1 00:00:00,160 --> 00:00:09,120 is we're looking at exceptional unprecedented rises in 2 00:00:06,160 --> 00:00:13,040 health insurance costs across the nation and that affects us here in the town of 3 00:00:11,120 --> 00:00:18,160 Belmont as well. And what we need to take a look at as a town is what what's 4 00:00:16,160 --> 00:00:22,160 going to be a sustainable response to these rising insurance costs? Is it 5 00:00:20,560 --> 00:00:28,880 going to be just increasing people's premiums at a 24% rate or double digit 6 00:00:26,320 --> 00:00:33,360 um increases or could we do something else? and the select board and and the 7 00:00:31,359 --> 00:00:39,280 town decided to do something else which was to try to find some additional 8 00:00:36,399 --> 00:00:43,760 stability um by joining a larger risk pool. So that's sort of the image that 9 00:00:41,280 --> 00:00:48,480 we have here on the screen. So the GIC includes 13 member cities across the 10 00:00:46,640 --> 00:00:55,520 state of Massachusetts. So all the employees from those 13 cities and 34 11 00:00:52,399 --> 00:01:00,239 member towns as well. So all those employees as well and then every state 12 00:00:57,840 --> 00:01:04,799 employee. So there's a lot more people in this risk pool contributing to it 13 00:01:02,879 --> 00:01:09,119 than what we have here in the town of Belmont. And what we hope that would 14 00:01:06,479 --> 00:01:14,159 mean is that the health care costs become a little bit more sustainable 15 00:01:11,119 --> 00:01:18,880 over time. Also, what the GIC presents to all of us is greater choice and 16 00:01:16,159 --> 00:01:23,759 greater flexibility. So with more plan options comes greater flexibility to 17 00:01:20,880 --> 00:01:27,680 meet the needs of individual employees because your health care needs might be 18 00:01:25,840 --> 00:01:30,720 different than your healthare needs. it might be different than the healthare 19 00:01:29,280 --> 00:01:35,280 needs of the people in the back of the room. So different plans might work 20 00:01:32,880 --> 00:01:38,560 differently for different folks. Um so to have that choice and that option is 21 00:01:37,119 --> 00:01:42,640 different than what it is that we have now, which is pretty much just offering 22 00:01:40,560 --> 00:01:46,960 two plans. Um and then the last point that I put up 23 00:01:44,720 --> 00:01:51,280 here is that it is administered by the state. So that that adds to the 24 00:01:49,439 --> 00:01:55,840 bargaining power of the large group when we're negotiating these rates with the 25 00:01:53,600 --> 00:01:59,600 insurance companies. And then also they're going to be largely 26 00:01:56,880 --> 00:02:03,680 administering the plans and the administrative work. That's not to say 27 00:02:01,200 --> 00:02:07,520 that Carrie, myself, and Esma are doing a bad job administering your plans now. 28 00:02:05,600 --> 00:02:10,640 We think we're doing okay. Um we could always be doing better, but we're going 29 00:02:08,879 --> 00:02:13,640 to have some additional help there as well. 30 00:02:15,680 --> 00:02:22,319 So these are some of the key dates um that we want to talk about. Um so in 31 00:02:20,720 --> 00:02:26,720 September, we're hosting these information sessions. This is the first 32 00:02:24,000 --> 00:02:30,879 of several information sessions that we are hosting. Um, and the purpose of 33 00:02:28,959 --> 00:02:35,440 these is to just introduce you to this transition and to go over some of the 34 00:02:32,800 --> 00:02:39,280 key information at sort of a 30,000 foot view of what it is that you can come to 35 00:02:37,680 --> 00:02:42,560 expect. So, we're going to be having these information sessions over the 36 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:46,400 course of the entire month of September. If you think it beneficial and you want 37 00:02:44,560 --> 00:02:50,000 to come to multiple, you can definitely come to multiple. You can come to one in 38 00:02:48,319 --> 00:02:53,360 person, you could come to several on Zoom. It'll be the same presentation, 39 00:02:52,080 --> 00:02:58,080 but perhaps there'll be different questions. Um, but as we get updates 40 00:02:55,920 --> 00:03:04,080 along the way, we'll try to email those out to folks. Um, and we'll try to send 41 00:03:02,159 --> 00:03:07,920 out those updates of course over the regular mail as well to those of you 42 00:03:05,680 --> 00:03:12,879 that we don't have emails for. >> Then the big date here is October 5th 43 00:03:10,480 --> 00:03:17,840 through October 30th. So October 5th through October 30th, that's really game 44 00:03:15,120 --> 00:03:22,400 time when it comes to this insurance enrollment. So that's the period of time 45 00:03:19,760 --> 00:03:27,040 in which we have to sign up for a new GIC plan. So you could sign up right on 46 00:03:24,959 --> 00:03:31,360 October 5th. You could sign up on October 15th. You could sign up on 47 00:03:29,280 --> 00:03:36,159 October 29th. You could sign up on October 30th. Can you sign up on 48 00:03:33,920 --> 00:03:40,480 November 1st? No, you can't sign up on November 1st. 49 00:03:38,480 --> 00:03:44,159 So, it's very very important that you mark your calendars, put a sticky note 50 00:03:42,480 --> 00:03:48,480 on the fridge, whatever it is that you need to do to remind yourself that 51 00:03:46,560 --> 00:03:52,799 October is the time that you have to make your plan choice. We've heard from 52 00:03:50,720 --> 00:03:57,840 a few people in other communities about having to enroll in the GIC and they 53 00:03:56,159 --> 00:04:02,400 want you to do it online. So, you'll need to have computer access in order to 54 00:04:00,879 --> 00:04:05,280 enroll. And we can talk a little bit more about 55 00:04:03,840 --> 00:04:09,599 that as as we go through the presentation. Um, but you will have to 56 00:04:08,080 --> 00:04:13,200 enroll online. And the people that we have talked to, people that we know in 57 00:04:11,200 --> 00:04:16,479 other communities that have done it, take it for what it's worth, what they 58 00:04:14,640 --> 00:04:20,720 tell us is it takes about 5 to 10 minutes to go through the process by 59 00:04:18,400 --> 00:04:25,840 enrolling on the GIC. But part of that is preparing yourself 60 00:04:22,960 --> 00:04:29,199 beforehand, knowing what plan it is that you're looking for, the plan that you 61 00:04:27,280 --> 00:04:32,960 want to sign up for, so that way you don't get overwhelmed by all the 62 00:04:30,800 --> 00:04:37,919 different plan selections when you have to make that drop- down selection on the 63 00:04:34,880 --> 00:04:41,360 computer. Um, so starting in September, doing some researching, reaching out to 64 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:45,680 care providers, those things are all going to be helpful. December 31st is 65 00:04:43,919 --> 00:04:48,880 also going to be a big date to know because that's when your current 66 00:04:47,120 --> 00:04:52,800 coverage with the town of Belmont is going to end. So, what do I mean by 67 00:04:50,800 --> 00:04:56,560 current coverage? The premiums that you're paying now for the Belmont 68 00:04:54,479 --> 00:05:01,199 specific plans um that you're all probably enrolled in, 69 00:04:59,440 --> 00:05:06,400 that coverage is going to end on December 31st. the following day, which 70 00:05:04,000 --> 00:05:10,400 is New Year's Day, happy new year, you're going to have new health 71 00:05:08,000 --> 00:05:14,479 insurance. Um, so that's when the coverage is going to begin. So, just 72 00:05:12,000 --> 00:05:19,600 know that your current coverage ends December 31st and the new insurance that 73 00:05:17,280 --> 00:05:25,120 you selected in October is going to begin on January 1st of 2027. So that 74 00:05:23,199 --> 00:05:28,880 means that all of your providers for yourself and your family, you should be 75 00:05:26,960 --> 00:05:33,520 planning on notifying them, notifying the pharmacies that you go to um that 76 00:05:31,600 --> 00:05:39,440 your insurance has changed to just update uh with them your new insurance 77 00:05:36,160 --> 00:05:44,240 policies. All right. So some key things about the the GIC and 78 00:05:42,080 --> 00:05:47,759 this PowerPoint presentation is going to be online as well. So I apologize for 79 00:05:46,160 --> 00:05:50,960 being a little bit small here on the screen, but I'm going to talk you 80 00:05:49,600 --> 00:05:55,600 through it. So and you can always take notes, too. Um, so the plan year is 81 00:05:53,759 --> 00:06:00,960 going to be the same plan year as the plan year that we have now. So that's on 82 00:05:58,479 --> 00:06:05,840 the fiscal year calendar. So that's July 1st through June 30th. We are starting 83 00:06:03,520 --> 00:06:11,600 our plan midyear. So there will be change in the rates 84 00:06:08,400 --> 00:06:18,479 most likely come next July. So in July 2027, but we're doing our transition mid 85 00:06:15,199 --> 00:06:22,720 midfiscal year in January. Um, but after after this first initial speed bump of 86 00:06:20,560 --> 00:06:27,600 getting onto the GIC will be on the regular rotating schedule of the fiscal 87 00:06:25,440 --> 00:06:31,600 year calendar. So, our open enrollments will be the same as they are now. 88 00:06:29,039 --> 00:06:36,720 They'll be in the springtime. Your premium deductions um for those of 89 00:06:34,000 --> 00:06:42,000 you um that are active employees and retirees um we pay a month ahead right 90 00:06:40,240 --> 00:06:46,400 now on the Belmont's plan, our current plans, we pay a month ahead for our 91 00:06:44,240 --> 00:06:51,600 insurance coverage. That's going to be the same with the GIC. So, we will also 92 00:06:49,840 --> 00:06:55,440 be paying a month ahead. So, the premiums that you contribute this month 93 00:06:53,360 --> 00:07:01,039 through your paychecks go toward coverage next month. So, your first new 94 00:06:58,639 --> 00:07:05,759 deduction for the GIC coming out of either your pension or coming out of 95 00:07:02,960 --> 00:07:12,160 your your paycheck will occur in the month of December. So, a month ahead of 96 00:07:08,160 --> 00:07:17,199 January. and your last deduction for um the current plans will be in November 97 00:07:14,479 --> 00:07:22,479 for December. Okay. If you're a new employee coming in um to 98 00:07:20,160 --> 00:07:26,800 the town of Belmont, you'll have 21 days from your date of hire to enroll in the 99 00:07:24,960 --> 00:07:31,360 health insurance. That's just a fun fact to know for most of us since we're all 100 00:07:28,479 --> 00:07:35,680 either already employed or we're retired from the town of Belmont. Um have we 101 00:07:34,080 --> 00:07:42,960 talked about the annual uh open enrollment? So, the GIC usually does 102 00:07:39,919 --> 00:07:47,599 its rates and and all of those types of details a little bit ahead of our normal 103 00:07:45,919 --> 00:07:52,080 um springtime and they'll sort of have them already available. So, by the time 104 00:07:50,080 --> 00:07:55,120 that it's January, that's usually when they start doing their regular 105 00:07:53,360 --> 00:07:59,840 presentations and things about the next plan year that'll happen in July. But, 106 00:07:58,240 --> 00:08:04,479 we'll talk about that more as we get closer to July. they have some online 107 00:08:02,240 --> 00:08:07,440 sessions and um sort of similar things to what it is that we're doing now, 108 00:08:05,759 --> 00:08:11,440 talking about the plans and any plan changes that usually happen in January, 109 00:08:09,759 --> 00:08:17,360 but we'll remind folks of that when that comes up. Um qualifying life events, all 110 00:08:14,800 --> 00:08:21,280 of these qualifying life events um that we have currently, if you get married, 111 00:08:19,360 --> 00:08:26,160 if you get divorced, if you lose coverage in another plan, those are 112 00:08:23,759 --> 00:08:30,240 still qualifying events under the GIC. So, those would work the same. you could 113 00:08:27,840 --> 00:08:35,120 reach out um to us and you would have a 60-day window to make changes to your 114 00:08:33,039 --> 00:08:39,839 plan. And so I think that's probably good 115 00:08:36,880 --> 00:08:43,440 there. So we talked about this again. I can't say it enough. Selecting the plan 116 00:08:41,440 --> 00:08:50,399 is going to be between October 5th and October 30th. Um all employees and all 117 00:08:47,440 --> 00:08:56,000 retirees must choose a GIC plan to enroll in through the online portal. So, 118 00:08:54,000 --> 00:09:00,720 if you have a computer at home that you're used to using, that's probably 119 00:08:58,080 --> 00:09:07,360 going to be your best bet to set aside some time to go on to the GIC's website 120 00:09:03,920 --> 00:09:11,519 to be able to enroll in a new plan. if you don't have a computer at home, but 121 00:09:09,120 --> 00:09:16,560 if you have a a grandson or granddaughter, or if you have a son or 122 00:09:14,160 --> 00:09:20,800 daughter that has their own computer or is more familiar with it, you may want 123 00:09:18,080 --> 00:09:24,399 to set aside some time to have them come up for, you know, a little lunch or 124 00:09:22,959 --> 00:09:27,839 something. Maybe they could bring you a little lunch or you could make lunch for 125 00:09:25,760 --> 00:09:32,880 them or, you know, something like maybe coffee or tea or, you know, something 126 00:09:30,880 --> 00:09:37,040 like that for them to sort of sit with you to get you on the computer to get 127 00:09:35,360 --> 00:09:40,640 you through the process. But like I said, it shouldn't be too heavy of a 128 00:09:38,560 --> 00:09:47,040 lift based off of what we're hearing from um from other folks. If you don't 129 00:09:43,760 --> 00:09:50,959 have a computer, if you don't have um anybody that you know that could help 130 00:09:48,800 --> 00:09:56,560 you at home with any sort of computer access and you're sort of local to to 131 00:09:54,080 --> 00:10:02,640 Belmont, you all got here today. Um so in October, we will have a designated 132 00:09:59,200 --> 00:10:07,440 computer in the HR office that will be specifically for GIC enrollments. So, if 133 00:10:05,839 --> 00:10:11,360 you need help with the computer and you don't have anybody to help you with it, 134 00:10:09,279 --> 00:10:15,680 you can come into the HR office and myself, Carrie, or Esma will set you up 135 00:10:13,920 --> 00:10:20,560 at that computer and we'll do our best to help you walk through that process. 136 00:10:18,320 --> 00:10:24,399 If we get a huge demand for that, you're seeing the whole crew here. So, we may 137 00:10:22,800 --> 00:10:28,399 have to schedule an appointment for you, but we'll let you know. We'll see what 138 00:10:25,760 --> 00:10:35,040 the demand looks like. Um, for our all of our active employees that are here 139 00:10:30,720 --> 00:10:40,480 and for our retirees who have dependent, you will need to have supporting 140 00:10:36,720 --> 00:10:44,320 documentation for your dependence. So, this is similar to when you first signed 141 00:10:42,240 --> 00:10:48,800 up to the plan with us here in the town of Belmont. If you have a spouse that 142 00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:54,079 you're looking to bring on to your plan as a dependent, not as a not as a 143 00:10:51,200 --> 00:10:58,720 Medicare um person, but as somebody who's under the age of 65 if you're 144 00:10:56,399 --> 00:11:03,360 retired. But for all active employees, you would need to have your marriage 145 00:11:00,399 --> 00:11:07,920 certificate available to upload onto the GIC if you're bringing them on as a 146 00:11:05,279 --> 00:11:12,320 dependent and also birth certificates, copies of birth certificates for your 147 00:11:09,920 --> 00:11:19,360 dependents as well. If you're having trouble attaining those, we may have 148 00:11:15,839 --> 00:11:23,839 them in the human resources office, but try with your own records first. Um, we 149 00:11:21,760 --> 00:11:29,120 should have them, but I can't guarantee it. Um, but you would, it's on you to be 150 00:11:27,200 --> 00:11:32,800 able to provide those. So, if you can't find them, if you can't get them, reach 151 00:11:30,959 --> 00:11:38,040 out to us and we'll try to see if we have a copy of them to get to you. Okay. 152 00:11:39,440 --> 00:11:48,640 So, when it comes to the plan selection, like I just said, you're responsible for 153 00:11:43,839 --> 00:11:52,720 it. Um, the GIC does have some what I'm calling provider assistance. 154 00:11:51,040 --> 00:11:58,079 So, we'll put all this information, links to it up onto our on our website 155 00:11:55,040 --> 00:12:02,399 on our GIC information page. And what the provider assistance would 156 00:12:00,160 --> 00:12:06,639 be is that we'll we have phone numbers for all of these providers. So, I'll go 157 00:12:04,160 --> 00:12:09,680 through the providers in a few minutes. And each one of them has a phone number 158 00:12:08,399 --> 00:12:13,440 that you can call if you're having questions about what the plan covers. 159 00:12:11,519 --> 00:12:18,720 You just want to let them know that you are not an active member of the plan, 160 00:12:16,320 --> 00:12:22,399 but you're transitioning over to the GIC and you're taking a look at your options 161 00:12:20,959 --> 00:12:26,480 and these are the things that you usually need coverage for. What would it 162 00:12:24,320 --> 00:12:31,040 look like on your plan? Can you give me any estimates of costs or any questions 163 00:12:28,880 --> 00:12:36,639 that you might have? Um, so you can call these providers directly. Um, also I 164 00:12:35,120 --> 00:12:42,000 would I would recommend in most circumstances that you verify your care 165 00:12:40,399 --> 00:12:46,079 providers as well. So, not just the insurance providers, but the care 166 00:12:43,760 --> 00:12:50,639 providers just to make sure that they're accepting the insurance that you're that 167 00:12:48,000 --> 00:12:55,360 you're looking for. Right now, all of you probably know we have Harvard 168 00:12:52,079 --> 00:12:59,519 Pilgrim as our insurance provider. The GIC does offer a number of Harvard 169 00:12:57,760 --> 00:13:03,360 Pilgrim plans as well. So, the likelihood that you would have to change 170 00:13:01,120 --> 00:13:08,240 a doctor if you went on to the GIC's version of the Harvard Pilgrim plan is 171 00:13:06,079 --> 00:13:12,639 definitely a lot lower than if we were going to a company that's different than 172 00:13:10,079 --> 00:13:17,360 Harvard Pilgrim, but you still should check. That's not a bad thing to do. Um, 173 00:13:15,760 --> 00:13:23,040 and then we do have some additional resources that we mailed out to you. Um, 174 00:13:20,320 --> 00:13:26,399 the GIC's website is a great um is a great resource. Maybe when we get to the 175 00:13:24,560 --> 00:13:30,639 question and answer, I can use the computer here and we can go to some of 176 00:13:28,880 --> 00:13:37,519 those pages together and I can show you where those resources live. 177 00:13:34,000 --> 00:13:42,480 Okay, how are we doing? Okay, I'm doing all right, thanks for asking. 178 00:13:40,000 --> 00:13:46,079 Um, but we have a few more slides to go through, but this is this is the stuff 179 00:13:44,240 --> 00:13:51,200 probably that you all came for, which is about the plans themselves. 180 00:13:49,279 --> 00:13:55,600 So, right now I'm going to be talking mainly to folks that are under Medicare 181 00:13:53,760 --> 00:13:59,360 age. So, if right now you're on a Medicare plan, the stuff that I'm going 182 00:13:58,000 --> 00:14:03,839 to talk about for the next couple of slides won't necessarily apply to you 183 00:14:01,760 --> 00:14:07,920 all that much. I didn't say this at the top and I'm sorry to the people on Zoom, 184 00:14:06,079 --> 00:14:12,160 but we do have some cookies and some water over there. So, if you're over 65 185 00:14:10,720 --> 00:14:17,519 and you're you're feeling a little rumbly in the tumbly, you can head over 186 00:14:14,639 --> 00:14:23,160 there and grab a cookie um or a glass of water as we make it through this next 187 00:14:19,279 --> 00:14:23,160 session. Yes. 188 00:14:23,760 --> 00:14:30,639 And for the folks that don't have don't have Medicare but are of Medicare age, 189 00:14:28,560 --> 00:14:35,279 is that what Yes, we can talk about that too. Yep. So, these would probably be 190 00:14:33,279 --> 00:14:39,360 the plans that would apply to you, too. So, if you're one of those folks, then 191 00:14:37,839 --> 00:14:46,880 yes, definitely pay close attention here. So, um, our active employee and 192 00:14:43,680 --> 00:14:51,839 non-Medicare, uh, retiree plans. So, the GIC offers four different insurance 193 00:14:50,000 --> 00:14:55,839 carriers. So, we have where they're going to have Harvard Pilgrim, which we 194 00:14:53,839 --> 00:15:02,160 know and are familiar with. They're going to have um, Health New England, 195 00:14:58,320 --> 00:15:06,639 Mass General, Brighgam, and Wellpoint. And with these four carriers, there's 196 00:15:04,720 --> 00:15:10,959 going to be eight different plan options. So, you'll have eight different 197 00:15:08,399 --> 00:15:14,160 choices to make. So, there's going to be various plan types that I'm going to 198 00:15:12,560 --> 00:15:18,000 talk about that you may or may not be familiar. So, I'll just tell you a 199 00:15:15,920 --> 00:15:24,160 little bit about them. So, some of the plans, they are a HM HMO 200 00:15:21,279 --> 00:15:29,120 plan. So, probably we're familiar with HMO plans because that's what we have 201 00:15:26,240 --> 00:15:34,160 currently. If you're an active employee, you're likely to have a HMO plan um 202 00:15:32,240 --> 00:15:39,040 because that's what we offer now. So, pretty much what an HMO plan means um is 203 00:15:36,880 --> 00:15:43,760 that you have to stay in the network. So, there's a defined network of 204 00:15:40,880 --> 00:15:48,000 providers and you really can't go outside of that network. So, there's a 205 00:15:46,000 --> 00:15:51,920 lot less flexibility there when you're choosing who your care provider is going 206 00:15:50,399 --> 00:15:57,680 to be. You have to make sure they're on that list or in that network. Then you 207 00:15:55,279 --> 00:16:02,880 have a new plan type to us here at least in Belmont and that's called a POSOS 208 00:16:00,560 --> 00:16:07,759 insurance plan. So a point of service insurance plan. These are actually 209 00:16:05,120 --> 00:16:11,519 pretty interesting um because you can mainly stay in the network. So there's 210 00:16:09,519 --> 00:16:16,800 going to be a network sort of like the HMO plan, but also you have a some more 211 00:16:14,959 --> 00:16:23,360 flexibility. You have some additional options. So you can see providers that 212 00:16:20,160 --> 00:16:28,240 are out of network on a POS plan. So, it's almost like a PO plan in that way, 213 00:16:25,360 --> 00:16:32,399 but not quite. Um, it's it's an HMO style plan. If you see somebody that's 214 00:16:29,920 --> 00:16:35,759 out of network, you'll get some coverage toward it, but it's probably going to be 215 00:16:33,839 --> 00:16:41,199 more expensive. So, you just have to weigh the pros and cons there. Then 216 00:16:38,480 --> 00:16:46,800 there's the PO plan. We have PO plans now. We have a few employees that are on 217 00:16:43,519 --> 00:16:52,720 PO plans. There will be um PO plans with the GIC. It's a PO plan. It will give 218 00:16:49,519 --> 00:16:57,600 you more choices. Um, pretty much your approach to a PO should be you'll have 219 00:16:54,639 --> 00:17:01,440 access to the network of providers. If you go to somebody in network, great. 220 00:17:00,160 --> 00:17:06,480 You might be able to save a little bit of money that way, but you can also see 221 00:17:04,480 --> 00:17:09,679 people out of network as well. So, if you have special conditions or seeing 222 00:17:08,240 --> 00:17:13,679 certain specialists that you want to make sure you can see, going on a PO 223 00:17:12,480 --> 00:17:18,480 plan would give you the greatest likelihood that you'll be able to get 224 00:17:15,120 --> 00:17:24,319 some coverage um there as well. Then the last type of plan is an indemnity plan. 225 00:17:22,000 --> 00:17:30,320 These types of plans, you have the most freedom there to choose your providers. 226 00:17:27,439 --> 00:17:34,080 Um, but with that type of freedom, it kind of works like our current PO plan 227 00:17:32,160 --> 00:17:38,240 now where it's very very expensive and we don't have very many people on it. 228 00:17:36,000 --> 00:17:42,160 Um, but because you can have access to pretty much anybody across the country, 229 00:17:40,720 --> 00:17:47,280 that's a lot of risk to the insurance company. So that bumps up those the 230 00:17:44,640 --> 00:17:51,520 premium of the plan and then also the cost sharing of the plan as well. Um but 231 00:17:49,919 --> 00:17:56,400 that'll give you the most amount of freedom um to choose who you want to 232 00:17:53,840 --> 00:18:00,320 have as your care provider. So we have a little chart that's down here. I know 233 00:17:58,240 --> 00:18:05,440 it's probably impossible for you to see, but we will put this um online uh for 234 00:18:03,679 --> 00:18:09,679 folks to take a look at, but it does compare um the in network care, the out 235 00:18:08,000 --> 00:18:13,919 of network care, the out of network costs um and a few other factors that 236 00:18:12,400 --> 00:18:17,039 you may or may not be interested in. It's not going to give you hard numbers, 237 00:18:15,200 --> 00:18:21,679 but it's going to give you whether or not this usually happens with this plan 238 00:18:19,120 --> 00:18:24,720 or definitely happens with this plan. Um those types of things. So, hopefully 239 00:18:22,880 --> 00:18:29,440 that's a helpful tool. Now, if you have specific questions, I may revert back to 240 00:18:26,559 --> 00:18:33,919 this slide to help me out. So, your current premium rates or your 241 00:18:32,240 --> 00:18:38,080 premium rates. So, what is this all going to cost? Um, so the important 242 00:18:36,080 --> 00:18:42,559 thing to know is that the cost sharing arrangement that you have now is not 243 00:18:40,160 --> 00:18:47,280 changing. So, if you're a member of a collective bargaining agreement, um, 244 00:18:45,360 --> 00:18:50,880 your cost sharing that's built into that collective bargaining agreement is going 245 00:18:48,640 --> 00:18:56,720 to stay the same. whatever the GIC costs, we're taking those that that that 246 00:18:54,640 --> 00:19:01,760 system and we're applying it to the GIC's costs. Um, so that's how that's 247 00:19:00,080 --> 00:19:05,760 working. So if you are somebody who knows in the back of your mind that I'm 248 00:19:03,200 --> 00:19:11,039 an 8020 person, then you're still going to be an 8020 person. If you know that 249 00:19:07,840 --> 00:19:15,840 you're a 7525 person, where 75% of the premium is paid for by the town and 25% 250 00:19:13,840 --> 00:19:19,679 falls to you, you're still going to be a 7525% 251 00:19:17,440 --> 00:19:24,960 person. That's not changing. If you're on a PO plan and you're a 50/50 cost 252 00:19:23,280 --> 00:19:30,160 sharing person, that's going to stay the same. So, whatever the GIC is charging, 253 00:19:27,360 --> 00:19:34,799 we're applying that structure to the GIC. So, that's how we came up with our 254 00:19:32,000 --> 00:19:38,799 rates. Um, I talked about this already. The premiums are paid one month in 255 00:19:36,240 --> 00:19:45,039 advance. Um, so the first paycheck in December, so December 2026 or the 256 00:19:41,919 --> 00:19:49,919 December 2026 pension if you're retired, that will have the new premium amount in 257 00:19:47,840 --> 00:19:55,280 it. uh based off of the plan that you selected. 258 00:19:51,919 --> 00:19:59,600 So once you select your plan in October, the reason why we're having you do it so 259 00:19:56,799 --> 00:20:03,039 early is once you all pick your plans, then that information is going to come 260 00:20:01,039 --> 00:20:06,880 to the three of us and then we're going to have to apply all your rates to it. 261 00:20:05,200 --> 00:20:11,919 Um so that's going to be a big lift, but we'll do it. We'll we'll do it. It'll be 262 00:20:08,640 --> 00:20:16,720 a good workout for us. Um, but what I want you to remember as I go through all 263 00:20:13,600 --> 00:20:22,960 these premium costs, um, is very important is that the premium is only 264 00:20:19,840 --> 00:20:29,440 part of your health insurance cost. That's the part that I deal with, um, 265 00:20:25,760 --> 00:20:34,400 here in the town of Belmont. Um, is what comes out of your paychecks um, when you 266 00:20:32,240 --> 00:20:38,799 get your paycheck. But after you get your paycheck, you spend it however you 267 00:20:36,240 --> 00:20:42,400 want. And that applies to your health insurance in a way too because there's 268 00:20:40,720 --> 00:20:46,400 cost sharing, there's deductibles, there's all these other factors of your 269 00:20:44,400 --> 00:20:51,039 health insurance that goes beyond just the cost that I'm going to talk about 270 00:20:48,000 --> 00:20:54,559 today. So that's where you come in where you're going to have to take a look at 271 00:20:52,159 --> 00:20:58,799 these different plans to see which plan would work best for you by taking a look 272 00:20:56,559 --> 00:21:04,360 at some of those additional costs beyond just what the premium is. 273 00:21:01,360 --> 00:21:04,360 Okay, 274 00:21:04,559 --> 00:21:12,320 so our first plan that we can talk about um is from Mass General Bighgam. Um so 275 00:21:10,400 --> 00:21:17,919 again, these are for people that are active employees and that are 276 00:21:14,480 --> 00:21:24,559 non-Medicare retirees. Um so people that are either under the age of 65 or people 277 00:21:20,960 --> 00:21:29,440 that may not be eligible for Medicare. So how these plans work, this is just a 278 00:21:26,960 --> 00:21:34,000 HMO plan. So the Mass General Brighgam is just an HMO plan. So you have to keep 279 00:21:31,840 --> 00:21:38,559 yourself limited to the network defined by Mass General Bighgam. Um it's a 280 00:21:36,480 --> 00:21:43,760 pretty broad network across the state of Massachusetts. So you should be able to 281 00:21:40,320 --> 00:21:48,480 find some care providers there. Um some advantages to this is that it is a broad 282 00:21:46,240 --> 00:21:54,480 network plan. So it's not limited. So similar to the HMO plan that we have now 283 00:21:51,360 --> 00:21:58,880 that's kind of broad across the state um and across the region. Um, this one too 284 00:21:57,200 --> 00:22:03,679 is a broader network, so it's not a limited network plan. It would work the 285 00:22:01,520 --> 00:22:07,919 same as your current HMO if you're on it. It' be coordinated care. So, what 286 00:22:05,760 --> 00:22:11,440 does that mean? You have you feel something's up, something's wrong, you 287 00:22:09,600 --> 00:22:15,760 talk to your primary care physician. If it's a first time thing, your primary 288 00:22:13,600 --> 00:22:20,320 care physician gives you a referral to see a specialist. So, you still will 289 00:22:18,080 --> 00:22:27,039 need referrals under this plan, the same as our as our current um structure of a 290 00:22:23,600 --> 00:22:31,039 plan. So, the things to consider when you're choosing this plan, if you wanted 291 00:22:28,640 --> 00:22:37,520 to choose it, um, is that out of network coverage, um, is generally very, very 292 00:22:34,000 --> 00:22:42,080 limited because it's an HMO plan, um, when you compare it to a PO or the 293 00:22:39,600 --> 00:22:46,960 indemnity plan. So, you really just have to stick to the people that take this 294 00:22:44,159 --> 00:22:51,760 insurance. So, what I would do since this is a a new company that we're 295 00:22:50,400 --> 00:22:56,400 dealing with here, if you're interested in the Mass General Brigam plan is to 296 00:22:54,080 --> 00:23:01,360 call your care providers to see if they accept it. Um, this would definitely be 297 00:22:59,120 --> 00:23:04,960 one that you would want to call about. Um, so this one's sort of best suited 298 00:23:03,520 --> 00:23:10,559 for somebody who wants a broad Massachusetts network and is comfortable 299 00:23:07,679 --> 00:23:15,039 receiving care within an HMO network. So, that's kind of similar to what it is 300 00:23:12,240 --> 00:23:20,159 that we have. Now the next plan option that we have is from Harvard Pilgrim and 301 00:23:17,520 --> 00:23:26,159 this is um called the Harvard Pilgrim Access America Plan. This is their PO 302 00:23:23,760 --> 00:23:30,799 plan. So when you hear PO you should think a bit more expensive of a premium 303 00:23:28,720 --> 00:23:36,480 just like our current PO is a more expensive premium. Um so this provides 304 00:23:33,840 --> 00:23:40,080 national coverage. So it's not limited or broad just to the state of 305 00:23:38,080 --> 00:23:45,520 Massachusetts but it's national coverage that you can receive. um you'll have 306 00:23:43,200 --> 00:23:50,400 access to the network, the Harvard Pilgrim Network through the GIC, but 307 00:23:48,000 --> 00:23:55,200 also you'll have some flexibility to see care providers outside of the network as 308 00:23:53,039 --> 00:23:59,200 well. So, the advantages here is that you have a national network. You have 309 00:23:57,200 --> 00:24:05,120 greater flexibility when you're choosing providers and it's particularly useful 310 00:24:01,919 --> 00:24:09,280 to people who travel a lot um outside of the state of Massachusetts. But if 311 00:24:07,039 --> 00:24:14,640 you're not one of those folks, then you know, maybe the PO plan is not for you. 312 00:24:11,360 --> 00:24:17,120 But it's up to you to decide. Um, so the things to consider would be that the 313 00:24:16,000 --> 00:24:20,880 costs are going to be a little bit higher when it comes to your premiums 314 00:24:19,120 --> 00:24:25,840 that you're paying out of your paycheck or out of your pension. Um, and it's 315 00:24:23,279 --> 00:24:32,000 going to be still at the 50/50 cost sharing. So our current PO that we have 316 00:24:27,760 --> 00:24:36,880 now is at a 50/50 cost sharing. This PO is comparable to that. So it's going to 317 00:24:34,400 --> 00:24:40,559 be a 50/50 cost sharing as well. So, just know that um that it's going to be 318 00:24:38,799 --> 00:24:45,600 a little bit more on the expensive side as far as the premium goes. 319 00:24:43,360 --> 00:24:50,240 The next one is the Harvard Pilgrim Explorer Plan. So, this is a point of 320 00:24:48,240 --> 00:24:53,919 service plan. So, that's that new type of plan that I was talking about. It's 321 00:24:51,919 --> 00:24:57,440 not all that new, but in the grand scheme of things, but new to us. Um kind 322 00:24:56,000 --> 00:25:03,120 of like a used car, but better than a new used car. It's a brand new car to 323 00:24:59,200 --> 00:25:10,880 us. Um so, this is a broad network plan. Um, and it combines the features of an 324 00:25:06,640 --> 00:25:15,360 HMO and a PO. So members generally will get their care from the network on the 325 00:25:12,960 --> 00:25:19,520 plan at the defined network at a lower cost, but if they wanted to see somebody 326 00:25:17,440 --> 00:25:23,120 outside of the network, they would be able to get some coverage toward it. 327 00:25:21,679 --> 00:25:26,559 Might not be the most coverage in the world, um, or equivalent to people that 328 00:25:25,120 --> 00:25:32,880 are in networks, you may pay a little bit more, um, but it is available to you 329 00:25:29,919 --> 00:25:38,320 usually at a higher cost. The advantage here is that it's a little bit more 330 00:25:34,320 --> 00:25:41,600 flexible than your um traditional HMO. It's got that broad network again, so 331 00:25:40,080 --> 00:25:46,960 it'll cover you anywhere you live here in the Massachusetts in Massachusetts. 332 00:25:44,159 --> 00:25:53,200 Um and it provides you with that option for folks that occasionally might need 333 00:25:49,360 --> 00:25:57,600 or might like to receive care outside of our defined network. 334 00:25:55,520 --> 00:26:02,159 Okay. So, if you're looking for something that has some flexibility, 335 00:25:59,440 --> 00:26:05,919 that's not a bad option. very similar to the the plan that we have now but might 336 00:26:04,240 --> 00:26:13,279 have some enhancements to it because it's beyond just a traditional HMO. 337 00:26:10,240 --> 00:26:18,640 Then we have the quality HMO plan. Uh the quality HMO plan is another plan 338 00:26:15,520 --> 00:26:24,480 that's offered through Harvard Pilgrim. It has a limited network. Um so again 339 00:26:22,480 --> 00:26:28,480 it's like a like your HMO. So you have that list of providers. If you'd go to 340 00:26:26,320 --> 00:26:32,320 somebody who's outside of that list, you may not be able to get coverage or the 341 00:26:30,640 --> 00:26:37,520 coverage would be limited, very, very limited coverage. Um, so this can be 342 00:26:35,200 --> 00:26:41,039 seen sort of as a lower cost option when you're thinking about your paycheck, 343 00:26:38,960 --> 00:26:46,320 when you're thinking about your pension check. Um, that the premium will be a 344 00:26:43,440 --> 00:26:49,919 little bit lower. Um, it still provides that traditional coordinated approach to 345 00:26:48,320 --> 00:26:55,840 care where you need to have referrals from your primary care doctor. 346 00:26:52,480 --> 00:27:00,159 um it's a good option um for people that might have um care providers that are 347 00:26:58,559 --> 00:27:03,840 already in the network. So, if you already have people that are inside the 348 00:27:01,679 --> 00:27:08,000 network and you're looking to save some money there, then this one might not be 349 00:27:05,840 --> 00:27:13,520 a bad option for you. But again, remember premiums are only part of the 350 00:27:10,400 --> 00:27:18,039 cost. So, um you may want to take a look at the details of the plan as well. 351 00:27:19,200 --> 00:27:24,559 How we doing? Okay, it's a lot of plans. It's a lot of plans. Write down your 352 00:27:23,120 --> 00:27:28,400 questions. Make sure you have questions because it's it's tough hearing yourself 353 00:27:26,559 --> 00:27:33,840 talk throughout these entire things. You know, you get kind of tired of your own 354 00:27:30,080 --> 00:27:39,200 voice. Um, thank you, Pam. I appreciate it. Um, so the next one is with another 355 00:27:36,720 --> 00:27:43,520 new company. Um, and this is Health New England. It's available again to all of 356 00:27:41,440 --> 00:27:50,320 the active folks and all the non-Medare retirees. It's another HMO plan. This 357 00:27:47,039 --> 00:27:53,120 one is a regional network. So, that's a really important detail because when I 358 00:27:52,000 --> 00:27:59,120 show you the prices, you'll be like, "Hey, this one looks pretty affordable." 359 00:27:56,000 --> 00:28:03,840 Um, but it's it's mainly geared toward folks that live out in Western Mass. So, 360 00:28:01,679 --> 00:28:08,080 if there's anybody out there on Zoom that's zooming in from Western Mass, 361 00:28:06,399 --> 00:28:13,200 maybe this plan might be interesting to you. If anybody here commuted in from 362 00:28:11,039 --> 00:28:16,720 Western Mass and get your care out in Western Mass, then maybe this plan is an 363 00:28:15,760 --> 00:28:20,640 option for you. I'm not trying to dissuade you from it. I just want you to 364 00:28:18,240 --> 00:28:24,960 know where that um regional network is. So, it's really for the folks out there 365 00:28:22,240 --> 00:28:29,200 in the western part of the state. Um but it's an HMO, so there's going to be that 366 00:28:26,799 --> 00:28:33,440 network of of folks, coordinated care, so referrals, things like that, similar 367 00:28:31,039 --> 00:28:37,600 to what it is that we have now. Another brand new company to us, it's been 368 00:28:35,440 --> 00:28:42,640 around for a while, but it's new to us, um is Wellpoint. So, Wellpoint is 369 00:28:40,000 --> 00:28:48,880 another health insurance company that um is offered through the GIC to all of our 370 00:28:45,440 --> 00:28:52,159 active and non-Medare retirees. This uh particular one is called the Wellpoint 371 00:28:50,720 --> 00:28:54,960 total Choice. There's going to be a couple of Wellpoint plans, so make sure 372 00:28:53,760 --> 00:29:02,000 you're thinking this is the total choice. Um this is the indemnity plan 373 00:28:58,559 --> 00:29:05,919 option that is offered by the GIC. So, this is a different type of plan than 374 00:29:03,440 --> 00:29:09,600 what we've had um in the in the past. Um, we have had a PO that provides us 375 00:29:08,000 --> 00:29:14,480 with out of network coverage, but the indemnity plans, they're like a step 376 00:29:11,440 --> 00:29:18,480 above the PO plan when it comes to the freedom and independence that you have 377 00:29:16,480 --> 00:29:23,840 to select your own care provider. So, with this one, I hate to say it, but you 378 00:29:21,120 --> 00:29:27,360 may be able to see anybody that you want to see. Don't quote me on that, but just 379 00:29:25,760 --> 00:29:30,159 about anybody. There going to be one of you that says, "I have the indemnity 380 00:29:28,720 --> 00:29:35,039 plan," and they said they didn't take it. But for most cases, um, this one you 381 00:29:33,600 --> 00:29:38,799 can see pretty much whoever it is that you want. This is going to provide you 382 00:29:36,880 --> 00:29:44,240 with the most amount of flexibility when choosing your health care providers. Um, 383 00:29:41,520 --> 00:29:49,600 unlike the HMO, members are not limited to that HMO structure. Um, so it's not 384 00:29:47,840 --> 00:29:53,200 really it's not that coordinated care. So if you want to go see a specialist 385 00:29:51,200 --> 00:29:57,120 somewhere and you don't want to talk to your primary care first and get a 386 00:29:54,880 --> 00:30:03,279 referral, you can go and see that person um, with this with this plan. So, it's 387 00:29:59,840 --> 00:30:07,760 really a big plan for uh people who need flexibility. Why would you need 388 00:30:04,640 --> 00:30:11,840 flexibility? Um, if you have pretty serious health conditions or somebody in 389 00:30:09,600 --> 00:30:16,080 your family that you're that you are taking care of that has more serious 390 00:30:13,840 --> 00:30:19,840 health conditions, this plan might be an option for you because you may want to 391 00:30:17,600 --> 00:30:23,679 have everything available to you that you have. Um, but it may not work for 392 00:30:22,000 --> 00:30:27,919 everybody. Not everybody may need to have a plan with that amount of um 393 00:30:25,840 --> 00:30:33,120 choice. So the next one uh from wellpoint is a 394 00:30:30,159 --> 00:30:39,840 PO type plan. Um so this is very similar to um how PPOs work. Um however it's 395 00:30:37,600 --> 00:30:45,360 when we talk about our cost sharing arrangement um with where PPOs are 396 00:30:42,799 --> 00:30:52,080 usually 50/50. Uh this one is going to be uh at the 7525 price point um for 397 00:30:49,360 --> 00:30:57,600 cost sharing across the town. So this offers a pretty broad provider access. 398 00:30:54,720 --> 00:31:03,760 It's more flexible than your traditional HMO. 399 00:30:59,120 --> 00:31:08,960 Um, but you generally still do receive the best bang for your buck by seeing 400 00:31:06,159 --> 00:31:13,360 people that are in the network. So, even though you can see people outside of the 401 00:31:10,640 --> 00:31:16,480 network, if you do that, then they're going to be more expensive. You're going 402 00:31:14,640 --> 00:31:19,760 to get some cost sharing toward it, you're going to get some coverage toward 403 00:31:17,760 --> 00:31:25,679 it, but it's going to be uh more expensive. Um, so it's it's pretty good. 404 00:31:23,760 --> 00:31:30,720 It would be a good advice, I think, um, to compare not just the premium here, 405 00:31:28,159 --> 00:31:34,240 but to compare, um, the different cost sharing things in the plans themselves. 406 00:31:32,720 --> 00:31:37,679 So, if you're trying to think of like the Harvard Pilgrim Plan, and then 407 00:31:36,159 --> 00:31:41,039 you're you're thinking of the Wellpoint plan, the Wellpoint plan, this one's a 408 00:31:39,200 --> 00:31:44,559 little bit cheaper, definitely take a look at the things that affect you. So 409 00:31:43,200 --> 00:31:49,200 try to take a look at those plan documents or give a call to the 410 00:31:47,279 --> 00:31:54,720 individual providers to talk about the things that you usually need care for uh 411 00:31:52,159 --> 00:32:01,679 to see what the what the actual benefit will be to you. Um perfect. 412 00:31:58,880 --> 00:32:05,919 The next one is uh called Wellpoint Community Choice. This is another 413 00:32:03,760 --> 00:32:09,600 limited network plan. So similar to that Health New England plan that I talked 414 00:32:07,600 --> 00:32:15,760 about. So this is going to give you a very small or smaller I shouldn't say 415 00:32:12,640 --> 00:32:22,399 vary but smaller um list of providers that you can see um across the across 416 00:32:18,640 --> 00:32:27,440 the area. Um so it has a very it has a designated set of providers. Um 417 00:32:25,919 --> 00:32:31,679 again it's the same thing. A lot of this is repeating but um you get the best 418 00:32:29,840 --> 00:32:34,880 benefit when you're using the network. So if you're going outside of the 419 00:32:33,039 --> 00:32:38,240 network because this is another PO type but it's a limited network. if you're 420 00:32:36,720 --> 00:32:43,519 going outside of that network, it's going to be a bit of a higher cost to 421 00:32:40,080 --> 00:32:47,360 you. So, this one um would be good for somebody who's looking for a PO type 422 00:32:45,600 --> 00:32:52,720 plan, who might want to see people from time to time outside of network, um but 423 00:32:50,480 --> 00:32:58,760 they're comfortable also using just generally a more limited network than 424 00:32:55,039 --> 00:32:58,760 some of the other plans. 425 00:33:00,799 --> 00:33:07,840 You're doing okay still? I'm doing all right. I have one right 426 00:33:05,360 --> 00:33:12,640 behind me, I think. Um, so those are all of our active plans. Um, I'll go through 427 00:33:10,799 --> 00:33:16,960 some of the rates in just a little bit, but I'll go over the for all you folks 428 00:33:14,559 --> 00:33:22,640 that waited patiently um on Zoom and also here in the room um who are are 429 00:33:20,159 --> 00:33:27,039 Medicare folks, um this is going to be applying to you. For those of you that 430 00:33:24,559 --> 00:33:32,080 are still young whippers snappers out there, um and and not and not Medicare 431 00:33:30,240 --> 00:33:35,919 age yet, uh this is what you have to look forward to. So, it's still good 432 00:33:33,760 --> 00:33:39,360 information, but just like I said to our Medicare retirees, and I apologize to 433 00:33:37,840 --> 00:33:42,720 the folks that are on Zoom, but we do have some cookies in the room. So, if 434 00:33:41,279 --> 00:33:45,919 you're not interested in listening and you would like to get some fuel, you 435 00:33:44,159 --> 00:33:51,200 can. They're right over there. Some water, too, is provided over there. 436 00:33:49,200 --> 00:33:54,640 So, the Medicare retiree plans, again, we're going to have four insurance 437 00:33:52,559 --> 00:33:57,760 carriers, very similar to the active plans. Some are a little bit different. 438 00:33:56,320 --> 00:34:01,519 So, we're going to have Harvard Pilgrim again. We're going to have Health New 439 00:33:59,760 --> 00:34:05,840 England. I'll talk about their their plan. You're going to have TUS. So, some 440 00:34:03,919 --> 00:34:11,280 of you may have out in Zoomland or here in the room, you may have our TUS 441 00:34:07,279 --> 00:34:16,960 Medicare supplement already. The um the GIC offers a TUS plan as well. Um and 442 00:34:15,119 --> 00:34:22,079 then the last one is Wellpoint. So, Wellpoint is another um Medicare plan uh 443 00:34:20,399 --> 00:34:26,480 that we that we offer. These are Medicare supplement plans and one of 444 00:34:24,000 --> 00:34:32,000 them is a Medicare advantage type plan and that is the um that's the TUS plan. 445 00:34:30,480 --> 00:34:36,480 So, what are the differences? So, some of you who are of Medicare uh age and on 446 00:34:34,720 --> 00:34:40,159 on Medicare supplements right now may know the difference already, but I'll 447 00:34:37,839 --> 00:34:43,839 just go over it again. So, a Medicare supplement, which is just like what we 448 00:34:41,839 --> 00:34:48,000 have now in the town of Belmont, um means that you have your original 449 00:34:45,280 --> 00:34:54,320 Medicare. Original Medicare is the first two letters of the alphabet, A and B. 450 00:34:52,159 --> 00:34:58,400 So, you have your original Medicare and then in addition to that, you have your 451 00:34:56,320 --> 00:35:02,560 supplements. So they work together as a team to provide you with the coverage 452 00:35:01,040 --> 00:35:08,320 that you need. >> Medicare advantage plan or Medicare 453 00:35:05,040 --> 00:35:12,800 Advantage types. Um what the advantage plan is doing for you is it's working 454 00:35:10,400 --> 00:35:16,800 almost like your HMO would have worked which is that they're sort of managing 455 00:35:14,400 --> 00:35:21,920 your what your benefit is for you. So, you still have to be on Medicare A and 456 00:35:19,200 --> 00:35:28,640 B, your original Medicare, but um your Medicare benefits and your additional 457 00:35:24,720 --> 00:35:32,640 benefits are managed through um the advantage plan. So, instead of 458 00:35:30,560 --> 00:35:37,040 coordinating between the two, the advantage plan just sort of takes care 459 00:35:34,480 --> 00:35:42,000 of everything for you. Um so, what's the bottom line here? Um 460 00:35:39,920 --> 00:35:48,000 with a Medicare supplement, original Medicare remains your primary coverage. 461 00:35:45,040 --> 00:35:53,359 And with a Medicare Advantage plan, the health plan itself manages your Medicare 462 00:35:50,240 --> 00:35:58,880 benefits and its network plan rules become a little bit more important. So 463 00:35:55,680 --> 00:36:01,839 that's that's the scoop there. Another thing um that I didn't talk 464 00:36:00,480 --> 00:36:08,000 about on that slide that I'll talk about here um is that all of these Medicare 465 00:36:05,520 --> 00:36:11,839 plans that I'm going to talk about offer prescription drug coverage. So that's 466 00:36:09,920 --> 00:36:16,160 why I say it's just the first two letters of the alphabet in Medicare. 467 00:36:13,839 --> 00:36:21,280 Medicare Part D is prescription drug coverage if you're transitioning to 468 00:36:18,160 --> 00:36:25,839 Medicare um or if you're already there. Um you don't need to have part D if 469 00:36:23,440 --> 00:36:30,720 you're on the town's plan now and you don't need to have part D if you're on 470 00:36:27,599 --> 00:36:34,160 the GIC's plan. So really no change um as far as how we're going to manage that 471 00:36:32,480 --> 00:36:39,040 for helping to shepherd people through their retirement. Um so you will have 472 00:36:37,280 --> 00:36:42,880 prescription drug coverage included in all these plans. It's going to be 473 00:36:40,400 --> 00:36:47,760 through Silver Script, uh, which is a a CVS Health company. 474 00:36:45,520 --> 00:36:51,119 Um, so like what did I miss here? So yes, it's going to be similar to what it 475 00:36:49,520 --> 00:36:54,960 is that we have now, which is that it's going to be tiered. So some of you may 476 00:36:52,960 --> 00:36:59,040 be familiar with this already. You may have been told this by your doctor or at 477 00:36:57,200 --> 00:37:03,280 the pharmacy that if you're getting certain drugs, they'll be tier one, tier 478 00:37:01,040 --> 00:37:10,240 two, tier three. And depending upon what tier it's in, that will determine how 479 00:37:06,079 --> 00:37:15,359 much it costs. Um, it might mean by transitioning over to the GIC that some 480 00:37:13,280 --> 00:37:18,640 of your prescriptions might increase a little bit. It might mean that they 481 00:37:16,880 --> 00:37:25,040 might decrease a little bit. It is a new plan. If you're looking to anticipate 482 00:37:20,800 --> 00:37:29,040 that, um, the the GIC does have a prescription calculator, if you can 483 00:37:26,880 --> 00:37:32,560 imagine such a thing. It's actually more simple than you think. You put the name 484 00:37:30,480 --> 00:37:37,440 of your prescription in there that you use and then it spits back out at you 485 00:37:35,040 --> 00:37:41,760 the the cost that would be to you at the pharmacy. So, I've done this with a 486 00:37:39,440 --> 00:37:46,240 couple of people on the phone and unfortunately I don't have too much good 487 00:37:44,000 --> 00:37:52,640 news to report but I'm an honest guy so I'll tell you that um you know it was 488 00:37:49,040 --> 00:37:56,000 like $10 more a prescription. Um but that's not going to mean that's going to 489 00:37:53,760 --> 00:37:59,680 be $10 for everybody in this room but like I said I'm an honest guy so I'm 490 00:37:57,440 --> 00:38:04,160 telling you. But you'd have to check for your own um prescriptions because maybe 491 00:38:02,320 --> 00:38:11,680 hopefully my fingers are crossed for you. Your prescriptions are $10 less, 492 00:38:07,040 --> 00:38:15,119 maybe even more, but we'll see. Um so let's see. 493 00:38:13,599 --> 00:38:20,720 Perfect, perfect, perfect. So down there at the bottom, big thing to know, any 494 00:38:17,359 --> 00:38:23,920 GIC Medicare plan offers medical plus prescription coverage. You're getting 495 00:38:22,079 --> 00:38:28,480 them both. Question. Oh boy. All right, I'll take a break. You want to come up 496 00:38:25,440 --> 00:38:31,480 here? No, I'm kidding. Yeah. 497 00:38:39,440 --> 00:38:44,400 » Sue, is that a question that you can help us with? Because we've had a few of 498 00:38:42,480 --> 00:38:50,880 these questions. So, do they have to go to CVS and how does this compare 499 00:38:48,000 --> 00:38:54,240 » between Etna that they have now and going over to this CBS? Because they're 500 00:38:52,720 --> 00:38:57,240 both called Silver Scripts, so it can be confusing. 501 00:38:59,599 --> 00:39:06,720 CVS, but it doesn't 502 00:39:03,359 --> 00:39:14,640 have to use CVS. Sorry. Um you can for the most part 503 00:39:11,359 --> 00:39:18,200 there is a network ofies but you know they almost 504 00:39:26,079 --> 00:39:32,000 » very likely yes so just like what Sue said um so for the folks on Zoom there 505 00:39:30,640 --> 00:39:37,119 was a question I don't know if you heard it or not and that was um because this 506 00:39:34,720 --> 00:39:42,640 plan is called CVS silver script, you have to use CVS and our health 507 00:39:39,440 --> 00:39:47,680 consultant Sue said that um you do not um CVS's will of course be included. Um 508 00:39:45,200 --> 00:39:53,359 but it's that's just the company's name. Uh but you can go to many manyarmacies 509 00:39:50,800 --> 00:39:57,200 across the across the state. So the next question was somebody see goes to 510 00:39:55,520 --> 00:40:01,760 Harvard Vanguard which a lot of people do. Um and they the Harvard Vanguards 511 00:40:00,160 --> 00:40:04,880 are pretty cool because they they have like everything all in one building. So 512 00:40:03,359 --> 00:40:08,880 it makes it kind of nice. You can get your appointment up top and then you go 513 00:40:06,800 --> 00:40:14,000 downstairs to the pharmacy. One-stop shop. It's pretty nice, I think. Yes. 514 00:40:11,359 --> 00:40:18,079 But I would I would definitely plan to once you have your new Silver Script 515 00:40:16,400 --> 00:40:22,560 card, because you'll get a new card in the mail when you sign up for this, is 516 00:40:20,720 --> 00:40:27,640 to bring that new card with you to that pharmacy to let them know that it's 517 00:40:24,640 --> 00:40:27,640 changed. 518 00:40:39,520 --> 00:40:43,839 question. >> If you want to save general question 519 00:40:42,000 --> 00:40:49,400 just until the end, we'll get Do you mind or we can answer it now? Why don't 520 00:40:45,599 --> 00:40:49,400 we answer it now? Go ahead. 521 00:40:51,359 --> 00:40:59,280 » Medicare from advanced advanced or whatever. So 522 00:40:57,440 --> 00:41:03,359 that's the >> So when you get a letter saying that 523 00:41:00,800 --> 00:41:06,680 that something is is approved. 524 00:41:11,599 --> 00:41:17,760 Yes. I believe that that's going to be a similar structure. Yep. Right. So 525 00:41:15,760 --> 00:41:22,880 something's not not covered by by Medicare, then they would send it over 526 00:41:19,839 --> 00:41:25,680 to Right. Yep. Yep. So that should that should be the 527 00:41:24,560 --> 00:41:30,240 same. There shouldn't be much of a change change there to how sort of the 528 00:41:28,240 --> 00:41:33,680 structure of things are. What we have now is a Medicare supplement plan. If 529 00:41:32,079 --> 00:41:38,240 you go to another Medicare supplement plan, that arrangement will work the 530 00:41:35,440 --> 00:41:43,200 same. Okay. So, let's talk about the plans. Um, so 531 00:41:40,640 --> 00:41:46,960 we have our this one's very similar to the one that we have now. We have 532 00:41:44,800 --> 00:41:52,160 Harvard Pilgrim Medicare Enhanced. The GIC has Harvard Pilgrim Medicare 533 00:41:49,119 --> 00:41:56,400 Enhanced. Um, so this is just a Medicare supplement, very, very similar to the 534 00:41:54,240 --> 00:42:01,119 plan that we have here in Belmont. Is it going to be the same commas in the same 535 00:41:58,800 --> 00:42:05,520 places and the same words and the same numbers, most importantly, the same 536 00:42:02,800 --> 00:42:10,480 numbers? Maybe not. It's going to be a new plan. It's a different plan that the 537 00:42:07,599 --> 00:42:14,560 GIC negotiated with Harvard Pilgrim than the town of Belmont individually 538 00:42:12,160 --> 00:42:18,240 negotiated. But generally, this is pretty much very similar to what it is 539 00:42:16,319 --> 00:42:23,760 that we have now. almost almost identical, but very very close. Um, so 540 00:42:21,839 --> 00:42:26,960 that's that's that one there. I can talk more about it if you have questions, but 541 00:42:25,359 --> 00:42:30,640 I I realize we're getting close on time, so I'll get through the presentation and 542 00:42:28,560 --> 00:42:36,480 then you guys can ask some questions. The next one um is the Health New 543 00:42:33,680 --> 00:42:40,800 England plan. So, this is their Medicare Supplement Plus plan. So, again, works 544 00:42:38,720 --> 00:42:46,240 very similar. It supplements the original Medicare coverage. Um, so you 545 00:42:43,440 --> 00:42:53,280 have to have A and B. Um it's designed by the GIC um for GIC retirees and 546 00:42:50,800 --> 00:42:57,119 Medicare eligible folks. Um 547 00:42:55,040 --> 00:43:01,680 so this one I guess you would want to just confirm with your providers that 548 00:42:59,680 --> 00:43:04,720 they take it um because it is different than what it is you have now. It's a 549 00:43:03,119 --> 00:43:08,240 different company. So, it would be good to reach out to your providers to just 550 00:43:06,400 --> 00:43:13,839 let them know if you're interested in the Health New England um that you ask 551 00:43:11,839 --> 00:43:18,079 them, you know, call up your doctor's offices and just ask them, do you take 552 00:43:16,240 --> 00:43:20,480 Health New England plans? And then they'll either tell you yes or no if 553 00:43:19,520 --> 00:43:24,400 it's something that you're interested in. 554 00:43:22,400 --> 00:43:28,000 The TUS plan, for those of you that are on TUS already with the town of Belmont, 555 00:43:26,880 --> 00:43:32,480 you could be in this room, you could be on Zoom. Um this is going to be a very 556 00:43:30,240 --> 00:43:38,319 similar plan to the one that we have right now. This is that advantage 557 00:43:35,440 --> 00:43:44,079 HMO type plan. This is almost exactly what our TUS plan is uh right now. So, 558 00:43:42,160 --> 00:43:47,440 um it works the same way even though we're we're calling it the advantage 559 00:43:45,839 --> 00:43:51,359 plan. It's it's going to be very similar to the TUS plan that we have. The big 560 00:43:49,440 --> 00:43:55,760 difference here is going to be that it it is the difference to the other plans 561 00:43:54,079 --> 00:43:59,760 is that it's a very limited network plan. So, it's going to probably just 562 00:43:57,839 --> 00:44:05,440 limit you to the state of Massachusetts. So, if you're a retiree that likes to 563 00:44:02,480 --> 00:44:08,480 travel a lot, which a lot of you uh are, um, or if you see yourself maybe 564 00:44:07,200 --> 00:44:12,960 traveling or staying in a different state for a couple of months out of the 565 00:44:10,240 --> 00:44:16,880 year, um, perhaps having a more national coverage plan like the HMO that we like 566 00:44:15,280 --> 00:44:20,800 the Harvard Pilgrim plan that we offer now might be a good option. But the 567 00:44:19,040 --> 00:44:25,200 folks that are already on the TUS plan here with Belmont, they're probably okay 568 00:44:23,040 --> 00:44:30,880 with that arrangement. So, this might be might be a good option to consider. 569 00:44:28,240 --> 00:44:35,200 Um, Wellpoint. So, Wellpair Wellpoint's Medicare extension. Um, so this is the 570 00:44:33,119 --> 00:44:40,319 Medicare supplement that's offered by Wellpoint 571 00:44:37,280 --> 00:44:44,319 works the exact same way. So, all all four of these plans other than well, 572 00:44:42,880 --> 00:44:47,760 three of these plans are Medicare supplements. So, if you're on the 573 00:44:45,359 --> 00:44:51,200 Harvard Pilgrim plan now, you want to take a look at these three other 574 00:44:49,760 --> 00:44:55,440 supplements. So, you have the Harvard Pilgrim one that's offered by the GIC. 575 00:44:54,160 --> 00:44:58,000 That's going to be very similar to what it is we have now. So, if you're 576 00:44:56,720 --> 00:45:01,520 somebody that doesn't like a whole lot of change, that one might be the one 577 00:44:59,680 --> 00:45:04,400 that you want to start with saying, "I'm going to look at this one first and see 578 00:45:02,800 --> 00:45:07,839 if it's right for me." If you're somebody that doesn't really like the 579 00:45:05,680 --> 00:45:11,119 Harvard Pilgrim plan that we have now, maybe you're looking to see what your 580 00:45:09,760 --> 00:45:17,040 other options are, maybe you're just curious. You may want to compare 581 00:45:14,400 --> 00:45:19,040 coverage for with the Wellpoint plan and then the 582 00:45:17,280 --> 00:45:21,040 » health similar, but you're saying >> those are going to be the comparable 583 00:45:20,240 --> 00:45:24,640 plans that are there. >> You know, we got to look into it if you 584 00:45:23,599 --> 00:45:28,400 travel a lot. >> So, let's talk about How are we doing? 585 00:45:27,200 --> 00:45:31,760 » Okay. >> All right. So, we'll talk about some of 586 00:45:29,680 --> 00:45:35,920 the numbers. So, I'll do my Medicare folks first. 587 00:45:34,000 --> 00:45:40,720 » So, I know that this is very small, so put on your binoculars, but I will um I 588 00:45:38,720 --> 00:45:44,720 will read them to you so you know, and then we'll have all this information 589 00:45:42,160 --> 00:45:50,319 available um on the on the town's website as well um after the meeting. 590 00:45:47,920 --> 00:45:55,359 So, for the TUS Medicare preferred plan, the TUS plan I was just talking about. 591 00:45:52,560 --> 00:46:00,319 So, the monthly premium cost for that um is going to be $11.96. 592 00:45:58,640 --> 00:46:05,839 That'll come out of your pension once once a month just like it does now. 593 00:46:02,480 --> 00:46:09,240 » What is our current TUS deduction? Does anybody know 594 00:46:09,839 --> 00:46:16,480 » 12780? Some people are cheating by reading on the on the on the slide 595 00:46:14,160 --> 00:46:23,760 there, but that's all right. Um, so it's 12780. So we're going from 596 00:46:19,680 --> 00:46:28,000 12780 to 10196. So if you're on TUS, hooray. 597 00:46:25,359 --> 00:46:31,200 Um, you're saving 25 bucks a month. I don't know how much that's going to get 598 00:46:29,200 --> 00:46:36,319 you these days, but >> you're saving $25 a month. Um, now for 599 00:46:34,240 --> 00:46:40,160 the other ones. Um, so the Harvard Pilgrim Medicare Enhanced, the plan that 600 00:46:38,480 --> 00:46:48,000 is most similar to the one that we have now. So, with the um with the GIC, the 601 00:46:44,319 --> 00:46:52,839 rate is going to be $150.30. Does anybody know what our current rate 602 00:46:49,839 --> 00:46:52,839 is? 603 00:46:53,520 --> 00:46:58,000 » 14737. I should cover up this part of the 604 00:46:56,720 --> 00:47:03,200 screen here, but I'm sure you guys probably know. So, 14737. So, what we're 605 00:47:01,359 --> 00:47:08,560 what you're looking at if you went on to the GIC's Harvard plan is you're looking 606 00:47:05,920 --> 00:47:15,440 at a $2.93 increase. So very very comparable um to 607 00:47:12,160 --> 00:47:18,720 to the cost the other two plans. So if you're on the Harvard Pilgrim plan or if 608 00:47:17,200 --> 00:47:22,720 you're on the TUS plan and you're saying wow I got you're on TUS plan you have 25 609 00:47:21,119 --> 00:47:27,200 extra dollars. What can I do with that 25 extra dollars? Maybe I'll go on to 610 00:47:25,040 --> 00:47:31,359 one of the other plans. Um so the other companies there so the Health New 611 00:47:28,640 --> 00:47:37,040 England plan uh that one's going to be 15127. So very close um in cost to the 612 00:47:35,119 --> 00:47:41,200 Harvard Pilgrim uh Medicare enhance. It's a $3.90 613 00:47:39,040 --> 00:47:46,480 difference from what you're paying now. Um the Wellpoint Medicare extension is 614 00:47:43,599 --> 00:47:53,119 at 14741. So we pay 14737. So I mean I did do the 615 00:47:51,040 --> 00:47:58,079 math on this. This one was this one was a challenge. It was a three cent 616 00:47:54,720 --> 00:48:02,079 difference. Um, so if you're looking to have no change or hardly any change in 617 00:48:00,560 --> 00:48:06,640 what you're paying each month in a premium, maybe take a look at the 618 00:48:03,920 --> 00:48:11,920 details of the wellpoint Medicare extension. But the other the other ones 619 00:48:09,440 --> 00:48:17,599 there, I mean, you're looking at under a $5 difference in a premium coverage per 620 00:48:14,880 --> 00:48:23,280 month. But remember what I said at the top, the premium is only part of the 621 00:48:21,040 --> 00:48:27,760 cost. Um, so even though we're not doing a whole bunch here, the plans could be 622 00:48:25,440 --> 00:48:32,880 different and you want to take a look at your individual needs, the individual 623 00:48:29,920 --> 00:48:37,760 needs of of, you know, of your spouses, um, to see if which plan will work best 624 00:48:35,200 --> 00:48:46,640 for you. Okay. Um, next, uh, we will go into the 625 00:48:43,359 --> 00:48:52,960 non-medicare plans. Um, so for folks that are here who are and on Zoom who 626 00:48:50,000 --> 00:48:56,960 are of Medicare age, there's a lot of plans here. Um, before I get into those 627 00:48:55,280 --> 00:49:02,319 ones, did you guys have any questions about the rates or or anything like 628 00:48:58,640 --> 00:49:06,040 that? The people that are Medicare age. >> Yeah. Yeah. 629 00:49:07,440 --> 00:49:13,760 » Yes. Great question. So, that's a really good question. The question to people on 630 00:49:10,880 --> 00:49:18,559 Zoom was about our dental coverage. So the GIC transition is only for health 631 00:49:16,400 --> 00:49:22,880 insurance. So it's only for health insurance coverage. Um so your Delta 632 00:49:20,880 --> 00:49:26,720 dental will remain the same. That goes the same for active employees as well. 633 00:49:24,559 --> 00:49:32,440 The only thing that the town is changing is its health insurance coverage. Yeah. 634 00:49:37,040 --> 00:49:40,599 » Medicare plans. 635 00:49:41,440 --> 00:49:46,480 » Yes. Yeah. They we have those up at the top, but yeah, we can definitely we can 636 00:49:44,960 --> 00:49:50,520 definitely go back and do that. Hang hang tight on that one, though. 637 00:49:59,680 --> 00:50:04,079 » Great question, Sue. Do you know that? 638 00:50:04,240 --> 00:50:07,240 two 639 00:50:10,559 --> 00:50:18,400 point extension plan. So it is a an indefinity plan that covers all 640 00:50:16,720 --> 00:50:24,400 providers. So it is much more extensive than just 641 00:50:20,960 --> 00:50:28,240 the western house plan. >> Great. So, yes. So, the the Wellpoint 642 00:50:26,400 --> 00:50:32,400 Medicare version or excuse me, the Health New England Medicare version is 643 00:50:30,640 --> 00:50:36,160 going to give you that same national type level coverage that you're that 644 00:50:34,160 --> 00:50:40,280 you're getting now and with the other plans as well. Yes, sir. 645 00:50:47,680 --> 00:50:54,079 » So, well, the co-pays could vary. So, definitely they could vary. The plans 646 00:50:52,160 --> 00:50:59,119 could vary. So, what I would recommend that you do um is that you go on to the 647 00:50:57,599 --> 00:51:02,480 GIC's website. You take a look at and we can 648 00:51:01,200 --> 00:51:05,920 do that at the end of the meeting. I know that we're probably going to run 649 00:51:03,920 --> 00:51:09,599 over time, so I apologize for anybody that planned, you know, anything after 650 00:51:08,000 --> 00:51:13,599 this meeting, but I'm happy to stay here as long as you need. I know that we have 651 00:51:11,680 --> 00:51:18,079 some of our our active employees here, too. So, if if you want, we can stay at 652 00:51:16,559 --> 00:51:20,800 the end and then I can show you where to go on the on the computer to take a look 653 00:51:20,000 --> 00:51:27,839 at those. Yes. >> Yeah. 654 00:51:23,520 --> 00:51:33,680 So that is going to effective January 1. The renewal date 655 00:51:31,119 --> 00:51:38,480 for both the ads and the EM retirey plans is July 1. So there even though 656 00:51:37,359 --> 00:51:44,559 you're going to go through open enrollments in October to sign up for 657 00:51:41,680 --> 00:51:50,960 January, those plans are then going to be due July 1. So you will have another 658 00:51:47,440 --> 00:51:56,640 opportunity in April to look at the plan you enrolled in and if you want to make 659 00:51:53,280 --> 00:52:03,200 changes you can do that effective July 1. At the February commissioner is 660 00:51:59,680 --> 00:52:08,720 meeting they vote on what the benefits are going to be for July. So, what Mitch 661 00:52:06,800 --> 00:52:15,760 is going to show you, we put that in the decision guide. If you have that, we do 662 00:52:12,800 --> 00:52:22,240 that's what will be effective January 1. It could change for July 1. 663 00:52:20,880 --> 00:52:25,880 » Yes. One more question and then we'll move on to the other rates. 664 00:52:28,559 --> 00:52:37,520 » GIC. It's basically the same plan with the exception of the few weeks. 665 00:52:36,400 --> 00:52:40,960 » Yes. >> Yes. Yep. 666 00:52:39,280 --> 00:52:44,240 » Perfect. All right. For the rest of the questions, we'll get through these rate 667 00:52:42,240 --> 00:52:49,200 sheets. There's a number of them. Um because we have a lot of different 668 00:52:45,599 --> 00:52:54,640 employee groups. Um so the the first one here is for our unit A folks. Um they're 669 00:52:52,640 --> 00:52:59,920 they are all teachers. I don't know if we have any teachers here in the room or 670 00:52:56,559 --> 00:53:03,599 not. Um but if if you do um these rate sheets that we're going to be putting 671 00:53:01,359 --> 00:53:09,680 online here um and ESMA maybe if you if you want to 672 00:53:06,720 --> 00:53:15,359 run back up to the office maybe on the drive there's printable it's called 673 00:53:11,520 --> 00:53:18,400 printable um GIC rate sheets maybe you can print off a couple and then bring 674 00:53:16,880 --> 00:53:23,839 them back over because we'll probably be a few extra minutes. Maybe we can get a 675 00:53:20,079 --> 00:53:28,319 couple out to people to take home. Um yes. 676 00:53:25,760 --> 00:53:28,319 Yes. 677 00:53:29,040 --> 00:53:36,559 Sure. All right. That sounds sounds good to me. Um, so yeah. So, for the interest 678 00:53:34,640 --> 00:53:41,920 of time, like like Jeff said, I know we're getting close to the close to the 679 00:53:38,160 --> 00:53:45,440 end. Um, I can talk about the specific rates if you have questions about them. 680 00:53:43,359 --> 00:53:51,200 Um, but just remember um that when choosing your GIC plan, you want to just 681 00:53:48,640 --> 00:53:55,839 ask yourself a couple of things. Um, so you want to think to yourself, are my 682 00:53:52,960 --> 00:54:01,280 doctors and hospitals covered? Does the network work for me? What type of health 683 00:53:58,640 --> 00:54:05,920 care am I going to need? What will the actual cost be beyond just the premium? 684 00:54:04,400 --> 00:54:08,640 And also thinking about your prescriptions as well. So, these are 685 00:54:07,440 --> 00:54:11,520 some of the questions that you want to have going in your head when you're 686 00:54:10,240 --> 00:54:15,400 taking a look at the different plan options. Yes, Shane. 687 00:54:15,680 --> 00:54:18,680 » Yeah. 688 00:54:20,720 --> 00:54:23,720 » Yeah. 689 00:54:24,079 --> 00:54:30,079 » Yep. So for the people that are here active um I'll go over this one rate 690 00:54:28,720 --> 00:54:33,480 sheet and then we'll then we'll move to general questions 691 00:54:34,800 --> 00:54:42,559 the main one that people are on. So the HMO so over here on on on this side here 692 00:54:40,720 --> 00:54:45,520 that's going to compare our plans to all the different plans that are here. So 693 00:54:44,160 --> 00:54:50,800 you have your eight different plans that you can choose from. The new rate which 694 00:54:48,079 --> 00:54:54,720 is in the big and big numbers and then over on the on the side if you're seeing 695 00:54:52,480 --> 00:54:58,880 a lot of red that's that's the savings. So if you're looking at let's choose 696 00:54:56,400 --> 00:55:04,240 one. So let's do an individual Harvard Pilgrim Explorer plan. So for that one 697 00:55:01,760 --> 00:55:11,119 uh right now you're paying 8062 if you're an individual. If you are um on 698 00:55:08,160 --> 00:55:17,160 the GIC's plan it's 8070. So it's a two cent increase for for somebody. Yeah. 699 00:55:20,160 --> 00:55:24,440 » Why would they to pay two 700 00:55:29,040 --> 00:55:32,040 months? 701 00:55:34,160 --> 00:55:37,800 » That's a great question. 702 00:55:37,839 --> 00:55:44,640 » That's a great question. Um, so what what basically it is is it's taking a 703 00:55:42,720 --> 00:55:50,640 look at sort of the long-term stability of kind of our health care situation. So 704 00:55:47,680 --> 00:55:55,200 right now the town is self-insured. So as a self-insured entity, if we have a 705 00:55:53,280 --> 00:56:00,400 lot of increases in health care costs across 706 00:55:58,240 --> 00:56:04,319 our risk pool here, that's going to drive up the cost for everybody else and 707 00:56:02,640 --> 00:56:08,240 we're going to have to spread that. So it drives up the cost and we spread it 708 00:56:06,079 --> 00:56:12,880 over fewer people. So that means that our rate increases each year could be 709 00:56:11,040 --> 00:56:17,839 very large like in the double digits you know 10 12% last year we had a 24% 710 00:56:16,319 --> 00:56:23,040 increase by joining the GIC that risk point the 711 00:56:20,720 --> 00:56:28,480 cost the risk pool is much larger because we're joining a larger number of 712 00:56:25,119 --> 00:56:33,040 people the 13 cities the 34 or so towns across the state and by having that 713 00:56:30,799 --> 00:56:38,559 larger risk pool that's hopefully going to drive costs down on the other side of 714 00:56:35,440 --> 00:56:44,319 the equation um is not just the cost for you but as a self-insured entity the 715 00:56:41,119 --> 00:56:49,680 town pays for portion of the claims that people have. So that cost gets bumped to 716 00:56:47,359 --> 00:56:56,000 to the you know the insurance provider the employer. So we pay money for those 717 00:56:53,920 --> 00:56:59,280 claims. So, also what we're seeing on the other side when we're trying to 718 00:56:57,119 --> 00:57:02,559 manage our health insurance trust is that we have the money coming in from 719 00:57:00,799 --> 00:57:06,799 from you guys, the money that's already there, and then we have these rising 720 00:57:04,799 --> 00:57:11,280 claims costs and claims bills that we have to pay each month and that's 721 00:57:09,119 --> 00:57:15,200 draining things at a pretty fast rate, faster than what we would like them to 722 00:57:12,880 --> 00:57:20,480 be. So, in order to maintain our current situation, we would have to raise it 723 00:57:17,359 --> 00:57:24,960 even more, those individual premiums. So hopefully with this what we're doing is 724 00:57:23,119 --> 00:57:29,040 we're shifting that struct that part of the structure for the town for 725 00:57:26,799 --> 00:57:33,920 sustainability purposes of paying those claims. We're shifting those over to the 726 00:57:31,280 --> 00:57:38,799 GIC. So any claims that people are having and that fall to the employer 727 00:57:36,960 --> 00:57:42,720 then they would be picked up by the GIC as opposed to the town. So it's a it's a 728 00:57:40,960 --> 00:57:45,280 cost savings to the town that way. >> Yeah. 729 00:57:43,200 --> 00:57:49,839 » This total one does total choice does that have is 730 00:57:47,839 --> 00:57:55,040 it only split? Yeah, >> the total choice is only a 50/50 split. 731 00:57:52,319 --> 00:57:59,920 So that's the indemnity plan. So that one that one there is it's a very 732 00:57:57,599 --> 00:58:05,119 expensive plan. So when the when the insurance advisory committee, they call 733 00:58:01,440 --> 00:58:08,640 it the PE now met and took a look at um the different plans, one of the things 734 00:58:06,640 --> 00:58:13,520 that was agreed to was that the indemnity plan and the PO plan that's 735 00:58:11,119 --> 00:58:19,040 offered here that offers sort of that national coverage would be at the rate 736 00:58:15,920 --> 00:58:25,440 of a 50/50 cost sharing split. So when you look at the so for like a family 737 00:58:22,559 --> 00:58:31,119 on the indemnity plan when we look at the cost comparison there um to our PO 738 00:58:29,599 --> 00:58:34,720 plan which would be the most comparable thing now. So to get something close to 739 00:58:32,799 --> 00:58:40,960 the indemnity plan you would have to be on our PO plan. So if you're on a family 740 00:58:37,440 --> 00:58:47,280 PO the cost to someone like like you would be $700.40 40 cents uh each 741 00:58:44,559 --> 00:58:56,400 paycheck, which is kind of crazy, right? With this one, um it it it reduced down 742 00:58:50,480 --> 00:59:00,400 to a lower amount. Um but it's $1926 savings. So, there's a difference there. 743 00:58:58,400 --> 00:59:05,000 Sorry, I got stumbled there because I have this thing that's blocking my 744 00:59:02,000 --> 00:59:05,000 slide. 745 00:59:05,520 --> 00:59:13,119 » It's not. So, the the Harvard Pilgrim PO, the one that's up at the top, that 746 00:59:10,960 --> 00:59:19,319 one too is also a 50-50 cost sharing split. 747 00:59:15,520 --> 00:59:19,319 Okay. Yes. 748 00:59:22,480 --> 00:59:33,119 » Yes. So, if you're Yep. So, if you're a retiree um who is on Medicare enhanced 749 00:59:31,040 --> 00:59:38,240 um and you and your spouse are both there, both you and your spouse will 750 00:59:35,599 --> 00:59:42,960 have to enroll in a GIC plan separately. So, each of you will have to go on the 751 00:59:40,160 --> 00:59:46,559 computer, you know, one at a time if you only have one computer, just one at a 752 00:59:44,640 --> 00:59:51,839 time, and you'll have to enroll and then your spouse will have to enroll and they 753 00:59:48,960 --> 00:59:54,839 both will come out of your pension. Yes. Question. 754 00:59:57,359 --> 01:00:07,559 Can each spouse what? Yes. Yep. Yep. So, you'll be eligible. 755 01:00:04,079 --> 01:00:07,559 That's a good question. 756 01:00:08,559 --> 01:00:15,240 Yes. The questions. This one. >> Okay. 757 01:00:18,319 --> 01:00:21,319 Perfect. 758 01:00:22,240 --> 01:00:25,799 And uh yeah, 759 01:00:30,319 --> 01:00:36,960 » so if that's the case, you're going to need to have a that copy of that divorce 760 01:00:33,839 --> 01:00:41,680 decree as your supporting material to cover your spouse when you when you sign 761 01:00:39,200 --> 01:00:46,000 up or when they sign up. So if you're of Medicare age, 762 01:00:43,839 --> 01:00:50,839 um sorry, I moved closer, but I want to be on the microphone. Um, 763 01:00:51,599 --> 01:00:58,000 so if what you would need to do for them is they would have to have a copy of 764 01:00:55,359 --> 01:01:04,280 your divorce decree. Um, and then they would use that as their supporting 765 01:00:59,520 --> 01:01:04,280 documentation for when they enroll. 766 01:01:07,599 --> 01:01:15,520 » Yes. Yep. You're welcome. All right. Perfect. Any other questions? I see that 767 01:01:14,000 --> 01:01:18,640 the room's moving a little bit. We're at the end. Yeah. 768 01:01:25,440 --> 01:01:31,359 Yes. So, a dependent will be a spouse or children in most circumstances. There 769 01:01:29,680 --> 01:01:35,559 can be others, but I don't think we have any across the town. 770 01:01:40,000 --> 01:01:45,920 » Just the marriage license. If there are if there are kids involved, then the 771 01:01:43,839 --> 01:01:49,680 kids need the birth certificate. So, the birth certificate is used as the backup 772 01:01:48,240 --> 01:01:52,680 because that's saying that they're your kids. 773 01:01:56,559 --> 01:02:03,720 » That does all >> goes over five of the eight plans. 774 01:02:05,359 --> 01:02:11,040 » Yep. I'll have to take a look at that one. It It should be It should be all of 775 01:02:08,880 --> 01:02:14,240 them, but if you if you bring it up, then I can take a look at it. We can get 776 01:02:12,720 --> 01:02:15,839 you another one. >> Perfect. 777 01:02:15,440 --> 01:02:20,079 All right, >> there are several questions on the Zoom 778 01:02:18,400 --> 01:02:23,960 call. >> Are they going to be answered? 779 01:02:34,960 --> 01:02:42,160 » Yeah. So if you're if the if your husband was the retiree and and he he is 780 01:02:39,920 --> 01:02:47,280 now deceased and you're you're still covered by the town, you would choose 781 01:02:44,400 --> 01:02:50,799 your you would choose a new plan the same as everybody else here and you 782 01:02:48,960 --> 01:02:53,799 could maintain your coverage level. Okay. 783 01:02:57,839 --> 01:03:03,640 No, no, no. Yes. 784 01:03:12,960 --> 01:03:17,000 So if if you're 785 01:03:17,520 --> 01:03:24,079 » Yes. So if you if if if you're a Medicare age person and they're a 786 01:03:22,160 --> 01:03:28,720 Medicare age person, then they don't need they don't need to provide any 787 01:03:26,319 --> 01:03:33,400 marriage certificate because they're on their own plan. 788 01:03:30,400 --> 01:03:33,400 » Yes. 789 01:03:33,920 --> 01:03:37,720 No, no. 790 01:03:38,880 --> 01:03:44,319 Medicare folks are special because they're all on their own plans. The 791 01:03:42,720 --> 01:03:48,400 marriage certificate proves you're dependent. Even though they're getting 792 01:03:46,720 --> 01:03:52,960 their insurance coverage through your benefit, your spouse, they are on their 793 01:03:51,039 --> 01:03:56,240 own plan. So, they have their own plan with the town of Belmont separate from 794 01:03:54,400 --> 01:04:03,039 you. We don't need the marriage certificate. 795 01:03:57,760 --> 01:04:06,920 No. Yeah. Great. Awesome. Any other questions from folks? Yes. 796 01:04:11,920 --> 01:04:19,640 » You're just scanning. Yeah. So, a copy is copy should be perfectly fine if you 797 01:04:16,000 --> 01:04:19,640 have a copy at home. 798 01:04:20,880 --> 01:04:28,079 » No, you would only have to go and pursue a town hall if if you didn't have a 799 01:04:25,520 --> 01:04:32,799 copy. And if that was too difficult, Chris, then we could probably just see 800 01:04:30,880 --> 01:04:36,760 our, you know, see if we have it here, you know. Oh, you got it here in 801 01:04:33,760 --> 01:04:36,760 Belmont. 802 01:04:37,359 --> 01:04:44,000 » Oh, perfect. All right. So, it's not too not too big of a lift then. Yeah. Okay. 803 01:04:42,880 --> 01:04:49,760 All right. You're welcome. You're welcome. All right. Thank you everybody. 804 01:04:48,079 --> 01:04:55,839 Sorry that sort of broke up at the end, but lost control of the crowd. 805 01:04:53,599 --> 01:04:59,760 Yes. that is 806 01:04:57,280 --> 01:05:04,720 » the retiree split. So, the retiree split. Um, and then for the folks on 807 01:05:02,240 --> 01:05:11,680 Zoom, if you want to hang out for just a second, um, perhaps I can, um, answer 808 01:05:08,880 --> 01:05:14,960 some questions for you in just a minute. Yes. 809 01:05:13,280 --> 01:05:19,599 Retirey split. So, it's the same that it is now, right? 810 01:05:16,160 --> 01:05:25,760 » Um, so are you over 65 or under 65? Medicare. So, let me go back here. Let's 811 01:05:22,960 --> 01:05:32,559 see. So, how this rate is calculated? 812 01:05:29,359 --> 01:05:37,599 See, there we go. So, we get the rate from the um the 813 01:05:36,079 --> 01:05:43,359 total cost here. So, this is what the plan costs here 814 01:05:39,839 --> 01:05:49,760 and then there's a 50% subsidy of the Medicare part B base rate. But whatever 815 01:05:46,559 --> 01:05:54,640 the Medicare Part B base rate is here, 20290 that comes from the federal 816 01:05:51,599 --> 01:05:59,319 government, we give you 50% of that back and that's taken off of the premium. 817 01:06:00,559 --> 01:06:08,640 » 5050 split. >> Not quite. 818 01:06:05,280 --> 01:06:14,400 » Not quite. Depends on depends on this. So, a 50-50 split of the Medicare rate 819 01:06:11,680 --> 01:06:20,240 and then that that subsidy gets applied to whatever the GIC is charging. Okay? 820 01:06:17,760 --> 01:06:25,599 So, it's a 50/50 of the of the federal government of their rate that they set 821 01:06:22,319 --> 01:06:29,920 every year and then that is then subtracted from the GIC's overall. Okay. 822 01:06:29,520 --> 01:06:36,799 » Yes, >> I could probably get the but only 823 01:06:34,400 --> 01:06:41,200 Yeah, this is an interesting one. So, we'll see. You might be looking at the 824 01:06:38,079 --> 01:06:44,720 wrong Are you looking at um like wanting to get a comparison like this 825 01:06:42,480 --> 01:06:47,520 » comparison? With all eight >> all eight. You may have to slide on the 826 01:06:46,720 --> 01:06:50,240 computer. >> You may have to slide over to see it. 827 01:06:49,680 --> 01:06:53,280 » Gotcha. >> Um I'm not sure why it printed out like 828 01:06:52,160 --> 01:06:56,400 that, >> but 829 01:06:55,039 --> 01:06:58,880 that's what I would imagine because it looks like it goes over a little bit 830 01:06:58,000 --> 01:07:02,880 further. >> It looks like what it is. 831 01:07:00,960 --> 01:07:04,559 » It doesn't here. No, I totally see that. I thought you were looking at this one 832 01:07:04,079 --> 01:07:09,039 here. >> No, 833 01:07:05,760 --> 01:07:12,400 » so if you go on to the GIC's website, >> right? 834 01:07:10,240 --> 01:07:16,240 » And I'll show you here. >> Actually, could you print up the other 835 01:07:13,920 --> 01:07:17,920 one that just come bring it up so I can take a picture of it? 836 01:07:17,039 --> 01:07:25,480 » Yeah, sure. Which one? >> The uh one for employees. 837 01:07:21,280 --> 01:07:25,480 » So, not that one. This one's you. 838 01:07:26,880 --> 01:07:33,839 » Yeah. And I'll go on the website, but thank you very much. Perfect. 839 01:07:31,760 --> 01:07:37,559 I asked you before we went over these. 840 01:07:37,920 --> 01:07:43,720 » Yeah, I can do that with you. Let me just try to turn the Zoom off. 841 01:07:46,000 --> 01:07:48,559 » Thank you. >> Amazing. 842 01:07:48,000 --> 01:07:51,680 » Thank you. >> Yeah. 843 01:07:49,039 --> 01:07:55,359 » Well, we'll do it all again. presented. Um, 844 01:07:53,280 --> 01:08:01,520 yeah, if you guys have questions, I know Jeff was saying maybe 845 01:07:57,520 --> 01:08:06,559 » we should just add a comment about the H and the holidays that the retirees are 846 01:08:05,760 --> 01:08:09,039 going to get. >> Oh, that's right. Yeah. 847 01:08:07,359 --> 01:08:11,440 » So, we could talk about that. Okay. For the next 848 01:08:10,079 --> 01:08:15,640 » Perfect. Sounds good. >> Really? 849 01:08:12,240 --> 01:08:15,640 » Thank you, S. 850 01:08:33,440 --> 01:08:39,759 So, do the folks that are on Zoom, I don't know if you can hear me or not 851 01:08:37,120 --> 01:08:45,199 very well. The room's kind of loud now, but do you have any questions? 852 01:08:43,359 --> 01:08:49,839 » I do. This is Linda Shaughnessy. >> Somebody might be trying to talk. Hold 853 01:08:46,560 --> 01:08:53,560 on just a second. This is Linda Shaughnessy. 854 01:08:55,040 --> 01:08:58,759 » Can you hear me now? 855 01:09:00,719 --> 01:09:06,000 » I'll be right back. We just have some folks on the Zoom. I just want to see if 856 01:09:04,799 --> 01:09:09,719 they have any questions, then I'll come right back. Okay. 857 01:09:10,000 --> 01:09:16,159 » Can you hear me, Mitch? >> Hold on. I'm going into a quieter room. 858 01:09:13,520 --> 01:09:20,000 I apologize for all the technology difficulties, but yes, I now can hear 859 01:09:18,400 --> 01:09:27,600 you, Linda. Right. >> Yes. I just have a a quick question 860 01:09:23,600 --> 01:09:30,960 about um my spouse. So, I saw figures for we live out of state, so I would 861 01:09:30,159 --> 01:09:37,920 need >> to continue the hobbit pilgrim that I 862 01:09:33,279 --> 01:09:42,080 have. Um what would the spouse cost be >> because I know that's different from the 863 01:09:39,679 --> 01:09:45,520 employee cost. So, um, so you retired, Linda, did you 864 01:09:44,719 --> 01:09:48,960 say? >> Yes. 865 01:09:46,560 --> 01:09:54,239 » Okay. So, you're a retiree living out of state. Um, and then for your spouse as 866 01:09:51,440 --> 01:09:58,400 well. And are you under 65? >> No, we're both over 65. 867 01:09:56,239 --> 01:10:02,800 » Both on Medicare. So, you would have two of those plans. So, if you have a 868 01:10:01,199 --> 01:10:06,800 spouse, it would work the same as it works now. So, those Medicare rates 869 01:10:05,040 --> 01:10:11,280 would be doubled. So, right now, I think we're at I think it's 258, I want to 870 01:10:09,040 --> 01:10:16,000 say, is what's coming out of your paycheck um for the if you're on the 871 01:10:13,840 --> 01:10:19,760 Harvard Pilgrim at least, and that's what comes out of your paycheck for two 872 01:10:17,760 --> 01:10:24,960 plans, but those are two individual plans that we just combined together as 873 01:10:22,880 --> 01:10:30,320 one deduction rate. So, we're going to do the same thing for whichever um plan 874 01:10:28,239 --> 01:10:34,239 it is that that you choose. >> So, I would just take the number and 875 01:10:32,400 --> 01:10:36,800 double it that that's on the slide. Just take the number and then you would 876 01:10:35,440 --> 01:10:41,440 double it, right? >> Perfect. All right. 877 01:10:39,280 --> 01:10:44,320 » Yep. Great question. That's a good one. >> That was easy. 878 01:10:42,880 --> 01:10:47,360 » All right. Very good. >> That's all I had. Thank you so much. 879 01:10:46,000 --> 01:10:50,480 Great job, by the way. >> Oh, thank you. Hopefully, you were able 880 01:10:48,960 --> 01:10:53,360 to hear it all. [laughter] >> I could I could 881 01:10:51,600 --> 01:10:57,760 » Oh, good. Good. Good. That was my main worry. The computer wasn't uh the screen 882 01:10:55,600 --> 01:11:01,440 wasn't working in the room, so we were just on the laptop. But I won't keep 883 01:10:59,199 --> 01:11:04,159 you. But thank you for the question. >> Thank you. 884 01:11:02,719 --> 01:11:08,080 » Okay. Anybody else? >> Yes, I have a question. 885 01:11:05,679 --> 01:11:14,239 » Could you possibly email or make available somehow online that cost sheet 886 01:11:12,000 --> 01:11:19,679 that you showed? >> Yes, those are all going to be on our um 887 01:11:17,520 --> 01:11:23,800 Give me a second here so you can see. Let me share my screen again. 888 01:11:26,400 --> 01:11:34,560 So, let's see. Perfect. So, if you were just to go on 889 01:11:31,920 --> 01:11:37,920 to the town of Belmont. >> Yeah. 890 01:11:36,159 --> 01:11:40,640 » So, we just Google that. The first thing that should come up is the town's 891 01:11:39,440 --> 01:11:45,360 website. >> Yeah. 892 01:11:42,080 --> 01:11:50,480 » And then to get all the GIC information, it's all managed by our HR department. 893 01:11:48,400 --> 01:11:53,360 » Um, so we go to departments, human resources. 894 01:11:51,840 --> 01:11:56,640 » Yeah. >> And then right over on that left hand 895 01:11:55,360 --> 01:12:00,719 side there >> is the group insurance commission. 896 01:11:58,719 --> 01:12:03,920 » Yeah. So, right here is where we're going to put all of the um all of the 897 01:12:03,040 --> 01:12:08,400 information. >> So, all the rate sheets are going to be 898 01:12:05,440 --> 01:12:10,960 there and then all of um the the presentation from today is going to be 899 01:12:09,920 --> 01:12:12,719 there. Um >> okay. 900 01:12:11,440 --> 01:12:16,000 » So, that's where we're going to put all the resources. 901 01:12:13,920 --> 01:12:23,199 » All right. And then the other question is if I'm signing up for a family plan, 902 01:12:20,719 --> 01:12:27,840 myself and my husband, is it one application or two separate ones? 903 01:12:25,520 --> 01:12:31,679 » It will be two. So, if you're on if you're both on a Medicare plan or even 904 01:12:29,760 --> 01:12:36,159 if one of you is on a Medicare plan and one of you is on a non-Medicare plan. 905 01:12:33,920 --> 01:12:38,960 » No, we're both on we're not on Medicare yet. 906 01:12:36,960 --> 01:12:41,679 » Oh, you're both not on Medicare yet, right? 907 01:12:39,280 --> 01:12:45,600 » Um, so in that case, both of you Well, if he's coming on as a dependent in that 908 01:12:43,760 --> 01:12:49,679 case, then it would just be one one plan. What you would need to provide is 909 01:12:47,920 --> 01:12:52,320 you would need to provide a copy of your marriage certificate, 910 01:12:51,199 --> 01:12:55,760 » right? >> So, that's the one thing that you'll 911 01:12:53,840 --> 01:12:59,920 probably have to get. So for even for retirees that you know um that that is 912 01:12:58,719 --> 01:13:02,080 still something that you're going to need if you have a dependent. 913 01:13:01,760 --> 01:13:06,800 » Okay. >> The confusing thing is for people that 914 01:13:03,679 --> 01:13:10,640 are 65 and over on Medicare because they have two different plans, two individual 915 01:13:08,800 --> 01:13:14,640 plans, but it comes out as one deduction. So a little tricky and both 916 01:13:12,560 --> 01:13:17,840 of those individuals have to apply separately. 917 01:13:15,760 --> 01:13:22,800 » Okay. Thank you. >> You're welcome. 918 01:13:20,159 --> 01:13:24,880 » Hi Mitch. Um can you hear me? This is Chris comment. Uh, 919 01:13:24,159 --> 01:13:26,640 » hi Chris. >> Hi. How are you? 920 01:13:26,080 --> 01:13:30,239 » Good. >> Good. Um, thank you for the 921 01:13:28,480 --> 01:13:38,000 presentation. I just have one quick question. Um, so I understand so, so my 922 01:13:34,239 --> 01:13:43,520 spouse is on Medicare. I am not. I understand that we have to fill out 923 01:13:40,320 --> 01:13:49,440 applications separately. My question is, how is she defined on the application? 924 01:13:46,320 --> 01:13:56,560 Because she was not a Belmont employee. Um, and they usually don't include like, 925 01:13:53,199 --> 01:14:03,199 you know, spouse, you know, of a retired employee as a box to check. 926 01:13:59,440 --> 01:14:05,440 » Yeah. So, she would just be an employee. >> Okay. 927 01:14:03,600 --> 01:14:11,679 » So, we're going to we're going to list um people in your situation, we're going 928 01:14:08,159 --> 01:14:15,360 to list them as just regular employees, even though they didn't work here, 929 01:14:13,520 --> 01:14:21,040 » but they have their own individual plan with us. So, that's how that would work 930 01:14:17,520 --> 01:14:25,280 out. Um, the GIC does like to know who, you know, a survivor is. So, we'll 931 01:14:23,280 --> 01:14:28,719 probably have to update that information with them if if that happens. 932 01:14:28,239 --> 01:14:30,640 » Okay. >> Yeah. 933 01:14:29,120 --> 01:14:32,960 » Just thinking through my mind, but I'm saying that I'm saying, "Oh, that 934 01:14:31,840 --> 01:14:36,960 doesn't sound all that great." I didn't mean any offense by it, but if if that 935 01:14:35,199 --> 01:14:40,719 happens and your spouse becomes a survivor, then we may have to change 936 01:14:38,719 --> 01:14:44,239 their their group, but that doesn't really affect them or you all that much, 937 01:14:42,880 --> 01:14:46,560 but you would still be applying separately. 938 01:14:45,199 --> 01:14:50,560 » Okay? Okay. And I'll and check the employee box for her even though she 939 01:14:48,800 --> 01:14:54,000 wasn't an employee. Okay. >> Yes, that's my understanding right now. 940 01:14:52,239 --> 01:14:58,320 If anything changes um and they're giving you a hard time and um you know, 941 01:14:56,640 --> 01:15:00,960 we'll we'll update you then. But that's my understanding right now. 942 01:14:59,679 --> 01:15:03,840 » Yeah. I just don't want to get in trouble for, you know, lying on the 943 01:15:02,480 --> 01:15:07,520 application. [laughter] >> No, no, no. You won't get in trouble for 944 01:15:05,520 --> 01:15:10,239 that. No, blame me. >> All right. Okay. Thank you, Mitch. 945 01:15:09,280 --> 01:15:15,280 » You're welcome. >> Hi, Mitch. It's Joan Watts. 946 01:15:12,640 --> 01:15:20,000 » Oh, Joan, it's good to see you. Oh, I'm glad to be here. Thanks for being sure I 947 01:15:17,280 --> 01:15:27,199 got the link. Um, I'm still working on not on that issue with not having 948 01:15:23,360 --> 01:15:31,760 Medicare Part B. And I called Medicare and they won't give me such a letter. 949 01:15:29,280 --> 01:15:37,199 But then I've been told by another source that the letter has to come from 950 01:15:34,640 --> 01:15:43,040 the town of Belmont saying that I did not need um Medicare Part B because I 951 01:15:41,120 --> 01:15:48,159 was being covered by my medical insurance from Harvard. 952 01:15:45,840 --> 01:15:51,120 » Oh, okay. Well, >> so that 953 01:15:48,800 --> 01:15:56,960 » I'll check >> what I'll do, Joan, is um I will check 954 01:15:54,239 --> 01:16:03,360 with with the folks over at the GIC now that they told you that um and see if 955 01:16:00,719 --> 01:16:07,840 it's something we can do for you. Um I would imagine I would imagine that the 956 01:16:05,440 --> 01:16:10,960 le letter will have to come from Medicare though because they're the ones 957 01:16:09,440 --> 01:16:15,120 that are saying that you're eligible or not. But um I will ask them. 958 01:16:13,360 --> 01:16:20,400 » They're saying I am they're saying that I am entitled to it now. But um then 959 01:16:18,480 --> 01:16:26,960 other sources say but I don't have to have it because I had um good coverage 960 01:16:24,640 --> 01:16:31,199 from Harvard through the town. >> Oh. Oh okay. So you are eligible for 961 01:16:30,080 --> 01:16:35,679 Medicare now >> because I turned 65. They said I could 962 01:16:34,080 --> 01:16:40,880 have taken it then. And now they're saying that I since I didn't have to I 963 01:16:38,080 --> 01:16:47,760 have to pay an enrollment penalty which is going to be over $400 a month. 964 01:16:45,520 --> 01:16:51,520 » Oh dear. That's not that's not >> If we can work around that with the 965 01:16:49,600 --> 01:16:58,880 information I have that the town of Belmont can say I didn't need to because 966 01:16:54,400 --> 01:17:03,280 I was deployed for those 26 28 years. >> I understand. Yes. So we have done like 967 01:17:01,280 --> 01:17:08,679 that for people in the past. But then what that would mean, Joan, is you would 968 01:17:04,719 --> 01:17:08,679 have to enroll in Medicare. 969 01:17:09,040 --> 01:17:14,239 We can talk more. Joan, why don't can you give me a call maybe later this 970 01:17:13,360 --> 01:17:16,480 afternoon? >> Sure. Sure. 971 01:17:15,040 --> 01:17:19,199 » And we can we'll talk it through then because I don't want to go over your 972 01:17:17,920 --> 01:17:21,679 whole situation. >> I know. I just want 973 01:17:20,080 --> 01:17:24,800 » in front of everybody else. But yes, that's a good update. 974 01:17:23,120 --> 01:17:28,640 » Yeah. I just wanted to give you some more information as I'm trying to muddle 975 01:17:27,280 --> 01:17:32,960 my way through this. >> I know it. I know it. Well, hang in 976 01:17:30,560 --> 01:17:35,920 there and keep me updated like you do and we'll get through it. 977 01:17:34,320 --> 01:17:38,480 » Thank you so much. And I thought if we could see each other face to face, it 978 01:17:37,600 --> 01:17:41,199 would help. >> Oh, it's very pleasant to get to see 979 01:17:40,159 --> 01:17:44,320 you, Joan. Thanks. >> Thank you. Thank you very much, Mitch. 980 01:17:43,040 --> 01:17:46,480 Take good care. >> You, too. 981 01:17:45,280 --> 01:17:49,480 » Bye. >> Bye. 982 01:17:51,040 --> 01:18:00,719 And does anybody else on Zoom that's that's still there um have any questions 983 01:17:56,480 --> 01:18:00,719 that they want answered at this time? 984 01:18:01,679 --> 01:18:09,840 I will say and I'll move through this a little bit here for the people that are 985 01:18:05,840 --> 01:18:14,560 on that are on Zoom um that this here is our contact information. 986 01:18:12,560 --> 01:18:19,760 So if you do have any additional questions um feel free to reach out 987 01:18:16,640 --> 01:18:24,480 directly to anybody on that page or to the human resources office generally and 988 01:18:22,480 --> 01:18:27,719 we'll do our best to talk through um your situations. 989 01:18:29,440 --> 01:18:36,960 But if there aren't any more questions, um, then I will end the meeting for us 990 01:18:34,320 --> 01:18:40,800 all. And like I said, uh, thank you very much for taking the time, um, to come to 991 01:18:39,360 --> 01:18:45,120 the information session. If you want to come to more information sessions, feel 992 01:18:42,560 --> 01:18:50,120 free. Um, and just know that we're here, um, to try to help you throughout this 993 01:18:46,719 --> 01:18:50,120 entire process. 994 01:18:51,520 --> 01:18:57,280 » So, thank you all and, um, have a good rest of the day. I'm gonna end the 995 01:18:54,960 --> 01:18:59,760 meeting. of this year.