Articles about the State GIC that may be useful to Massachusetts retirees
Tasked With Reducing Retiree Insurance Costs
JULY 2012 VOICE: Retiree and labor advocates are keeping a close eye on the new Special Commission on Retiree Healthcare that is now entering its 3rd month of deliberations.
Will Blue Cross Submit Bid?
JULY 2012 VOICE: The start of Fiscal Year 2013 marks the last remaining contract year for the state Group Insurance Commission’s six health insurance carriers. All told, the GIC offers a selection of six different Medicare and eleven different non-Medicare plans.
Under state law, the GIC cannot extend its contracts beyond five years. Typically, the agency will award a three-year contract with the option for two one-year extensions.
Cite Current & Future Costs
JULY 2012 VOICE: As the strongest advocates for cuts in pension and healthcare benefits, neither the Mass. Taxpayers Foundation (MTF) nor the Mass. Municipal Association (MMA) should be unknown to most public retirees.
Peabody & Orange Eye January Entry
JUNE 20, 2012: A newly enacted change to insurance law has opened the door for mid-year entry into the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC). Unless otherwise provided by special act, enrollment in the GIC has traditionally begun on July 1.
Under Chapter 118, the FY13 Supplemental Budget signed into law by Governor Patrick on June 19, 2012, municipalities may now also enter the GIC on January 1, if they notify the agency of their intention to do so by July 1 of the previous year.
State's 1.43% Bucks Trend
MAY 2012 VOICE: With national health costs struggling to stay below 100% increases and our state’s public sector critics crying “budget busters”, the Commonwealth’s Group Insurance Commission’s (GIC) FY13 rate increase of just 1.43% has to be headline news.
Prohibits Mid-Year Copayment/Deductible Increases
MAY 2012 VOICE: Following through on a commitment made during the Municipal Health Care Reform debate last summer, Governor Deval Patrick has signed into law a provision that prohibits the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC) from mid-year increases in copayments or deductibles.
Presents Report To Special Commission
JUNE 1, 2012: The Special Commission on Retiree Healthcare held its second meeting on Thursday, May 31. Similar to its inaugural meeting in April, the Commission used this meeting to continue its fact-finding inquiry into both state and local retiree healthcare benefits.
3% COLA Approved & GIC Rates Maintained
APRIL 25, 2012: This week, debate is underway in the House of Representatives over the Fiscal Year 2013 State Budget. The weeklong debate will consider over 850 amendments to the $32 billion budget proposal.
OME Rates Clarified
APRIL 18, 2012: For the overwhelming majority of Medicare eligible retirees insured through the state’s Group Insurance Commission (GIC), the insurance plan of choice has long been the Optional Medicare Extension (OME) Plan run by UniCare. Typically, most OME subscribers also include CIC coverage with their basic plan.
Recent Insurance & Pension Reforms May Lower Costs
APRIL 6, 2012: On Thursday, the Special Commission to Study Retiree Healthcare held the first of its seven scheduled meetings at the State House. With 9 of its 11 members present, the Commission heard from a series of experts who outlined the complex issues under consideration.
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.
