MI-SERA

Chair Talk

February 2008

By Bob Kopasz

HB 5545

The past month has been very busy for me, as well as others, in our attempt to continue holding off HB 5545. We testified at the Retiree Health Care Reform Committee on January 17, 2008. In our testimony we provided that committee a copy of a letter containing cost savings that Civil Service had obtained in managing health care costs over the past several years. It appeared to me that the committee was not much interested in the cost savings on behalf of the State and our information was not given much weight. We are hearing that our members are writing letters and calling legislators in opposition to this bill. We appreciate all the calls and letters and hope that more will be made. I believe that we must keep on contacting our State Legislators, Senators and the Governor to make our opposition to this bill heard. We will continue to monitor this bill and do whatever we need to make our opposition known.

Medicare Advantage

Some retirees have been experiencing problems with Medicare Plus Blue Group cards not being received. I have been told that members may not receive cards for the following reasons:

BCBSM may not have their Medicare information (i.e., Medicare number, effective dates).
Member information is incorrect and BCBSM sent letter requesting correct information.
BCBSM received member information late.
Member was identified as having other coverage (i.e., GM, MSU, etc.)

There has also been some confusion and questions regarding the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) that are being received from the Medicare Plus Blue Group. I have asked for a meeting with Susan Kant (Director of Employee Benefits) to discuss this issue.

We will be sending Polly and Lindy Guy a plaque and gift cards as an appreciation of their many years of dedicated service to the State Employee Retirees Association.

I have scheduled Lisa Eggert (Delta Dental) to be our speaker at the May CC meeting. I have also scheduled Ron Tatro (Elder Law of Michigan) to be our speaker at the August CC meeting.

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

Return to top of page


Chair Talk	Home About SERA Join SERA Now SERA Plus Benefits Meeting Dates Chair Talk Capitol News Retirement Matters Insurance Information SERA Council Directories Michigan Government Links Testimony Letters and Press Releases Resources Links
February 2008 By Bob Kopasz HB 5545 The past month has been very busy for me, as well as others, in our attempt to continue holding off HB 5545. We testified at the Retiree Health Care Reform Committee on January 17, 2008. In our testimony we provided that committee a copy of a letter containing cost savings that Civil Service had obtained in managing health care costs over the past several years. It appeared to me that the committee was not much interested in the cost savings on behalf of the State and our information was not given much weight. We are hearing that our members are writing letters and calling legislators in opposition to this bill. We appreciate all the calls and letters and hope that more will be made. I believe that we must keep on contacting our State Legislators, Senators and the Governor to make our opposition to this bill heard. We will continue to monitor this bill and do whatever we need to make our opposition known. Medicare Advantage Some retirees have been experiencing problems with Medicare Plus Blue Group cards not being received. I have been told that members may not receive cards for the following reasons: BCBSM may not have their Medicare information (i.e., Medicare number, effective dates). Member information is incorrect and BCBSM sent letter requesting correct information. BCBSM received member information late. Member was identified as having other coverage (i.e., GM, MSU, etc.) There has also been some confusion and questions regarding the Explanation of Benefits (EOB) that are being received from the Medicare Plus Blue Group. I have asked for a meeting with Susan Kant (Director of Employee Benefits) to discuss this issue. We will be sending Polly and Lindy Guy a plaque and gift cards as an appreciation of their many years of dedicated service to the State Employee Retirees Association. I have scheduled Lisa Eggert (Delta Dental) to be our speaker at the May CC meeting. I have also scheduled Ron Tatro (Elder Law of Michigan) to be our speaker at the August CC meeting. 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 Return to top of page
©2021 Michigan State Employee Retirees Association Council (MI-SERA) Contact SERA Webmaster