OSA Newsline -- May 31, 2021

We will celebrate Memorial Day with a day off, but let us never forget those who died for us.

There has been no word on an early retirement incentive and that is getting upsetting. The Mayor has until the end of the month of June to opt in, and we hope that he will.

Other items of interest are covered in our current mailing which can be found on this website as the May OSA Newsletter. We are not sure when the regular mail will be delivered, but hopefully it will be this week, in most cases.

If you would like to listen to this newsline as an audio file, please click on this link:

AUDIO - May 31, 2021

OSA Newsline -- May 24, 2021

Our May mailing will be going out this week, but the U.S. Mail has slowed down somewhat, so we are not sure if it will arrive this week or next. Rob Spencer has already posted it on this website as the May 2021 OSA Newsletter, so for those in a hurry it is available.

The mail reports on the City's stalling tactics on negotiations and our decision to seek impasse. We no longer believe the City is negotiating in good faith and we are tired of their wasting time.

There is also a report on the Medicare Advantage proposal being negotiated. There is still, as of this writing, no final plan accepted, so this is an interim report.

If you would like to listen to this newsline as an audio file, please click on this link:

AUDIO - May 24, 2021

OSA Newsline -- May 11, 2021

Technical problems with our prior newsline has forced us into an abrupt change of carrier and, for now at least, a new hotline phone number, 646-233-5100.

We will see if we can reacquire the old number but, meanwhile, please make a note of the new one.

The union is working on a mailing that will discuss contract negotiations and the new Medicare Advantage proposal.

Please check back here or on the hotline after May 24th.

If you would like to listen to this newsline as an audio file, please click on this link:

AUDIO - May 11, 2021

OSA Newsline -- May 6, 2021

The proposed Medicare Advantage program for City retirees was discussed at great length at the recent meetings of the Municipal Labor Committee.

Due to changes initiated by the federal government, there will be a switch from the current GHI Senior Care program into a new plan. Since we have been generally very satisfied with the old plan, we have been worried about the changes that might occur.

These early May meetings have answered many of our questions - and the answers were generally reassuring. While nothing is final, the new plan will look a lot like the old plan. We will be keeping our doctors and, quite likely, all of our hospitals - and there will even be some improvements.

One clear disimprovement is an expected requirement for $15 copays for specialist visits, tests, therapy visits and visits to urgent care offices. That, however, was being proposed under the old plan as well. There is a saving grace in that the new plan has a total yearly out-of-pocket cap of $1500.

The other current out-of-pocket costs are as we are currently paying - a $253 total deductible and $300 if you stay overnight in the hospital.

The new $15 copay will be annoying, but so long as we can keep the rest of our benefits unchanged, it is bearable. There is also an expected decrease in the cost of Medicare Part D drug coverage. We may be saving $25 a month in drug rider premiums, so that is on the plus side.

All in all, while nothing is yet final, our retirees and retirees in training (the rest of us) can relax a bit about proposed changes.

If you would like to listen to this newsline as an audio file, please click on this link:

AUDIO - May 6, 2021

OSA Newsline -- May 5, 2021

If you called the phone hotline today, looking for the promised update, you no doubt found it very hard to understand the message. Our provider changed technologies very recently and, unfortunately, not for the better. We are in the process of identifying a solution for this unexpected problem. In the meantime, check back late on Thursday for an update here.

OSA Newsline -- May 3, 2021

This newsline will be updated this Wednesday. There are important meetings being held regarding the proposed switch from the current Medigap program for retirees to the new Medicare Advantage model.

Many active and retired members have called with their concerns since our health insurance coverage is important to us all.

We will be learning, by Wednesday, the latest details. We will share them then.

There has been no response recently from the City on our contract nor any word from the Mayor on early retirement.

If you would like to listen to this newsline as an audio file, please click on this link:

AUDIO - May 3, 2021