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LATEST NEWS

CHIROPRACTORS

President Marcely note:

the question came up about United Healthcare Medicare Advantage plan covering chiropractor visits. Unlike medical doctor or specialist visits, the plan does allow for $15 co-pay for chiropractors. I know this applies to City retirees; I can only surmise that it applies to County retirees since they went in together on the bids.

SCHOLARSHIPS MAY MEETING

The Retirees Association will be awarding two (2) $500 scholarships at the May meeting. This is limited to children or grandchildren of members in good standing, attending (or will be attending) college or trade school in the fall. Please submit, student's name, relationship to member, contact info (address to send check and/or phone#) and school attending. Sorry only ONE entry per student (No batman, they cannot win both scholarships).

APR 2021 MEETING

Correspondence:

none to report

NY Police & Fire Report

Brother Pete Ruzcask was present and advised the members of a raffle sponsored by the Yonkers NY chapter of the NY Police and Fire Retiree Association. The cost of three raffle tickets was $20.00. The raffle is designed to raise funds for the Yonkers organization. The raffle drawing will be held on June 7, 2021. Specific information was provided and included in hard copy with this month’s meeting minutes. The three tickets were given to Treasurer Jack Schmidt. VP Rybak asked for a motion to purchase three tickets. Brother Jim Smith made a motion, a second to the motion was made by Brother Gary Peak. All members in attendance were in favor of the purchase.

Old Business:

Vice President Rybak discussed issues some members have had with prescription drug coverage with ProAct and OPTUM

New Business:

Syracuse PBA President Joe Moran advised via email that St Patrick Day shirts are available. Contact PBA office for details.
College Scholarships will be offered again this year. Two $500.00 scholarships will be drawn.
1.. Student must be a child or grandchild of a member in good standing
2.. Submit student’s name and relationship to member
3.. Name of college, university or trade school
4.. Include contact information
5.. Drawing will be made during the May 2021 meeting.

Good & Welfare:

nothing new to report

Meetings:

The next Retirees meeting is the Dinner Banquet on 26 May 2021, 1900 hrs - $10 per person

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

support

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

air1

Please help keep Air 1 flying.

The Air 1 Foundation website (Facebook)

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

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 Services, 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 becomes your primary health insurance and the City's health plan becomes secondary
See United Health Care Section below

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.

NATIONAL LAW ENFORCEMENT MUSEUM

Would you like to donate your time for a great cause and share your expertise with others?
The National Law Enforcement Museum offers several volunteer opportunities to fit your experience and your schedule. Visitor Experience Volunteers welcome visitors, provide general information about the Museum and help guests plan their journey through the exhibits. Event Volunteers help with special events, such as National Police Week and the Run for the Badge 5K. Volunteer Educators help lead high-quality, visitor-centered tours of the Museum’s collections and exhibits. Are you a current or former law enforcement officer? We have important volunteer opportunities for you, too. Law Enforcement Volunteers share their expertise with visitors and help them see what walking in the shoes of an officer is really like.
To learn more about the volunteer program, please visit the Museum's volunteer opportunities page.

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.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

..Maintenance drugs (those you take all the time) MUST be by mail order in 90 day supplies.
..The original prescription and one refill from the local pharmacy is covered. After that point you will have to pay 100% or use the United HC.
..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

SURVIVOR HEALTH INSURANCE

SPD retiree survivors may continue your health insurance plan for a monthly payment.
Contact City of Syracuse at 315.448.8788 or 315.448.8445 for pricing of individual or family plans.

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.

UNITED HEALTH CARE

If you are under 65 yrs of age Excellus is your insurance carrier
If you are 65 and older: United Health Care is your health insurance carrier.
65 and older: You MUST continue your current Medicare coverage & it's payment.
65 and older: Inform your medical provider to call the number on the back of your insurance card and not the providers usual number
65 and older: You need to notify your doctor/medical office to NOT submit their bill Medicare but to the current insurance carrier
Nothing has recently changed regarding what is covered or co-payments, pharmacy choice, etc.
Covered under Part B of Medicare on the City of Syracuse Plan
.. Flu shots, Diabetic testing strips (Lancets and test strips) and glucose meter. You can get both of these at the pharmacy.
.. You can also get Diabetes testing supplies mail order.
.. You may also receive the flu shot at the doctors office with your insurance card.
If you ANY questions or issues contact City Hall: 315.448.8788 or 315.448.8445

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 ........

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

stone

STONE DENTAL & DENTISTRY

You may have a dental discount available .. 315.214.0004 - 5663 E Circle Dr, Cicero

https://stonedentistry.com/

dunn

EDWARD DUNN .. ATTORNEY-at-LAW

He is offering his legal services, at a discount 315.427.5881 - 250 Harrison St, Syracuse

http://dunnrightlaw.com/blog/