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GIC RAISES RETIRED TEACHER PREMIUM |
Impacts Those In Special State Program
MARCH 2010 VOICE: For the past forty years, a little known state law has allowed municipalities to insure their retired teachers under the state's Group Insurance Commission (GIC) health plans by local option.
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MAYORS WANT CONTROL OVER INSURANCE PLANS |
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MARCH 2010 VOICE: Amidst a staggering multi-billion dollar state budget deficit and tightened local budgets, municipal leaders are seeking dramatic changes to long-standing health insurance laws.
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WINDFALL FOR GIC TOWNS BUT NOT RETIREES |
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MARCH 2010 VOICE: Municipalities, that belong to the GIC, have received a windfall because of the program's increased copayments and deductibles. With these increases in retirees' out-of-pocket expenses, there has been a corresponding decrease in the monthly premiums for non-Medicare plans.
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RISING OUT-OF-POCKET COSTS CAUSE CONCERN |
Health Care Protections Sought
MARCH 2010 VOICE: There is growing concern, shared by Association and public officials alike, that recent increases in copayments and deductibles may place a severe financial hardship on retirees who suffer from chronic medical conditions.
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CONGRESS CONSIDERS REPRIEVE FOR MEDICARE "DIRECT-PAYS" |
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Would Not Have To Pay Increase In Part B Premium
JANUARY 2010 VOICE: Hopefully, the Congress will soon issue a reprieve to that group of members who are being forced to pay an increase in their Medicare Part B premium beginning January 1. Currently, legislation (H.R. 3631) is moving through the Congress that would stop any increase from taking effect.
As we reported earlier this fall (September Voice), members, who had to pay directly for Part B, would be hit with a higher premium. Beginning January 1, these "direct-pays" would have their Part B premium increase from the current $96.40 to $110.50 monthly.
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GIC RAISES COPAYMENTS & DEDUCTIBLES FEB 1 |
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Medicare Plans Not Impacted
JANUARY 2010 VOICE: Facing a $36 million deficit in the current Fiscal Year, the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) voted in November to increase copayments and deductibles on their non-Medicare plans effective February 1, 2010.
GIC officials point to an unexpected sharp increase in health care utilization as the cause of the deficit. For example, visits to the emergency room with flu-related symptoms are up 7% since July 1.
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LOCAL HEALTH INSURANCE REFORMS PENDING |
Retirees To Have Seat At TableJULY 2009: Following on the coattails of a groundbreaking legislative report that aims to control municipal healthcare costs through sweeping changes in the local insurance law (Chapter 32B), the state Senate has passed a provision, within its version of the FY'10 state budget, that significantly alters the governance of local insurance plans.
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Healthcare 
