MEDICARE CORNER Open Enrollment ends December 7, 2015. Changes to be effective January 1, 2016 If you receive your Health Coverage and/or Drug Benefits through the following agencies, contact your Union Benefits Administrator before making changes in your Health or Drug coverage: • New York City Office of Labor Relations Health Benefits Program • Federal Health Retiree Program • Railroad Retirement Board • Tri Care • NY State Coverage Costs for Medicare Health and Drug Plans changes annually. If you were enrolled in Medicare in 2015 your plan will soon send you the following. Review this information carefully to see if your plan will meet your needs for 2016. Evidence 0f Coverage (EOC) A description of your rights, benefits and coverage Annual Notice of Change (ANOC) Gives you a summary of cost that will take effect January 2016 Summary of Benefits Gives more detailed information about your cost sharing and benefits List of Covered Drugs (Formulary) It informs you of changes in drug cost and restrictions. A complete list of covered drugs, restrictions and costs can be found on the Prescription Drug Plan (PDP) websites. Notice of Change in Benefit Coverage You will also receive detailed information from your Welfare Fund Benefits Coordinator regarding changes in your benefits and coverage Medicare Part B premium payments and deductibles 2016 To get the most updated 2016 amounts for Medicare Part B premiums and deductible call 1-800-633-4227 2016 Income Related thresholds remains $85,000 -/$170,000 There will be no Social Security Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) for 2016 Most people would still pay $104.90 Due to “Hold Harmless Provision Rule” that protects against deflation decreasing the recipient’s Social Security Benefits You may be protected by the “Hold Harmless Protection Rule” if: • You were receiving Social Security Benefits in 2015 • Medicare Part B Premiums were deducted from your Social Security Benefits in 2015 • Medicare Part B Premiums will be deducted from your Social Security Benefits in 2016 • You are not paying higher Part B Premiums due to Income Related Maximum Adjusted Amounts (IRMAA) Higher Income You are not protected by the Hold Harmless Protection Rule if: • You are new to Medicare • You are a Higher Income Beneficiary and/or are subject to IRMAA NOTE: If you qualify for the Hold Harmless Provision Rule, but pay a late Part B enrollment penalty, you may still pay a higher Part B Premium due to the calculation of the Late Enrollment penalty with the Higher Part B Premiums for 2016 MEDICARE PART D 2016 • Part D Deductibles $360 • Initial Coverage Limit $3,310 • True Out Of Pocket Threshold (TROOP) $4,850 Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy Caps $1,940 Automatic Exceptions for certain conditions or situations extended through 2017 LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS • Remove Social Security Numbers from Medicare Cards • Remove for New Beneficiaries • Phase-in over several years for existing Beneficiaries Medicare to provide notices to those nearing Medicare eligibility Notices to include information about coordination of benefits and delaying enrollment 10 North Shore Towers Courier n November 2015 Your Domestic Violence Awareness Month donations help women and children BY SUSAN BARTLESTONE October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM). Every year, an estimated four million people from every race, economic status, gender (though most are women) and age group are victims of domestic in Queens, Manhattan, Brooklyn and The Bronx. Last year, almost 300 women and children attended and were treated to a delicious lunch and holiday presents. I’m collecting again this year and am asking anyone in the North Shore Towers community interested in contributing toiletries, such as shampoo, soap, toothpaste, toothbrushes, shower caps, small hair brushes (travel samples are perfect in this regard); unused cosmetic samples; school supplies, such as pens, pencils and drawing implements; new or gently-used children’s books and new toys to leave them for me with the Concierge in Building 3. I’ll be accumulating items the whole month of October AND November. If anyone would like more information about this, call 718-225-9284. Domestic Violence Advocacy Consultant Susan Bartelstone has been a resident of North Shore Towers for 21 years. In addition to being an active member of the Political Action Committee, she’s also a member of the Women’s Club and University Club. Bartelstone is a nationally-respected Domestic Violence Advocacy Consultant and Crime Prevention Specialist, former host of the award-winning radio show Crime Prevention 101 and former Chairperson of Domestic Violence Initiatives Taskforce for the prestigious New York Women’s Agenda. Her tips and articles have been featured in a long list of media including Yahoo Home Page, MainStreet.com, Time Out New York and the Today Show. For more information, see www.domesticviolence101.info, crimeprevention101.com or email [email protected]. A Worthy Susan Bartlestone violence and abuse. Another sad fact is that most of the women and children in domestic violence shelters leave their homes with little or nothing but the clothes on their backs and the shelters must supply them with everything. For the past two years, in conjunction with DVAM, I, as a member of the NST Political Action Committee, collect donations of travel samples and other supplies for the Pilgrim Cathedral of Harlem which throws a wonderful Holiday Party for women from DV shelters Cause BY FELICE HANNAH WHAT’S NEW IN 2016? NEXT MEDICARE CORNER: Programs to lower your prescription costs. Your cost sharing (what you pay) for Medicare A and B in 2016.
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