Chair Talk
February 2006
I have been informed that those retirees that were involuntarily moved from an HMO to the State Health Plan PPO effective January 1, 2006 still had HMO premium payments taken from their January retirement payments. Since hearing about this problem I called Peggy Moczul (Director of Employee Benefits) and was told that the fault lies with the Office of Retirement Services. Apparently, the information required by ORS to make the change was sent timely to that office from Employee Benefits but ORS did not enter the changes in their computer program prior to the January payment disbursal. Peggy, upon hearing about the problem, then talked to ORS about the issue. Peggy was told by ORS that an adjustment would be made to the February retirement payments. In the event that you have been affected by this error and the adjustment is not made in your February retirement payment please call me (810-240-8380) and we will address the issue.
I received a call from Peggy Moczul to schedule a meeting with OSE and Employee Benefits to discuss Health Care options/proposals. This meeting (the first of many) is scheduled for Wednesday, February 8. SERA will probably have at least 4 representatives at the meeting. We will be exploring the possibility of using a Medicare Advantage plan with the State Health Plan PPO. We do not have all the information as yet as to how this program will work and whether it will be beneficial to state retirees.
The State will be looking at various ways to reduce health care costs. As I have said many times: Health Care issues are the greatest facing retirees whether in the private or public sector.
Editor’s note: Bob Kopasz is Chair of the Michigan SERA Council. He may be reached at P.O. Box 692, Mt. Morris, MI 48458; phone 810/240-8380
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