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Agawam’s Retirees Achieve First Victory
JULY 2001 - New Organization Off and Running - Among the several local organizations, to which many of our members belong, is the Agawam Retired Employees Association (AREA).AREA was formed by a group of Agawam retirees and survivors for the purpose of improving benefits for former workers of that Western Massachusetts city.
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Ban On Balance Billing Saves State Millions
JULY 2001 - GIC Uses Law To Set Market Rates - Nearly five years after the Association successfully battled the Mass Hospital Association and Medical Society to institute a ban on balance billing under the state’s insurance plans, the Group Insurance Commission has utilized the law (Chapter 80, Acts of 1996) to save nearly $85 million over the past three years.Chapter 80 was originally passed to prevent doctors, hospitals and other medical providers within Massachusetts from charging members, insured under the state plan, for the balance left unpaid by the GIC. Expanding on this prohibition, Chapter 80 has allowed the GIC to institute a Market Based Reimbursement System (MBRS) for paying medical providers.
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Despite Strong Interest Dental Plan Is Delayed
JULY 2001 - Crafting Affordable Coverage Proves Challenging - Members, who had hoped to have retiree dental benefits made available to them this year, will have to wait a little longer. The ambitious effort by the state Group Insurance Commission and the Association to craft a dental plan, to be implemented this July, has been delayed until July 1, 2002.It has been determined that, in order to develop an affordable dental plan, that can be purchased by a large number of retirees, more time will be needed. On the other hand, efforts are underway to offer discounted vision care to retirees beginning later this year.
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Dental Survey: Initial Results Show Strong Interest
MAY 2001 - For the past several months, the Association has been working closely with the state Group Insurance Commission and the consultant Boston Benefit Partners to develop a retiree dental/vision plan. A key component to this work is a survey of retirees, which is nearing completion.
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Prescription Copayments Draw Attention
MAY 2001 - Insurance Committee Fast To Act - It should come as no surprise to members that issues regarding prescription drugs remain a hot topic on Beacon Hill. In fact, so much interest has been drawn to the topic that the Joint Committee on Insurance addressed two of the more pressing bills at the Committee’s maiden hearing on March 20.Chaired by Senator Therese Murray (D-Plymouth) and Representative Ronald Mariano (D-Quincy), the joint committee was quick to act favorably on H3353 filed by Rep. Robert Koczera (D-New Bedford). The bill requires the Group Insurance Commission to establish an appeal process to address complaints regarding the new three-tiered copayment system.
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Whately Votes To Pay 50% Of Insurance
MAY 2001 - Voters in the small western Mass. town of Whately, population 1,470, have voted to pay 50% of their retirees’ health insurance. Previously, retirees paid the full cost.
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GIC Keeps Insurance Rates In Check
MAY 2001 - State Increase Well Below National Average - For the second straight year, members insured under the state Group Insurance Commission’s Indemnity or OME plans will see a very small increase in their monthly premium. In contrast, most members, insured under one of the various HMOs, will see a double-digit increase in their monthly premium for the second straight year.
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