Good morning. I am Dan MacDonald, an STRS retiree with 38 years of service. I am also the Executive Director of Local 279-R, NEO AFT retirees. Welcome to the newly seated board members. Today I handed a HIPAA letter, not STRS HIPAA form, along with the billing complaint to the Deputy Executive Director of Member Benefits and Chief Benefits Officer [oh, one can’t use names in this portion of the meeting]. The last time I did this, about two months ago, there was no contact with the member or me. STRS has the power to get answers from our benefit providers when STRS so desires. Only recently has the benefits department not addressed issues that I have brought forth. Some of my members are not able to travel to this forum.
They do call AETNA and Express Scripts but are not satisfied with opaque answer they received, if any. They also call STRS and are not happy with the answer they received. This particular retiree is concerned because AETNA is billing $25.00 instead of $15.00 for appointments with her primary care physician. She admits for one reason or another, on the facility end, that she met with a physician’s assistance or a nurse practioner, but is questioning a $25 co-pay. Ten dollars is not much for some of us, but is a world of difference to others. The appointment was for her PCP. According to the retiree, she has not gotten an answer through AETNA nor STRS.
In another case, no HIPAA letters being presented, Express Scripts desires a pre-authorization. The retiree has sought in the past pre-authorization and is now seeking again. She’s called Express Scripts who said they have the doctor’s info and are working on it; she called STRS and was told there was nothing they could do.
On a different note, at last month’s Board meeting, committee assignments were made. I gather that an auditor’s report suggested one thing, but the Board acted in a different direction on the advice of the STRS legal counsel that there was nothing “illegal” about the appointment. I am hoping from this Board on, an explanation of why an auditor’s advice not be followed be questioned during the Board’s meeting other than it is not “illegal.” Transparency or organizational manipulation?
At June’s Board meeting, a one-hour lunch turned into 2.5-hour Executive Session break completed with a rushed motion to amend the executive director’s employment agreement. No discussion. The agenda certainly didn’t indicate anything but the Investment Department report was to be happening. Silence from all Board members except for the motion and vote. No public discussion. Transparency or organizational manipulation?
In conclusion, I’d like to thank a Board member for his article, The STRS Propaganda Machine, for his thorough explanation of an issue to which he is constantly being cut short. [I’d have preferred a different title.] I’d suggest to figure a way the article be presented and placed in the Board minutes. Perhaps a motion. Would that address transparency or organizational manipulation?
As always, actives need their benefits enhanced and retires need their COLA restored.
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