The future is now... Get behind the wheel of UPMA
The future is now...Get behind the wheel of UPMA

UPMA Retired- The Backbone of the UPMA

Federal Benefits Open Season

(Federal Employees Health Benefits and Federal Employees Dental & Vision Insurance Programs)
November 13, 2023 through December 11, 2023

This is the only notification you will receive regarding Open Season

If you are satisfied with your current health plan, you do not need to do anything

Access to Open Season Online requires enrolling into Login.gov, which is the Government's secure login tool. Once you register with Login.gov, you will use your Login.gov credentials to sign-in to Open Season Online. With your Login.gov account, you can securely connect to multiple government accounts online.

It's quick and easy to request health benefit changes and plan information.
- Go to Open Season Online at https://retireefehb.opm.gov
- Call Open Season Express at 1-800-332-9798
- Write to us at:    FEHB Open Season Processing Center
  P.O. Box 5000
  Lawrence, KS 66046-0500

For General Open Season information, click the above link to use Live Help or send a secure webmail message.

For information on comparing health plans visit http://www.opm.gov/healthcare-insurance/healthcare/plan-information/compare-plans.

For more information regarding the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's requirement visit www.irs.gov/uac/Questions-and-Answers-on-the-Individual-Shared-Responsibility-Provision.

For information on the Federal Employees Dental & Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP) visit the secure enrollment website www.benefeds.com or call 1-877-888-3337, TTY 1-877-889-5680.

For more information on Open Season or health care reform legislation, visit www.opm.gov/insure.

For information on Medicare, visit www.medicare.gov.

If you are having trouble reading this email you may copy and paste the following link into a web browser's address bar: https://retireefehb.opm.gov

Healthcare Plan Information For Ohio - OPM.gov

 

Open the link above ^ for more information on Medicare choices this year.

 

 

MEDICARE OR NOT:                                                             10/21/23

Being a postal employee has numerous perks and benefits with one of the most significant ones being your FEHB (health insurance). But as people approach age 65, Medicare comes into the picture and presents numerous decisions to make concerning health benefits. Here is a link that addresses Medicare and FEHB for all federal employees:  Do You Really Need Medicare and FEHB as a Federal Employee? (be sure to scroll to top) Medicare Part A is free, paid for through payroll deductions when you worked. For Medicare Part B, you pay a premium. The chart in the above link is outdated; the 2024 Medicare Part B premiums are attached. (Thanks Bill Tierney). 

 

MEDICARE COST TO INCREASE: Bill Tierney                               10/13/23

The standard monthly premium for traditional Medicare Part B coverage, which encompasses physician care, outpatient services and medical equipment, will be $174.70 in 2024, up from $164.90 this year. Medicare enrollees may see higher premiums based on their income. For more information: https://www.axios.com/2023/10/13/medicare-premiums-set-to-rise-in-2024 or https://www.myfederalretirement.com/.

MEDICARE REIMBURSEMENTS: Linda Carter                                     10/21/23

Many insurance providers under the FEHB program give annual reimbursements to help offset the cost of Medicare Part B; I can only speak personally about BCBS because that is what I have. For those who have BCBS BASIC (less expensive premiums), the reimbursement in 2023 is $800. The reimbursement is not available for BCBS STANDARD (the most expensive premium, and what most of us had during career and until eligible for Medicare Part B). Once enrolled in Medicare Part B, it is not necessary to carry the additional coverage in BCBS Standard as Medicare Part B becomes your primary insurance, and BCBS is secondary. You are encouraged to talk to your Federal BCBS representative, who will (in most cases) advised you to switch to Basic. Open Season November 14 – December 12, 2023. 

HOW TO GET THE REIMBURSEMENT: from Linda Carter                 10/21/23

Basic Option members who have Medicare Part A and Part B can get up to $800 with a Medicare Reimbursement Account. All you have to do is provide proof that you pay Medicare Part B premiums.  If your premium is deducted from your Social Security, you should use the Social Security Cost of Living statement received annually, usually in November for the following year. Each eligible active or retired member on a contract with Medicare Part A and Part B, including covered spouses, can get their own $800 reimbursement. Here is the information, along with the links to apply for reimbursements: https://www.fepblue.org/our-plans/medicare/medicare-reimbursement.  If this is your first request for reimbursement, you must register first. Pay close attention to how to determine your four-digit ID Code on page 2 of the attachment. If you are already registered, it takes less than 5-minutes to apply for the reimbursement. Let me know if I can help: Linda Carter 919-323-6595. 

Ohio UPMA Retired fall meeting  Oct. 2023

Our fall meeting always begins with a chance to meet and mingle. We play Euchre and Bingo. Just look at the smiles on your fellow retirees. If you've never attended, please consider joining next year. It is a wonderful chance to renew friendships and catch up on our busy retired lives.

Our Meeting

Of course, we do hold an official meeting of the OhioUPMA Retired, The usual reports are given along with an update from President LouStuckey. Our guest speaker this year was Allen Perry. Allen is an Federal Employee Benefit Specialist . He spoke to us about the upcoming changes to our Postal Service Health Benefits. 

Our OhioUPMA Retired Officers

President Lou Stuckey 

Treasurer Tracie Gebhart

 

We were provided with the treasurers report and minutes from the convention meeting, (your retirees meet twice a year, at our state convention and this fall meeting).

Allen Perry

This year's guest speaker

Allen is an Federal Employee Benefit Specialist with "MyFedBenefits"

 

Allen spoke to the membership about upcoming changes to our Postal Service Health Benefits. They go into effect in 2025. He advises us all to pay attention to upcoming information.

 

Allen addresses the membership

  

He provided quite a bit of information regarding social security, Medicare and the changes coming to health benefits.

 

Allen Perry

513-201-8679

myfedbenefitshelp.com

Did we mention PIE ?

The great turnout for the fall meeting is of course, the food. Served family style. Plenty of good  chicken beef and sides. If you go home hungry it is your own fault. 

   And these pies...delicious...and several are presented as door prizes.

Hello everyone,                                                                               9/28/23

I just found out today that Bill Landman's wife passed away on Aug 28.  I apologize for the late notice and feel bad for not knowing at the time.  If anyone would like to send a card, his address is 552 Landman Rd, Waverly OH 45690-9548.  Bill served as our chaplain for a number of years.  And for those of you who are planning to attend our luncheon next Wed you will get a chance to talk with Bill there as he is planning to attend.  The link for Shirley Landman is below.

Hope to see you in Plain City!
Sara

Click on this Link to the Federal Retirement Newsletter:

 

https://www.myfederalretirement.com/ira-contirbutions-secure-act/

 

webmaster:

Jordan Davenport

mlna43452@gmail.com

we are on Facebook too;

UPMA Ohio Chapter

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