Articles about Medicare that may be useful to Massachusetts retirees
Rising Costs & Affordability Main Concerns
SEPTEMBER 2019: Earlier this year, Mass Retirees filed six separate legislative proposals relative to health insurance benefits for public retirees and surviving spouses. Known as “bills”, these proposals are now before various legislative committees where public hearings are held, followed by detailed analysis by committee staff.
Mass Retirees Opposes Voucher-Like Scheme
SEPTEMBER 2019: For more than a decade, public retirees have found their health insurance benefits under near constant siege by those looking to cut costs and reduce government spending. Through it all, Mass Retirees has often found itself engaged as the last line of defense against proposed cuts and changes that would negatively impact public retirees and survivors.
1.9% Increase for Popular OME Plan
MARCH 1, 2019: On Thursday the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC) delivered good news to the more than 82,000 retirees and surviving spouses insured under its Option Medicare Extension (OME) plan. For Fiscal Year 2020, UniCare OME premiums will increase a meager 1.9% over the current year.
No Increases In Copays & Deductibles
FEBRUARY 8, 2018: The state’s Group Insurance Commission has unanimously approved health insurance plan design for FY19, covering all six carriers and slightly lowering costs for some enrollees. Heeding calls from Mass Retirees and all public employee/teacher unions, copayments and deductibles will not increase for the coming year.
Standard Monthly Payment Now $134
With the official news this fall that Social Security would be paying a 2.0% COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustment) in 2018, members may have been looking forward to some extra money in their SS check. This 2% COLA will produce an average increase of $27 in monthly SS benefits next year.
Potential 3-Year Savings May Exceed $700 Million
Retirees Caution Against Cost Shifts & Benefit Erosion
The September edition of the Voice not only captured the attention of Association members, but also that of elected officials and the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC).
Beginning this past July 1, the GIC’s SilverScript prescription drug program has expanded its enrollment. In addition to OME (Optional Medicare Extension) enrollees, SilverScript now provides prescription drug coverage to those retirees enrolled in the GIC’s Harvard Medicare Enhance, Health New England MedPlus and Tufts Medicare Complement plans.
Medicare Part B Also Expected To Rise
October 17, 2017: It’s now official. Just yesterday the Social Security Administration (SSA) announced that the 2018 COLA (Cost-of-Living Adjustment) for Social Security beneficiaries will be 2.0%, starting with benefits paid this coming January. This 2% COLA will produce an average increase of $27 in monthly SS benefits next year.
As printed by the Washington Post, March 24th.
Is the Republican health-care plan a return to freedom or a watered-down version of Obamacare? Will Republicans placate their base with a major legislative achievement, or will this be the party’s undoing for a generation of voters?
We’ve published the most incisive arguments from health experts and our columnists in the two weeks since Republicans unveiled this bill. As the debate reaches a climax, we’re giving you a guide to that commentary — pro and con, divided by subject matter:
Since 1968 the Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association has been the leading voice for Massachusetts public retirees and their families. Join with our 52,000 members as we continue the fight.
