Articles about the State GIC that may be useful to Massachusetts retirees
Rising Costs & Affordability Main Concerns
SEPTEMBER 2019: Earlier this year, Mass Retirees filed six separate legislative proposals relative to health insurance benefits for public retirees and surviving spouses. Known as “bills”, these proposals are now before various legislative committees where public hearings are held, followed by detailed analysis by committee staff.
Mass Retirees Opposes Voucher-Like Scheme
SEPTEMBER 2019: For more than a decade, public retirees have found their health insurance benefits under near constant siege by those looking to cut costs and reduce government spending. Through it all, Mass Retirees has often found itself engaged as the last line of defense against proposed cuts and changes that would negatively impact public retirees and survivors.
Affordability, Representation and Transparency Key Issues
JULY 25, 2019: Mass Retirees and union leaders packed a State House hearing today that focused on a legislation impacting health, dental and life insurance benefits for public retirees and active employees. Chaired by Rep. Jerry Parisella (D-Beverly) and Senator Mike Brady (D-Brockton), the Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on more than 40 bills, nine of which are sponsored by Mass Retirees.
STATEHOUSE, BOSTON, JULY 21, 2019 (STATEHOUSE NEWS SERVICE) – Three weeks after the start of the new fiscal year, Democratic leaders finalized a fiscal 2020 budget agreement over the weekend to end a weeks-long stalemate and authorize $43.1 billion in state government spending over the next year.
Focus on Members’ Costs & Future Plan Design
JULY 10, 2019: In what might very well be a first, the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC) hosted a near 3-hour meeting with Mass Retirees and the state’s public employee and teacher unions.
MAY 1, 2019: The month’s long open enrollment for the state Group Insurance Commission’s (GIC) health and dental insurance plans ends Wednesday, May 1, 2019.
Open enrollment provides an annual opportunity for the 430,000 state and municipal retirees and employees enrolled in the GIC’s insurance plans to make changes to their coverage, including switching insurance carriers. Coverage for FY20 begins on July 1, 2019.
Benefit Fairs Begin April 10th
APRIL 3, 2019: The state Group Insurance Commission’s annual open enrollment period began today and runs through May 1st. For the 430,000 enrollees insured by the GIC, the open enrollment period allows for changes to be made in choosing insurance providers.
1.9% Increase for Popular OME Plan
MARCH 1, 2019: On Thursday the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC) delivered good news to the more than 82,000 retirees and surviving spouses insured under its Option Medicare Extension (OME) plan. For Fiscal Year 2020, UniCare OME premiums will increase a meager 1.9% over the current year.
No Medicare Benefit Changes
FEBRUARY 7, 2019: The 17-member Group Insurance Commission (GIC) met this morning to set insurance plan design for Fiscal Year 2020. Plan design encompasses insurance benefits, as well as copayments and deductibles. Insurance premiums are scheduled to be approved on February 28.
For the coming fiscal year, which begins on July 1, there will be no benefit or copayment changes impacting Medicare supplement plans. GIC Medicare enrollees do not pay annual deductibles.
Focus on Pending FY20 Health Insurance Changes
JANUARY 4, 2019: With potential changes to the state’s health insurance plans set to be announced on Thursday, January 17, the Group Insurance Commission (GIC) has scheduled a “Listening Tour” with planned meetings in Boston, Worcester and Springfield later this month. The three public meetings will take place before the 17-member GIC Commission votes on the proposed benefit changes on February 7 and sets rates for FY20 on February 28.
Since 1968 the Retired State, County and Municipal Employees Association has been the leading voice for Massachusetts public retirees and their families. Join with our 52,000 members as we continue the fight.
