BOB CHAFFEE 1/11/23
SPD has reached out to me to see if any of our members are friends with Bob Chaffee (Ret. Sgt) and/or his family.
If anyone can help out, please call me at 315-415-9329.
Mike Marcely
UHC & UPSTATE HOSPITAL DANCE 12/30
As a Happy New Year wish, United Healthcare has extended the contract with Upstate Hospital for 2 months, expiring 28 FEB, while they try to work out long term solution. The following is a link to the P-S story
SYRACUSE PBA NEWS 12/17
OFFICER WELLNESS
Det. Cowan has been assigned to our Officer Wellness position full-time. He wanted me to share the Cordico Officer Wellness attachment with you, which provides our retirees an opportunity to utilize the App for officer wellness. If you have any questions about this, feel free to contact Det. Cowan at 315-748-0854.
NOVEMBER 2022 MEETING
United Police & Fire Retirees Report:
- No new information to report
Old Business
- Brother James Boynton asked about any update on the situation between United Health Care insurance coverage and Upstate Hospital. There is no update to report.
New Business:
- President Mike Marcely discussed Pharmacy costs as it relates to “Catastrophic Care”. A retired member may have been over charged for prescriptions based on a Catastrophic Care clause in the Health Care Insurance Policy. Other members had various experiences with prescription coverage and costs. President Marcely has attempted to get clarification from City Hall, with no success. He said he would research the issue and advise the members.
- ... Update from Marcely 12/1: "I just checked my Medicare handbook, the United Healthcare website and the Social Security website. Everything I read says that catastrophic coverage kicks in when the individual spends $7050 ($7400 in 2023). Nowhere does it say that it is the total cost of meds
- Sister Kathy Cecile ( Election Chairperson) read the names of all candidates running for positions on the Executive Board and Board of Directors. She asked the members for any other names for candidates for positions on either board. There were no other candidates. Sister Cecile asked for a vote to accept the candidates. Recording Secretary James Casamento cast a vote, a second vote was cast by Executive Vice President Bill Rybak.
- ... Executive Board (position held for 2 yrs): President- Michael Marcely, Vice President- Steven Thompson, Executive Vice President- James Glavin, Recording Secretary- James Casamento, Corresponding Secretary- Martin Bailey, Treasurer- Jack Schmidt, Sergeant at Arms- John Tierney
- ... Board of Directors (position held for 2 yrs): John Briggs, Dan Corbett, William Mulroney, Gary Peak, Jim Smith, Tony Sobon, Laura Walker
- President Marcely acknowledged and thanked Outgoing Executive Vice President Bill Rybak for his dedication and support to the Retirees Association. Brother James Glavin will take over the position of Executive Vice President effective 01 January 2023.
- Active Police Officer Marlena Jackson spoke to the group. She discussed the upcoming “Shop with a Cop” Program. This year it will be at Walmart- Bridge St. Dewitt: Sunday 18 December 1000 – 1300 hrs. Officer Jackson reminded the group that the Shop with a Cop budget she has to work with is limited. Board of Directors President; Gary Peak suggested that the Association donate the monies collected from tonight’s 50/50 raffle to the Shop with a Cop Program. The motion was made by Brother Peak, seconded by Brother John Corbett and passed unanimously. A total of $205.00 was given to Officer Jackson to be used for the event.
- Retirees Day will be held on Thursday 8 December @ 0900 hrs. at the Valley American Legion. Limp Lizard was selected to cater the lunch for the day.
- The PBA annual Basket Day is Wednesday 21 December. Baskets will be distributed from Green Hills Grocery Store. “Limp Lizard” will be providing food containers. Basket preparation is Tuesday 20 December 1300 hrs at Green Hills.
Good & Welfare
- Nothing to report
RETIREES DAY - 12/8
Check on the Coming Events page for further details.
RE: UNITED HEALTH CARE and UPSTATE HOSPITAL - 10/27
From Michael Marcely - President
Some retirees have received a letter saying that Upstate/Community were no longer accept UHC insurance. The letter is from UHC and NOT City Hall. Their current contract with Upstate is ending and they will now be considered an out-of-network provider (so you might have to pay co-pays and such). The letter encouraged you to speak with your physicians to see what their policies will be.
I faced this same problem with my doctors' group when their contract with POMCO was ending. Both parties settled on a new contract before that happened. Perhaps the same thing will happen with UHC-Upstate. It appears the letter was addressed directly to those with doctors associated with Upstate/Community. This would explain why not everyone got this letter but I wouldn't lose sleep over this. Your doctors will still treat you.
UPDATE: 11/6 - The UHC-Upstate controversy only applies to the Upstate & Community hospital portion(s) of the contract (Upstate took over control of Community Hospital several years ago). The doctor's groups associated with Upstate/Community are under a separate contract and are not affected by this dispute - at least for now. So, if your doctor(s) are affiliated with Upstate or Community, they are still considered in-network by UHC.
ON-DUTY INJURY 9/28
If anyone received an on-duty injury, the City is permanently responsible for treating said injury under Section 207(c) of the NY General Municipal Law This does not require disability retirement.
However, for several years, the City has balked at covering treatment once the employee has retired. Rick Brunelle has engaged an attorney to look into the matter, but the City has refused to provide any info due to HIPAA. If anyone has received an on-duty injury and the City has refused to cover treatment, it would be appreciated if you contact Rick at: rbrunelle2@twcny.rr.com. HIPAA doesn't apply to if you are freely sharing your own information.
PENSION COLA ANNOUNCED - 8/13
Comptroller Tom DiNapoli has announced that the new pension cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) will be 3%, the highest COLA ever, and the maximum amount authorized by statute. The prior highest COLA was 2%, a mark hit just once. The COLA is applied to the first $18,000 of your pension benefit. Generally, you must be over 62 years and retired for 5 years. The COLA is based on 50% of the rate of inflation, and can never be less than 1%, or higher than 3%.
The COLA increase will appear in monthly pension payments starting in late September. The maximum annual increase is $540, or $45 per month.
Recognizing the deficiency in the current formula, RPEA has had legislation introduced to enact a “catch up” provision going back 21 years to provide a COLA equal to the actual rate of inflation, while keeping the 3% cap in place. The “catch up” applies only to retirees already eligible for a COLA. The bill also raises the income threshold from $18,000 to $21,000, which would apply to everyone going forward.
With the actual rate of inflation hovering at a 40 year high of about 9%, retirees need help. Our “catch up” provision in the new bill will provide a boost for those already retired and eligible for the COLA. The “catch up” would be a one time calculation, but it would become part of your base pension amount, and you would receive it every year going forward. It will be our highest priority next session.
CITY OF SYRACUSE LIFE INSURANCE - MAY 14
SPD has started to contact members with forms to update their life insurance information. This is legitimate. I encourage everyone to complete the form and return it ASAP. A few years ago, a member contacted me because he hadn't changed his beneficiary from wife #1; he was on wife #5 at the time.
Just to recap, when you retire, you carry a no-cost life insurance policy with you. Retirees have $10,000 in coverage. There is no expiration. There used to be more depending on your age, but I've been told this is a flat rate now.
SPECIAL PATROL OFFICER
After months of work, I was finally able to sign a Memorandum of Agreement with Chief Buckner permitting our retirees to work Dome events/traffic control. For those who are interested, please complete this application and return it to the PBA (PO Box 11218, Syracuse, NY 13218). The application states to return it to City Hall, but if you send it to me, I will make sure it gets filed properly.
When completing the application, under the "Employment Data" section, select Other (list), and next to the selection, write "SPO". Retirees will be called in "on an as-needed" basis to supplement details, which will help our active members from being ordered in. As I have previously explained, we are having a very difficult time filling Dome related events due to our staffing crisis. The rate is $28/hr, which is the current rate for our SPO's who work for SPD. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Joseph Moran - PBA President
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You can contact Phyllis via email at phylgeorge@aol.com
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