ANSWER OUR JUNE MEMBER POLL.
Let's toot our own horn. We know MEA retirees continue to give and give. How much time do you spend volunteering?
Verification of Coverage (VOC) forms are being mailed to all BLUE CROSS BLUE SHIELD contract holders. The form asks if you have any additional insurance. Blue Cross Blue Shield members must respond to avoid an interruption (cancellation) of coverage. You may respond by phone, return the form by mail, or register on the internet.
SOCIAL SECURITY EXPANSION BILL
This bill (S.731) would raise the cap on taxable wages, thus making the Social Security System solvent for a number of additional years. It would use the Consumer Price Index for Elderly Consumers to calculate cost-of-living adjustments. If this change in how cost of living is calculated were to take effect, it would reflect the types of expenses which older Americans typically have. This change in how cost of living is calculated wo
uld increase the average annual benefit to current beneficiaries by about $800 per year or about $65 per month.
MPSERS PROPOSES 2015-2017 HEALTH CARE CHANGES
The MPSERS (Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System) Board met May 28, 2015. A report was presented about the health care proposed changes for 2016-2017. Keep in mind
these are only proposals. No specific proposals were made for prescription drugs. This does not mean there won't be changes.
The information presented was not elaborated on so many questions are unanswered. The Health Insurance Review Committee will meet June 30 at 10:30 a.m. for questions and comments from the public. So, if you have questions and comments attend the meeting.
MEDICAL PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS: DEDUCTIBLES
| 2015 | 2016 | 2017 |
| Living Well Program | $700 | $750 | $850 |
| Living Well plus Medical Home designated PCP | $650 | $700 | $800 |
| Non-Living Well | $850 | $1000 | $1000 |
| Alternative Health Program | $0-500 | Lower | Lower |
| OOP Max | $800 | $850 | $900 |
Other Medical Plan
Proposed Recommendations:
* Emergency Dept Copay: $65 for 2016 and 2017
* Benefits: Licensed Master Worker; colonoscopy screening; flu vaccines; unlimited hospital days covered; hospice covered in full; dental implants covered
Dental Plan Proposals:
* Dental implants used to replace missing teeth
Senate Will Cut Short Its Summer Vacation To Deal With Roads
Under a new revised schedule, the Senate expects to be in session seven days in June, 11 days in July, nine days in August, and the first week of September to handle the road funding issue. Before the schedule change, the Senate was expected to adjourn early in June. The House of Representatives has not yet announced its summer plans. The Senate is expected to come up with its own road funding plan soon.
Keep your mailing address accurate with new miAccount feature
The Michigan Public School Employee Retirement System (MPSERS) has developed a simplified method for members to change and manage your mailing and physical address. Now you can list both your current mailing address and your physical address through your miAccount. Your physical address is where you actually live and your mailing address is where you wish to receive your mail.
If you have not yet set up your miAccount online, you may do so by clicking here.
The addition of this feature makes it easy for you to update your address throughout the year. It also helps the Office of Retirement Services and your insurance carriers to provide you with the information you need. If you need to make changes to your address, log in to miAccount then click Update Address & Phone.
If your physical address and mailing address are the same, then you don't need to update anything in miAccount. Please note, if you have a Power of Attorney on file with ORS, then your mail will always be sent to that address.
DID YOU KNOW:
* Michigan ranks 29th in the number of high schools earning gold and silver medals according to U.S.News and World Report. Out of 834 eligible high schools, Michigan has 10 gold medal high schools and 68 silver medal schools.
* The Parental Responsibility Act is on its way to the Governor for his signature. HB4041, sponsored by Rep. Al Pscholka (R-Stevensville), allows the state to take away cash assistance from a family if a child regularly misses too much school. The bill passed the Senate with a 26-12 vote.
* Medicare Turns 50: Expanding Health Security"In 1935 the passage of the original Social Security Act opened up a new era of expanding income secu
rity for our older citizens. Now, in 1965, we are moving once again to open still another frontier: that of health security. For an older person, good health is his most precious asset. Access to the best our doctors, hospitals, and other providers of health se
rvice have to offer is his most urgent need." - President Lyndon B. Johnson, April 8, 1965
MiARA (Michigan Alliance for Retired Americans) MEETING for GENERAL MEMBERSHIP
JUNE 17, 2015
MEA BUILDING, 1216 Kendale Blvd, East Lansing
11:00 a.m., lunch served
Judy Foster, Editor, MEA-Retired President
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