From January 19th – 29th

JANAURY 5, 2018: Responding to calls for increased transparency and openness to public input, the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC) announced a series of public hearings for the month of January. A total of seven public hearings will take place across Massachusetts between Friday, January 19th and Monday, January 29th.

From January 19th – 29th

JANAURY 5, 2018: Responding to calls for increased transparency and openness to public input, the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC) announced a series of public hearings for the month of January. A total of seven public hearings will take place across Massachusetts between Friday, January 19th and Monday, January 29th.

The public hearings are open to all GIC enrollees and offer a unique opportunity for your voice to be heard BEFORE insurance plan design decisions are made and rates set for Fiscal Year 2019. New insurance rates and policies will be in place starting July 1.

On Thursday, January 18th, the 17-member Commission is scheduled to meet to select health insurance, as well as mental health carriers for FY19. At present, it is unknown whether or not the current plan offerings will be available in the future.

Last month, the GIC selected CVS Caremark as the pharmacy benefits manager for all Medicare enrollees. ExpressScripts will be the pharmacy benefits manager for all non-Medicare retirees and active employees.

For retirees and employees wanting or needing to change their insurance coverage for FY 2019, open enrollment takes place throughout the month of April. Detailed information on benefits and plan offerings will be provided by the GIC in March.

“Whether you want to offer testimony or simply listen, I encourage members insured by the GIC to attend a public hearing if it is something that interests and/or concerns you. And these hearings are not just a gripe session. If you love your current health insurance coverage and want nothing to change, GIC officials should be made aware,” said Association President Frank Valeri. “We have our share of concerns and complaints, of which the GIC is well aware. Most involve the rising costs being paid by retirees. However, they are doing the right thing by holding these hearings and making senior staff available to members before final decisions are made.”

Below is the hearing list as announced by the GIC. Association officials plan to testify at the Boston hearing on Thursday, January 25th:

GIC Public Hearings

 Based on feedback we heard last year, please join the GIC for a series of public hearings. Our goal for the sessions is to collect your feedback in advance of our official decision making. Please be sure to RSVP to secure your attendance.

 RSVP (required) to: gic.events@massmail.state.ma.us

 

Friday, January 19

3:00 – 4:30 PM
WORCESTER | CENTRAL
Worcester State University
May Street Building, Banquet Hall 

260 May Street

Worcester, MA 01602 

Parking: Lot D – May Street; Lot Q – Chandler Street Lot

 

Monday, January 22

10:00 – 11:30 AM
SPRINGFIELD | SOUTHWEST
Springfield State Office Building
Conference Room, B42

436 Dwight Street 

Springfield, MA 01103

Parking: Metered street parking around state building

 

Tuesday, January 23

4:30 – 6:00 PM
GREENFIELD | NORTHWEST
Greenfield Middle School
Auditorium

195 Federal Street, STE 100

Greenfield, MA 01301

Parking: open lots around school

 

Wednesday, January 24

10:00 – 11:30 AM
PITTSFIELD | WEST
Berkshire Athenaeum: Pittsfield’s Public Library
Library Auditorium, Basement

One Wendell Avenue

Pittsfield, MA 01201

Parking: Limited parking in lot; street parking

 

Thursday, January 25

11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
BOSTON | EAST
Charles Hurley Building
Minihan Hall 

19 Staniford Street, 6th Floor

Boston, MA 02114

 

Thursday, January 25

5:00 – 6:30 PM
LOWELL | NORTHEAST
UMass Lowell
O’Leary Library*, Room 222 (South Campus)

61 Wilder Street

Lowell, MA 01854 

Parking: Wilder Lot/Visitor Metered Parking Lot

 

Friday, January 26

10:00 – 11:30 AM
DARTMOUTH | SOUTHEAST
UMass Dartmouth
Woodland Commons, Conference Room #1-3

285 Old Westport Road

North Dartmouth, MA 02747

Parking: Lot #7

 

Friday, January 26

2:30 – 4:00 PM
CAPE & ISLANDS | SOUTHEAST
Hyannis Youth & Community Center Shepley Community Room

141 Bassett Lane

Hyannis, MA 02601

 

Monday, January 29

12:00 – 1:30 PM
BOSTON | EAST
Charles Hurley Building
Minihan Hall 

19 Staniford Street, 6th Floor

Boston, MA 02114

 

If you need a reasonable accommodation to attend or participate in these events please email your request to the GIC’s ADA Coordinator, GIC.ADA.Requests@MassMail.State.MA.US, no later than Friday 1/12/18.

(An accommodation will not be assured if a request is not made in a timely manner).

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