There is an error on page 5 of the November/December VANGUARD in the BriovaRx Pharmacy section at the bottom. Non-preferred specialty drug prescriptions filled at a non-BriovaRx pharmacy will have a 40% copay with a $10 minimum and no maximum. We apologize for any inconvenience caused by this mistake. The online version of the publication has been corrected.
Priority Health schedules informational seminars for MPSERS members
Priority Health, one of three HMO options available to MPSERS members, is hosting several 90-minute informational seminars around Michigan to answer questions members may have about Priority Health. Click here for more information.
MPSERS Member Healthcare Education Seminars Schedule Announced
Starting on Oct. 11, MPSERS will hold member benefit seminars across Michigan, Florida and Arizona. The purpose of these seminars is to help members learn more about their healthcare plans and receive health and wellness information. For dates, times and locations, view the Michigan flyer. View all locations here.
Save the Date: MPSERS Member Education Seminars Scheduled for Fall
MPSERS’ Member Education Seminars to update members on healthcare changes for 2017 will take place during the following weeks in October, November, and December. A complete schedule with specific dates and locations will be posted on our website and social media as it becomes available.
Michigan
Week of October 11, 2016 – Northern Michigan
Week of October 17, 2016 – West and Mid-Michigan
Week of October 24, 2016 – Southeast Michigan
Florida
Week of November 7, 2016
Arizona
Week of December 6, 2016
Governor Snyder to appeal MPSERS ruling without help from AG
Governor Rick Snyder will be appealing a Court of Appeals ruling that the state must return contributions school employees made toward their retirement health care, and he will be doing it without help from Attorney General Bill Schuette. Click here to read a summary of the Governor’s rationale for continuing to pursue this multi-year case.
Court of Appeals orders healthcare funds to be refunded to school employees
The Court of Appeals ruled on June 7, 2016, that school employees were unconstitutionally required to pay 3% towards retiree health care from 2010-2013 as they were not guaranteed to see that money. The main effect of the ruling, which affirms a 2012 Court of Appeals ruling on the same law, means that public school employees who paid in the 3% from July 1, 2010 to January 9, 2013 will see those payments refunded, unless the state chooses to appeal once again.
The case is AFT-Michigan v. Michigan. Certainly, the decision will have significant ramifications for the state, schools and school employees, as over $600 million is currently sitting in escrow. Schools currently are paying a higher MPSERS rate due to the fact that this money was originally intended to go towards retiree health care, so if the money is ultimately refunded, schools will not see the MPSERS rate decrease they otherwise would if it were kept in the system.
MARSP celebrates Older Americans Month: Resources
The following websites offer information and tools to help you blaze trails as you age. In addition to these resources, check out the Eldercare Locator, a public service of the Administration on Aging. It connects older adults, their families, and caregivers to information on local services and support. Topics range from volunteerism and healthy aging to legal assistance and transportation. Visit Eldercare.gov or call 800-677-1116 to learn what is available in your community.
Wellness
Brain Health
Source: Administration for Community Living
Falls Prevention
Source: National Council on Aging
Go4Life Exercise & Physical Activity Campaign
Source: National Institute on Aging
Healthy Eating As We Age
Source: USDA
Health and Wellness Videos
Source: NIHSeniorHealth.gov
Long-term Care Planning
Source: Department of Health and Human Services
NIHSeniorHealth
Source: National Institutes of Health
Older Adults and Oral Health
Source: National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research
Sleep and Aging
Source: National Institutes of Health
Securing Your Finances
Advanced Care Planning Fact Sheets
Source: AoA’s Eldercare Locator
Elder Abuse (including Financial Exploitation)
Source: Administration on Aging
Elder Fraud and Financial Exploitation
Source: Federal Financial Fraud Enforcement Task Force
Financial Protection for Older Americans
Source: Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
OnGuard Online
Source: Office of Justice Programs
Protect Your Pocketbook: Tips to Avoid Financial Exploitation (PDF)
Source: AoA’s Eldercare Locator
Scammed? Now what … (PDF)
Source: National Council on Elder Abuse
Reinvention
Arts and Aging Toolkit for Organizations
Source: National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts, National Center for Creative Aging, and New Jersey Performing Arts Center
Directory of Creative Aging Programs
Source: National Center for Creative Aging
Participating in Activities You Enjoy—More Than Just Fun and Games
Source: National Institute on Aging
Ready for Your Second Career?
Source: AARP Bulletin
Second Acts for the Greater Good
Source: Encore.org
Senior Community Service Employment Program
Source: Department of Labor
Civic Engagement
Health Benefits of Volunteering (PDF)
Source: Corporation for National and Community Service
Project Toolkits
Source: Corporation for National and Community Service
SeniorCorps
Source: Corporation for National and Community Service
Tips for Boomers Who Want to Volunteer (PDF)
Source: Corporation for National and Community Service
United We Serve
Source: Corporation for National and Community Service
Volunteering and Civic Engagement among Older Adults
Source: Corporation for National and Community Service
Attention Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO members: Avoid coverage interruption by returning your VOC form by the deadline
If you participate with either the Blue Cross Blue Shield Blue Preferred PPO Plan or the Medicare Plus Blue Group PPO plan, you will want to watch this video concerning the importance of returning the MPSERS Verification of Coverage form by the deadline to avoid interruption of your health coverage. Blue Cross began mailing the forms the week of May 16th. Members who are on HMO plans will not receive this form.
MPSERS’ members on the Blue Cross PPO plan must respond by July 15, 2016. There are several ways to respond, however, you must have the VOC reference number from the form in order to access these options:
- Complete it online at www.mpsers.coverageupdatecenter.com
- Mail your completed survey using the pre‑paid envelope that was included with it.
- Fax the completed survey to 1‑402‑384‑6310.
- Call 1‑888‑231‑0382, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., Eastern time.
- TTY users call 1‑800‑735‑2929.
MPSERS Verification of Coverage Survey from Blue Cross Blue Shield of MI on Vimeo.
Medicare and MPSERS: What to do when you turn 65
If you are already getting Social Security retirement or disability benefits or railroad retirement checks, you will be contacted a few months before you become eligible for Medicare and given the information you need. If you live in one of the 50 states or Washington, D.C., you will be enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B automatically.
If you are not already getting retirement benefits, you should contact the Social Security Administration about three months before your 65th birthday to sign up for Medicare. Their number is 800-772-1213.
Once you are enrolled in Medicare, you will receive a red, white and blue Medicare card showing whether you have Part A, Part B or both. In order to receive coverage through MPSERS (Michigan Public School Employees Retirement System), you must have Part B. Keep your card in a safe place so you will have it when you need it.
You will also need to return the “MEDICARE QUESTIONNAIRE FOR BENEFICIARIES 65 OR OVER” that you will receive from the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This form allows Medicare and MPSERS to coordinate your benefits. When you turn 65, your coverage will be Medicare Plus Blue Group PPO. This a Medicare Advantage plan. You will also continue to receive your prescription drug benefit from MPSERS.
Although your enrollment in the Medicare Advantage plan should be seamless and automatic, MARSP suggests that just before you turn age 65, you contact MPSERS and BCBSM to ensure that your enrollment in Medicare is complete.
Best of Health: Blue Cross Verification of Coverage Surveys being mailed in May
The Blue Cross Blue Shield Best of Health publications for Spring 2016 contain important information regarding the Blue Cross Verification of Coverage (VOC) form which is being mailed in May. Please click below to read the Spring 2016 issue. Members will also receive the publication via regular mail.