It will be considered for OPERS...when will it be considered for STRS...a retirement system whose healthcare situation is in worse shape than OPERS!

From RH Jones, March 21, 2013

To my fellow retired teachers: 

Concerning the PERI message below, this is not STRS news but could be some day. 

One wonders about the meaning of "an OPERS insurance 'connector' company." How will OPERS decide on who gets the "connector" insurance contract? Could PERS members after 2016 be forced to go to doctors they do not want treating them? This seems to be very foggy to me. I hope the PERI leaders and their members look into this carefully. 

RHJones  

From: <office@operi.org>
Date: Wed, Mar 20, 2013
Subject: Health Care Update fro PERI
Dear PERI Members 

At the OPERS Board Meeting on Wednesday March 20, 2013, their board took action to delay implementation of the Health Care "connector" transition until January 1, 2016. 

[The connector transition is the point where OPERS will no longer provide health care, but rather put dollars into a Health Retiree Account, so retirees can purchase their own insurance through an OPERS insurance connector company.] 

This means that our retirees and spouses will have the same insurance coverage for 2013, 2014, and 2015. 

The allowances will start being reduced in 2016 at the same rates as before. 

Medicare Part B reimbursement will remain on the original schedule, 100% of the $96.40 in 2014, 66% in 2015, 0% in 2017 and 0% thereafter. 

OPERS will be making this information available to all members on their website, and in a Comprehensive Guide update as quickly as possible.
William I. Winegarner, Administrator
Public Employee Retirees, Inc.
659-F Park Meadow Rd.
Westerville, Ohio 43081
614-891-6868 * 800-247-7374