambers from Visiting Physicians Assoc.
Our Christmas Party is Sunday, December 5, 2010, 5 – 10 p.m. at Antone’s. Tickets are just $10 per person and will be on sale at the union hall until November 22nd. Come on out and join us; we always have great time.
We will not meet in January, February and March. Our first meeting in 2011 will be April 4th.