Chair Talk
October 2006
I recently spoke with Susan Kant (Director of Employee Benefits) she offered the following information:
- The State, in accordance with Medicare Part D instructions, will be sending out new “creditable coverage” letters to all retirees and active state employees indicating that the State of Michigan will continue with the drug subsidy and that the State s prescription plan is as good as, or better than, the Medicare Prat D prescription drug plan. Many retirees/employees may receive this letter in the coming months. It is not necessary to do anything. Do not enroll in a Medicare Part D prescription plan. This letter will be posted on the Employee Benefits website and sent to all Chapter Presidents.
- Express Scripts will soon be sending out letters to retirees/employees whose current medication will be on the third-tier (non-formulary) list of prescription drugs. Those third-tier drugs will have a co-pay of $30 if you wish to continue those drugs after January 1, 2007. The formulary/non-formulary list is updated on an annual basis. Decisions by Express Scripts to place drugs on the non-formulary list are for clinical reasons. The 2007 formulary list is on the Employee Benefits website and will be posted on the SERA website and sent to all Chapter Presidents.
- We were informed at last month s Executive Committee meetings that there will be no changes in our health care, dental or vision benefits. Rates for the State Health Plan, Vision and Dental will not change in 2007. There may be rate changes for some HMO plans.
Susan Kant and Lauri Schmidt from Employee Benefits will be our speakers at the November 3, 2006 SERA Coordinating Council meeting.
Please remember to vote in the November general election.
Editor’s note: Bob Kopasz is Chair of the Michigan SERA Council. He may be reached at P.O. Box 692, Mt. Morris, MI 48458; phone 810/240-8380
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