Vermont Retired State Employees' Association, INC.
Topic: VRSEA Annual Meeting - 2022
Time: August 24, 2022 at 12:00 pm EDT
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The State and the VSEA recently negotiated a new hearing aids benefit for State employees and retirees. Effective January 1, 2023, State retirees and their dependents covered by the State Employees Health Plan, will each have a $1,500 benefit toward hearing aids – per ear – every 5 years. The new benefit applies to the cost of the hearing aids only. Audiologist visits and hearing tests continue to be covered as specialist visits under the health plan’s regular medical benefits. VRSEA applauds the State for finally taking this step, as we have been asking for hearing aids coverage for many years.
The Vermont Retired State Employees Association (VRSEA) Board of Trustees recently voted to oppose the merger of the Vermont State Employees Credit Union and the New England Federal Credit Union. State retirees may remember that the VSECU was started by state employees, for state employees. Many state retirees have their banking with VSECU. In addition, VRSEA has had its Association business dealings with VSECU for many years. We trust them and they have treated us well. A VRSEA Board member recently attended a meeting in Montpelier where both credit unions tried to explain why members should approve their merger. After two hours of questions and answers, the companies could not come up with any compelling reason why members should vote to merge. VSECU is a credit union for Vermonters, by Vermonters. Keeping our Credit Union separate from the NEFCU helps us to retain control and to better serve the needs of our own Vermont community, which is very important and can be crucial. The VRSEA Board of Trustees is encouraging VRSEA members to sign a petition to voice opposition to this merger.
Petition Link Learn more about the issue at a website created by the group Calling All Members
The State Employee Health Plan is now covering At-Home COVID-19 rapid tests at no cost to members retroactive to December 1, 2021. The plan will cover up to 8 tests per member per month. The tests must be purchased at a pharmacy to be eligible for coverage (mail order or in person). Here are the details about how the plan will cover the tests:
For more information and details regarding the reimbursement process for both BCBSVT and ESI, please go to:
https://humanresources.vermont.gov/content/no-cost-covid-19-rapid-home-tests
Residential households in the U.S. can order one set of 4 free at-home tests from USPS.com. Here’s what you need to know about your order:
Use the URL link below:
COVID Home Tests | USPS
State regulators want to hear from Vermonters about how long they have to wait to see a medical specialist.
The Agency of Human Services launched the inquiry last month after a Seven Days investigation revealed that some University of Vermont Medical Center patients have been waiting for weeks or months to get outpatient specialist appointments. The agency and its partners will compile their findings in a report that may shape legislation on the issue, Secretary Mike Smith said.
Investigators plan to hold two virtual public sessions over the next few weeks: Wednesday, Oct. 27, from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., and on Thursday, Nov. 4, from noon to 2 p.m. For details, signups and links to the meetings, visit the wait times webpage.
Residents can also tell their stories in writing, according to information on the Department of Financial Regulation’s website, which is also participating in the inquiry. Other partners include the Green Mountain Care Board and the Office of the Health Care Advocate.
Consumers who need help with medical appointment wait times can contact the Office of the Health Care Advocate helpline via phone, 800-917-7787, or online. The Department of Financial Regulation can also help Vermonters by phone, 800-964-1784, or email, dfr.insuranceinfo@vermont.gov. Additional resources are available on the wait times webpage.
— Liora Engel-Smith
VTDigger - Oct 21, 2021
Making a local call? Starting this Sunday, October 24, you will need to dial the 802 area code along with the regular 7-digit phone number!
Anyone with an 802 area code will need to dial the full 10-digit phone line, according to the Federal Communications Commission, which regulates interstate communications. Officials behind the change noted that any seven-digit calls placed on or after Oct. 24 may not connect, leaving callers with a "call cannot be completed as dialed" recording. Vermont is one of 82 area codes across 35 states that will undergo the change this weekend — callers with the 603 area code of neighboring New Hampshire are also included. The change will allow the FCC to establish a three-digit 988 number as a National Suicide Prevention Lifeline.
As part of the Barre Fall Festival, we invite all retired State Employees to visit us at the welcome table under a tent located in front of the Barre Partnership office at 135 Main Street across from the bagel store in Barre.
Some of our VRSEA Board members plan to answer your questions and are excited to meet you with brochures and goodies from 10:00 am - 4:00 pm, Saturday, October 2.
This festival is from Thursday - Saturday with many activities (check out their website for other scheduling) but VRSEA will be sponsoring games in the Currier Park on Saturday only.
Don’t miss this opportunity to get to know what VRSEA is all about. See you there!!
The State Benefits Office has informed VRSEA that effective September 1, 2021, there is a group of diabetic medications that are capped at a maximum $25 monthly out of pocket cost (copay) for retiree health plan members. The list of drugs is attached in the following link: Good News on Diabetes Drugs
If you have been paying more than $25 out-of-pocket for a 30 day supply of one of these drugs, your future copay will be only $25 per month for that drug. The $25 maximum copay is per drug, per month. If you order a two-month supply of a listed drug, your maximum copay will be $50, and for a three month supply it will be maximum of $75. If you have been paying less than a $25 copay per month for one of these drugs, your copay will remain the same. This change will be most beneficial for those who have been paying more than $25 per month out of pocket for each of the drugs on the list.
Greetings to our VRSEA members! We bring good news! VRSEA has learned that State employees and retirees will be receiving a “premium holiday”, due to a surplus in the State Employees Health Plan fund. Because there are 26 and not 24 active pay periods, State employees will receive less than a full month’s premium holiday (2 pay periods). The State has figured that to be 92% of a month. Hence, State retirees will get 92% of a monthly premium holiday, and will pay only 8% of the normal premium in the August 31 pension check. After that, regular monthly medical deductions will resume. Every little bit helps. We hope you are well and enjoying the summer.
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