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News & Events

OSURA EVENTS

  • Winter Festival of Lights (Oglebay, West Virginia) on November 12: There may be space available if you act quickly as the deadline for registration is October 12.  In addition to the beautiful lights, trip includes buffet meal, miniature train and laser light show, and Oglebay’s famous specialty shops.  Group departs from Fawcett Center at 9:00 a.m.; cost is $78.
  • “Conversations and Coffee” at the Columbus Cultural Arts Center on October 30:  OSURA will join a weekly event, where several Cultural Arts faculty will discuss their work. Box lunches will be served, followed by a tour of the classes which will give you an overview of the Cultural Arts Center and its classes which are available to any, from beginners to advanced.  Depart 11:00 a.m. from Fawcett Center (carpool).  Cost of $9 includes admission and box lunch in addition to compensation to carpool drivers. 
  • These events are full:

Branson Christmas, November 30-December 6
La Comedia Dinner Theatre, December 12
France Magnifique, April 23-May 4

HEALTH CARE OPEN ENROLLMENT PERIODS

OPERS (Ohio Public Employees Retirement System) –  October 1-31
STRS-Ohio (State Teachers Retirement System of Ohio) –  November 1-25

Representatives from both systems presented updates for 2009 at OSURA’s Coping with Change XI conference on September 25.  Here are some of them (for more information, contact the System directly –  links are on this web site):

OPERS
Coverage and deductibles for 2009 will have few changes from 2008.  All changes for 2009 must be submitted by October 31, 2008, either by mail using the Open Enrollment Materials sent to members or, in some instances, by phone to OPERS (1-800-645-5677).

Highlighted items include:

  • Lifetime maximums for health care increased from $2.5 million to $3 million in 2008.
  • Non-formulary medication co-pays apply when a generic is available but not requested.
  • Medicare reimbursement for 2009 is $94.40.
  • Dependent premiums will increase slightly in 2009.
  • Incidences of repeated excessive delivery times for Express Scripts prescription orders should be reported to OPERS.

Individuals covered under Aetna Medicare Open Plan and Aetna Medicare Advantage may be eligible for free gym membership at participating fitness centers, including selected YMCAs.  Check with fitness centers to determine if they participate in the program.  Medical Mutual does not offer a similar program.

Aetna Open Wellness Plan offers coaching programs addressing smoking, obesity, exercise, diet, stress, high blood pressure, diabetes, and osteoporosis.  Individuals successfully completing the year-long program receive $100 on account to pay for unreimbursed medical expenses.

Other points to note:

  • Health care plans include one routine physical exam/calendar year up to $100; Aetna Medicare Open Plan pays at 100 percent of cost.  Exam and tests must be billed by the physician as “routine” not “diagnosis” or “follow-up,” to be covered by health plans.  Tests allowed and paid for as yearly physical include PAP, PSA, EKG, colonoscopy, mammogram, bone density and blood test. 
  • Flu and pneumonia vaccines are covered.
  • Shingles vaccine is covered by Medical Mutual, but not by Aetna Medicare Open Plan.
  • Aetna Medicare Open Plan covers one yearly hearing and vision exam. 
  • Both Aetna and Medical Mutual cover emergency treatment in other states and other countries.
  • If moving and not on Medicare, check with Aetna or Medical Mutual for network physicians and hospitals in the area.

STRS-OH


The main areas addressed were:
1.   Measures that have been necessary, and still continue, in order to stabilize STRS-OH health care funds (e.g., changes to premium subsidies, disease management programs, promotion of generic drugs, and introduction of the Basic Plan (with preventive services covered at 100 percent).
2.   Plan changes and cost savings [e.g., a new over-the-counter (OTC) co-payment option for proton          pump inhibiter (PPI) medications].
3.   Voluntary tablet splitting -  an Rx writing plan arranged with your doctor for double strength tablets, which are then split for use (could save enrollees $225,000, and the Health Care Stabilization Fund $500,000 to meet other health care needs).
4.   The current list of Medicare Part B eligible drugs and supplies – with $0 co-payment (effective
      August 1, 2008).
5.   The 2009 Health Care Program - All 2008 plans offered by STRS Ohio will be available again in 2009 (i.e., Aetna, Medical Mutual, AultCare, and the others), although details within your plan may     be changed, and should be checked).


6.   Non-Medicare re-employed benefit recipients must certify with STRS-OH that their employer does not offer health care coverage (as defined by STRS-OH guidelines), or lose health care coverage on December 31, 2008.
7.   The Health Care Assistance Program (beginning January 1, 2009), which pertains to certain of the survivors now beyond 5 years of their primary benefit recipient’s death (annual income and liquid asset limits to qualify can be obtained by contacting STRS-OH).
8.   Health Care Open Enrollment for 2009:  November 1–25, 2008.   STRS-OH retirees will receive their materials soon to review and to decide on any changes they may want to make for the coming year, e.g., choice of provider, and choices within the plans each offers (e.g., co-payments, co-insurance, deductibles, out-of-pocket maximums, life-time coverage limitations, and monthly premiums).
9.   Among the Open Enrollment materials to be received shortly, will be details of both the dental and vision care plans to be offered (note that once enrolled in a dental and/or vision plan(s), enrollees will be required to remain enrolled through December 31, 2010, regardless of the need for services).
10.  For current details on Wellness Preventative Services (e.g. deductible and coinsurance differences between Plus and Basic plans, pricing differences among retailers, importance of showing your Express Scripts ID card, on-line manufacturer coupons, availability and use of generic drugs…), check with STRS-OH.

Notes:  

  • The Medicare Part B Reimbursement (against the Part B base premium of $96.40), is service years dependent (the subsidy maximum, for a 30+ year retiree, is $52.83 from STRS-OH). *
  • Non-Medicare benefit recipients may want to review closely Aetna Plus Plan vs. Medical Mutual Plus         Plan premium costs, when making their 2009 health care choices.