CSA LI RETIREES WELCOMES YOU

Vaccinations

Click here for general information on the city’s vaccination program, and click here to find vaccine sites in NYC. Please be aware, there have been technical difficulties with the registration process, the city will be addressing these issues.  FREE COVID HOME TESTS - Click on this link:   https://special.usps.com/testkits

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Vote By Mail – In New York State

In order to vote by mail, voters must still fill out and submit an application to receive an absentee ballot. 

To request an absentee ballot, you may fill out an absentee ballot application and check “temporary illness or physical disability” as the reason you are requesting an absentee ballot. You may request an absentee ballot as follows:

Applications for Absentee Ballots are available at your county board of elections. You may also download a PDF version of the New York State Absentee Ballot Application Form. Upon completion, applications must be mailed, emailed or faxed to your county board no later than the seventh day before the election or delivered in person no later than the day before the election

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Emblem Health at 212-501-4444, Blue Cross at 800-433-9592 and Express Scripts(Prescription Card) at 800-585-5786.

​Health Insurance Transfer period (Open Enrollment) during the month of November

Retirees can make changes to your health benefits once every two years. For changes to be made at other times of the year, a qualifying event must occur, such as a marriage, birth, adoption, etc., or once in a lifetime. During this window, retirees may make changes to your existing health care benefits, such as transfer into any city health plan for which you are eligible, add or drop the Optional Rider, or add or drop dependent(s).

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Social Security Letter and IRMAA

If you collect social security or if you are eligible for Medicare, you should have received a letter from Social Security the last week of November. SAVE THIS LETTER. You are going to need it when you request your 2023 IRMAA reimbursement in 2024.

Medicare Part B Premium: Your Medicare Part B premium is divided into 2 parts: the standard amount & IRMAA (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts). Everyone who is Medicare-eligible pays the same standard amount. For 2024, the standard amount is $174.70.per month,. The Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amounts (IRMAA) is a monthly surcharge that is deducted ONLY from those Medicare-eligible members whose taxable income (based on your 2023 income tax return) surpasses a certain threshold.

Payment of Medicare Part B Premium – Most Medicare members have their Part B premium electronically deducted from their Social Security Check. However, if you are NOT collecting Social Security (you may be waiting until you are old enough to receive full payment) you will receive a bill called “Notice of Medicare Premium Payment Due” (CMS-500)..

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Health Benefits Program Fall Transfer Period for Retirees – Open Enrollment - NYC Office of Labor Relations

The Fall 2024 Annual Health Benefits Program Transfer Period for retirees began November 1, 2024, and ends November 30, 2024. Health plan changes requested during the Transfer Period will be effective January 1, 2025, and the new pension deduction will begin with the retirees’ pension check in January 2024, if applicable.

Retirees who wish to make a change must complete the Health Benefits Program Retiree Application. Completed applications should be submitted to the NYC Health Benefits Program by November 30, 2024.

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Medicare Advantage Update

May 21, 2024, the Appellate Division affirmed the Supreme Court’s decision to block the city from switching current municipal retirees to Aetna’s Medicare Advantage plan. The city is appealing the decision, and another related case is pending in the NYS Court of Appeals.

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Aetna Medicare Advantage Plan Links

Visit cony.aetnamedicare.com to learn more about the Aetna’s Medicare Advantage plan or simply click here.

Finding your doctor and hospital: At the website above, click on the link that reads “Find your doctor or hospital” and then continue as a GUEST. The search tool works with zip code, specialty, and/or doctor/provider name.

Attending an Aetna webinar: At the website above, scroll all the way down to “Webinars and meetings” for a complete schedule or click here to download the Aetna pamphlet.

On the Aetna website, you will also find their list of prior authorizations and a summary of their plan, including information on prescription drugs with a lookup tool.

855-648-0389 is the direct line to Aetna for City of New York (CONY) workers only.  Call that number to ask questions about:

• Doctors/providers not showing in the look-up tool

• Questions about a coverage for a specific drug or procedure

• Locations of hospitals and urgent care centers in network

• Questions about prior authorizations

Susan Barone is the Administrator of the CSA Welfare Fund.  Together with Glenda Harry, Assistant Administrator and the entire Welfare Fund team they are here to serve members and are available to address all questions and concerns from 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday at (212) 962-6061 or through a contact form by clicking here.

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CSA Welfare Fund – Member Update –  LEGAL SERVICES

The law firm Feldman Kramer & Monaco (FKM), which is free of charge to fund participants, offers several free services as well as reduced fees for common transactions such as closing on a house.  A summary of the benefits provided by the plan is located here.  These documents are also available on our website www.csawf.org  Please call FKM at   (800) 832-5182 for more information or to schedule a consultation.

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