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February 2018 meeting

UNITED POLICE & FIRE RETIREES ASSOCIATION REPORT

no report this meeting

OLD BUSINESS:

.. More discussion was held regarding health insurance. President Marcely asked if anyone has had problems or concerns with their health insurance since the transition to Aetna. No one had any issues to report. President Marcely reminded members that their health care providers must include Medicare PPO on the claim to ensure the claim is processed under the correct coverage. President Marcely advised the members that the sale of POMCO to United Health Care (UHC) will not be complete until July of 2018. The sale was initially reported to be complete in May. Members (particularly those not covered by Medicare) will be receiving information in the mail in regards to the new change. There are no anticipated changes in coverage, however members should advise their respective health care providers of the change to ensure that particular provider will continue to participate under UHC.

NEW BUSINESS:

President Marcely reported the following:
.. President Marcely reported errors by the Syracuse Fire Credit Union regarding our account. The most recent was an unauthorized transfer of funds discovered by our Treasurer, Jack Schmidt. Syracuse Fire CU admitted the error was theirs. Upon review of the SFCU error, President Marcely determined that it would be in the best interest of our organization to close our account(s) with the SFCU and move the accounts to Summit Federal Credit Union. In addition Summit has multiple branches and their business hours are much more conducive for our organization to operate efficiently. Summit is the former Syracuse Police FCU
.. Gordie Lane reported that the Onondaga County Division for the Aging has a presentation that he feels would be beneficial to our membership. President Marcely agreed, and the County will give their presentation during our next meeting (April 2018). Brother Lane also reported on the various benefits available to the many veterans within our county, particularly within our organization. Veterans should take full advantage of the information and benefits as the need arises.
.. The Syracuse St. Patrick’s Day Parade will be Saturday, March 17th. We step off at 12:00 at Clinton Square. Prior to the parade there will be a gathering of active and retired members at J Ryan’s Pub on Montgomery and Water St. A second gathering after the parade will be held at Benjamin’s at W. Fayette and Walton St. All are encouraged and welcomed to participate.

GOOD & WELFARE:

President Marcely reported the following:
.. Gordie Lane advised the members that Brother Mike Conroy is currently receiving medical treatments and was unable to attend the meeting
.. President Marcely announced the celebration dates for recently retired SPD members: Brother Alp Lluckaci: March 7, Brother John Nolan: March 23, Brother Dave Sackett: March 28, Brother Kevin Corcoran: March 29, Brother Pete Payne: April 6

....... SURVIVORS SUPPORT GROUP .......

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Phyllis Lorenz - "To help others who experience the loss of their spouse, attending calling hours, help with paperwork or anything else that may be needed. We can assist in finding painters, handymen, contractors & yard work.

You can contact Phyllis via email at phylgeorge@aol.com

AIR 1 FOUNDATION

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Please help keep Air 1 flying.

The Air 1 Foundation website.

.......... IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL RETIREES ..........

AETNA-POMCO-PROACT

If you are under 65 yrs of age United Health Care is your insurance carrier
If you are 65 or older Aetna PPO is your health insurance carrier. Stating the PPO is important to your medical providers
Inform your medical provider to call the number on the back of your Aetna PPO card and not the providers usual Aetna number
You must notify your doctor/medical office to submit their bill to Aetna PPO & NOT Medicare.
Aetna will handle all transactions/billing/payments/coverage instead of Medicare.
You have the right to decline the Aetna Home Assessment Program Review
Some of the letters you receive from Aetna are generic Aetna items & have nothing to do with our Aetna PPO plan.
You MUST continue your current Medicare coverage & it's payment because Aetna is our contractor for Medicare.
Regardless of your age, ProAct is your prescription carrier.
If you are 65 or older... ProAct will send a new card/id that you must use for your prescription coverage.
Nothing is changing regarding coverage/co-payments, pharmacy choice, etc. It's just a new card/id you must use.
If you ANY questions or issues contact City Hall: 315.448.8788.

Covered under Part B of Medicare on the City of Syracuse Aetna Plan
..Flu shots, Diabetic testing strips (Lancets and test strips) and glucose meter. You can get both of these at the pharmacy.
..Use the Aetna ID card, which has the Member ID & Group number. Also provide BIN#610649 and PCN#03200004
..Those numbers allow the pharmacy to process the claim on the Pharmacy claim system even those are both medical benefits.
..You can also get Diabetes testing supplies mail order.
..You may also receive the flu shot at the doctors office using the Aetna ID card.
Covered under Part D of Medicare on the City of Syracuse Proact/Precise Plan
..Shingles Vaccine, Diabetes medications insulin. Please contact Proact

HELP FOR SENIORS

For information regarding help with your heating costs, click here
Onondaga County Dept of Adult & Long Term Care.. 315.435.3355
Info regarding Caregiver Servies, EISEP, HEAP, HIICAP, Community Service, Adult Protective Services, Mental Health Services, Veterans Services

MEDICARE (Part A & B)

SPD retirees are reminded that they MUST sign up for Medicare Part A & B when they become eligible
That is when they reach age 65 or are declared disabled by Social Security.
At that point, Medicare (Aetna) becomes your primary health insurance and the City's health plan becomes secondary

MEDICARE-DRUG PRESCRIPTION PLAN (Part D)

Our advice (both the local and state organizations) is DO NOT sign up for Part D-prescription coverage at this time.
If your former employer has prescription coverage, there is NO PENALTY to sign up later. Plus, employers are encouraged by the federal government to keep their prescription coverage. They can receive up to 28% reimbursement for their expenses.

NYS SAFE ACT & RETIREES EXEMPTION

We believe it only exempts retired officers from penalty of possessing large capacity magazines and/or assault type weapons if that retired officer was required to purchase that item by his agency when he was active as a Police Officer or was issued that item by his employer and allowed to keep it upon retirement. In both cases he must register that item within 60 days of retirement. Additionally he must have served at least 5 or more years with that agency and retired in good standing. He also must continually re-qualify with that weapon as required by law.
Link to actual section of the law

PISTOL PERMIT

You are now required to recertify your pistol permit. Here is the link to NYS Troopers website to do so.

Federal Law HR#218 allows retired police officers to carry firearms across state line
IF..You have your retired ID with you AND proof that you have qualified with that type weapon within the last 12 months
Any state firearms instructor may qualify you including any that may be found on our SPONSOR page

..An important aspect of Federal Law HR218 is to remember is that it IS NOT a Concealed Carry Permit
..It is an "Affirmative Defense" to a State charge of weapons possession and that must be raised and proven by the defendant. You lose this defense if you are under the influence of alcohol or another intoxicating or hallucinatory drug or substance. If you have a Concealed Carry Permit, consuming alcohol does not invalidate the Permit, but consuming alcohol does invalidate your HR218 meaning you are subject to a State charge of weapons possession.
..New York Penal Law 265.03, is very clear; if you are convicted of this offense there is a mandatory minimum sentence of 3.5 year in prison
.."A person is guilty of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the 2nd Degree pursuant to New York Penal Law 265.03(3) when that person possesses a loaded firearm (pistol, revolver, handgun, etc.) outside his or her home or place of business without a permit regardless of what the intent was".
..Under the laws of New York, loaded does not mean a clip in the gun or a bullet in the cylinder. If the firearm is capable of being loaded and the bullets are in the case with the gun or even in your pocket, you can still potentially be charged with this offense.

PROACT

..Maintenance drugs (those you take all the time) MUST be by mail order in 90 day supplies.
..PROACT will pay for the original fill and one refill on your prescriptions from the local pharmacy. After that point you will have to pay 100% or use PROACT.
..SOME drugs cannot be prescribed for more than 30 days. PROACT will continue to cover these.
..If your doctor is changing the dosage, that is a new prescription and can be filled at the pharmacy until the dosage is regulated

PROJECT LIFESAVER

Unique transmitter from the Onondaga County Sheriff's Office for Alzheimer's patients
Contact the OCSD at 407 S State St - Syracuse - (315)435-3044

TAX DEDUCTION FOR INSURANCE PREMIUM

If your health insurance premium is automatically taken from your NYS pension, you may deduct the premiums from the taxable portion of your tax return. You must remember to write PSO; (Public Safety Officer) on the line where you report the taxable amount of your pension. This does NOT apply to Medicare Premiums because they do not come out of your state pension nor does it apply to your state tax form because state pensions are not taxable.

SURVIVOR HEALTH INSURANCE

SPD retiree survivors may continue your health insurance plan for a monthly payment.
Contact City of Syracuse at 315-448-8788 for pricing of individual or family plans.

VETERANS

If you served 90 consecutive days (or one day wartime) in the US Army, Navy, Air Force or Marines you may be entitled to receive up to $6000 per month for a husband and wife towards nursing home expense or $1344 for assisted living
Contact the Veterans Administration for details

........ MEMBER BENEFITS & DISCOUNTS ........

All of the below offer a discount/benefit to you because of your membership.

SEE THEIR AD ON OUR SPONSOR PAGE FOR DETAILS

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STONE DENTAL & DENTISTRY

You have a dental discount available via their ad on our Sponsor Page.

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EDWARD DUNN .. ATTORNEY-at-LAW

He is offering his legal services, at a discount to our members. More information & link on our Sponsor Page.

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DENTAL NETWORKS CARD PROGRAM

This dental network is now available to you. More information on their Sponsor Page ad.

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ESCAPE TO THE HEART OF THE POCONO's

Your membership gives you this travel discount. Visit their site via our Sponsor Page

NATIONAL INCOME LIFE INSURANCE COMPANY

You have a free $4,000 A.D.&D. Benefit plus additional benefits available. See their Sponsor Page ad.