Chair Talk

April 2016

I have received an Interagency Memorandum of Understanding for Retiree Health Benefits that has received Interim Approval and will have to be approved by the Civil Service Commission in a future meeting. There are 3 amendments to the current health benefits that will be effective October 1, 2016:

  1. The State Health Plan PPO for all non-Medicare retirees and dependents is amended to add telemedicine as an optional alternative to office visits under the health and mental health provisions.
  2. The State Dental Plan for all retirees and dependents is amended to add the ability to obtain an occlusal guard once every five years instead of the current once-in-a lifetime benefit.
  3. The State Vision Plan PPO for all retirees and dependents is amended to match frame allowances and lens options to match those offered to active employees.

I would like to remind all retirees that when you submit forms/documents to ORS or any other State Agency, it is important that you retain copies for your records. I have recently dealt with issues that may have been resolved quicker if copies of forms/documents had been kept by the retiree.

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.