ALBANY BUS TRIP MINUTES, FROM BILL ROMAKA:

[ APRIL 15, 2024 ]

Remember how they pushed Right to Work as advantageous to Workers, before it became widely known as the Right to Work for Less?  Well, we are back to those name games with the Medical Advantage that will become to be known as the Medical Disadvantage, as they ply you with Bells and Whistles, but hold back the authorizations for needed medical procedures.  What do you expect when it's a For Profit organization?

        On April 15th, I represented the RMA on a Bus trip up to Albany.  Marianne Pizzitola had two buses (One from Queens and one from Manhattan) and brought close to 100 retired members with us.  We also had our Staten Island Retirees drive up in cars.  Once we arrived we were all given Shirts to identify us, and signs to "Save our Medicare" and others.  There were a few hundred retired members there in support of NYS A7866/S8388, which will protect retirees' health benefits from being diminished.  There was a News Conference where our Politicians and others spoke in favor of the Bill.  After the News Conference, we all did some lobbying at the Capitol.  I also met with the NYSPFFA President to get their support for this Bill which will affect every retiree in NYS.

            Once the State passes their budget, this Bill is hoped to be put forth.  We will monitor it, and ask you to make phone calls to our representatives to help get this passed.  Stay tuned!

~Bill Romaka~

6/30/24: (UPDATE AS OF 6/30/24-UNFORTUNATELY THESE TWO BILLS HAVE DIED ON THE FLOOR, HOWEVER THEY WILL BE RE-SUBMITTED ON 1/1/25)

 Protects the health insurance benefits of retirees of public employers and contributions of retirees of public employers 

OH YES! WE HAVE REPRESENTATIVES IN THE NEW YORK STATE ASSEMBLY & SENATE THAT WANT TO HELP US PROTECT OUR HEALTHCARE AND WE NEED YOU, TO HELP US GET THE WORD OUT.

Contact your Representative in the NY State Senate & Assembly to Support these Bills. To Contact your Rep, Click Here<

The following is a letter from Mike Fahy of Nat'l 1013:

Hello All

There is still no action needed on the Health Protection Bill. They are both doing very well and currently there are 34 Senators signed on as co-sponsors of Senate Bill S8388b and 83 Assembly-members signed on as co-sponsors of Assembly Bill A07866b.

There was a rally in Albany to show support for these bills on April 15th. The rally was spearheaded by the NYC Organization of Public Services Retirees. Senators and Assembly-members spoke at the rally as well as leaders of retired and active organizations. After the rally everyone worked the halls and offices in the Capital Building to garner the support of additional senators and assembly-members.

The most significant part of the Rally for me was the diversity of retirees and organizations that participated in the rally and the door knocking afterwards. The potential strength of unity for political action was put on display at this Rally. There are hundreds of thousands of public service retirees living in New York State. Collectively that means political power that could be a force to be reckoned with. We have so much in common under the umbrella of public service retirees and we need to continue to build bridges and form alliances where we can help each other to protect and enhance the lives of retirees.

As always, thank you and yours

Regards,

Mike Fahy

National 1013

~UPDATE 6/30/24-HOPEFULLY IN JANUARY WE WILL RE-SUBMIT THE BILL(S) AND GET THEM BACK ON FAVORABLE GROUND, THEY WILL HAVE DIFFERENT IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS SO STAY TUNED ON HOW YOU CAN HELP~

DEVA stands for Dependent Eligibility Verification Audit

New York City Health Benefits Program Dependent Eligibility Verification Audit (DEVA)    

Answers to Frequently Asked Questions about DEVA:  

Question #1:  What is the Dependent Eligibility Verification Audit (DEVA) audit?  Why is it being  conducted? Answer:  The New York City Health Benefits Program provides health coverage for members and eligible family members (dependents).  The Dependent Eligibility Verification Audit (DEVA) is used to confirm the continuing eligibility of those dependents.  

Question #2:  Why aren’t my children listed as dependents on the notice? Answer:  This audit is limited to confirming the eligibility of dependent spouses and domestic partners.  

Question #3:  Why did I receive a DEVA audit notice and my co-worker did not? Answer:  The DEVA audit is being conducted over a five-year period.  Notices are sent in batches to a randomly selected group.  Not everyone will receive a notice at any given time.  

Question #4:  Will I be subject to discipline or fines if my dependent is found ineligible or I voluntarily drop the dependent? Answer: No. Members will be held harmless as a result of the DEVA Audit.  Question #5:  How will OLR ensure the privacy and confidentiality of my submitted documentation? Answer:  OLR uses a system called LeapFILE for you to send your documents securely.  LeapFILE uses several layers of security to ensure confidentiality during the file transfer process.  Files are uploaded by you, and downloaded by OLR, from the service using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), which is an encryption-based internet security protocol.  

Question #6:  Can I redact (cover-up) the information on my tax returns that is not needed for this audit? Answer:  Yes. You may redact any information that is not needed for the DEVA Audit. However, please do not redact the last 4 digits of your Social Security Number, name of spouse, familial relationship, or address.  Question #7:  What if I do not have the documentation being requested? Answer: Please submit the best combination of documents you have to confirm your dependent’s eligibility.  If you have questions, please call the hotline at (212) 306-7256.  

Question #8:  Can I receive additional time to obtain the documentation requested? Answer: If you are having trouble meeting the deadline, please call the hotline at (212) 306-7256.  

Question #9:  I just submitted this same information a few years ago, why do I have to do this again? Answer: Eligibility is a continuing requirement.  Even if you submitted documents in the past, you must submit current documents in response to this audit.      

Question #10:  Should I send originals of my documentation?  Answer: No. Please keep all originals of the documentation that you submit.  Question #11:  Will I receive confirmation from the NYC Health Benefits Program that my form and documentation was received? Answer: Yes. You will receive a confirmation letter by regular mail.  Question #12: Can I communicate with you by email? Answer: Yes. Please send e-mails to healthbenefits@olr.nyc.gov.  Please do not include full social security numbers in your email correspondence.  Question #13: Will I receive notice of any change in my dependent's health coverage as a result of this audit? If so, when? Answer:  Yes. You will receive notice of any change before it becomes effective.  Question #14: If I receive notice that my dependent will be dropped from City health coverage can I submit additional information after the deadline to have them reinstated? Answer: The audit seeks to confirm eligibility.  If at any point documents are submitted that demonstrate eligibility, the dependent will be reinstated effective retroactively to the termination date. 

Not everyone will receive this audit but if you do you must provide the information requested.