SENSITIVITY

From: NARFE National Headquarters

Sent: Monday, November 23, 2009 12:34 PM

Subject: Appropriate use of NARFE Email

Over the past several weeks there have been exchanges of e-mails among NARFE members expressing views about the current Administration and public officials. Some of these have been very critical and have offended some of our members. Please remember that NARFE as an organization is political, but nonpartisan. When sending an e-mail to NARFE members on matters of a political nature, always consider the impact it will have on their sensibilities. Moreover, be sure to include a disclaimer to the effect that the views expressed in the e-mail are those of the sender and not those of the NARFE organization.

Margaret Baptiste
National President

EDITORIAL:

Since the above message was distributed to All NARFE GEMS members, additional comment didn’t seem necessary. However, it seems some of our own Chapter members have offended other members with their jokes and words. Since this fact is now brought out into the open, I trust we will all get into the holiday spirit and be more sensitive of everyone’s believes and values.

This Chapter has been always known for its frankness and direct talk; however, we function as a team. We are all in the same boat and discussion is not physical sport. It should be an art form.

Bob Wehrli

GEHA VS BC/BS

FOR MEMBERS ON MEDICARE WITH STANDARD OPTION SUPPLEMEMTAL PLANS

At our November 20, 2009 meeting we heard the Blue Cross/Blue Shield representative discuss changes in their plan for the coming year. One of the changes is their shameless annual increase in premiums. Federal retirees get no COLA next year but BC/BS raised their premium another 9%. This is nothing new. Somehow GEHA manages to have minimal or no increases (That’s right, there were two years that I know of that GEHA did not increase their premiums) while BC/BS raises their premiums 8 to 10 % every year. And why shouldn’t they? We have members who are willing to pay some $2000/year more to BC/BS than they would pay GEHA for exactly the same coverage! In fact, this year it will cost subscribers who are loyal to BC/BS $2624.16/ year more for family and $1138.32/year more for individuals. And what do they get for the higher premiums? NOTHING. With GEHA you keep the same doctors, and same hospitals. The only thing that changes is your premium.

In past years it was difficult to select a carrier. We had to compare deductibles and copays for each plan and examine the list of preferred providers and participating physicians. Life became much simpler after Medicare – one of the advantages of aging. Once we are on Medicare, deductibles, copays, participating physicians and preferred providers are no longer an issue. Medicare pays their portion and our FEHB plan pays the rest – all of it. No deductibles, no copay, nothing. We can go to any physician in the country without looking at a list. The same is true for hospitals. In fact, before making a trip to Italy a few years ago I checked with GEHA on insurance. Since Medicare pays nothing when you are out of the U.S., GEHA picks up the entire medical cost – just like BC/BS.

So why did I pay $2256 more for BC/BS this year after preaching the advantage of post Medicare GEHA? You can be sure it had nothing to do with loyalty. The deciding factor was the cost of prescriptions. GEHA pays 50% and BC/BS pays $65 or $10 for a 90-day supply of brand name or generic drugs, respectively. With a prescription bill of more than $21,000 (one Rx alone costs $2000 for a 90 day supply) simple arithmetic pointed the way to BC/BS. But if you do not have huge prescription costs, GEHA is the obvious choice for you.

There is a change this year. GEHA still pays 50% toward prescriptions but with a maximum of 500.00 so I have to do the arithmetic again. Maybe I can switch back to GEHA. We had them for four years and only switched to BC/BC because our prescription costs took a gigantic leap.

It’s simple arithmetic, folks. Save yourself money and force BC/BS to work harder at controlling costs. As long as you are willing to pay an extra $218.68/ month (Medicare couples) or an extra $94.86/month for individuals on Medicare, BC/BS will never have reason to keep their rates competitive.

One final note: Our speaker from BC/BS mentioned the Blue Cross name as a criterion in selecting a plan. Nonsense! No one cares who pays after Medicare. The provider only bills Medicare and Medicare automatically passes the information on to the secondary insurer. They don’t even have to know who your secondary insurer is.

Nicholas Calvano November 20, 2009

WINING COMBINATION

Three programs seem to bring the troops out. They are Taxes, Insurance, and a good party. At the Monday November 16th, we had some of each going for us. John Lowe provided the bit on Taxes, Diane Thompson did a great job of representing BC/BS and Alice Mauzy provided the information on the Christmas Party. But I truly think the members enjoyed bringing the food for the Ormond Ministries and the toys for the Police department. Several members had stories involving their purchases. They were living their past in a good way.

If that isn't good enough, Cece tells me we have 43 members signed up for the Christmas Party and Lee tells me we have 4 (yes, FOUR) new members , one transfer member and six new Dues Withholding , all as a result of our Monday meeting plus good old fashion hard work. The new members are Richard La Pierre, Georgia La Pierre, Frances Sorensen, and Loraine Savage. The Transfer member is Fredrick Sorensen. To top it off we had 47 people at the meeting.

The Officers wish to thank everyone. As a team we did a great job.

CHAPTER MEETING NOVEMBER 16, 2009

There are several good reasons why you need to attend the NARFE chapter meeting on November 16^th. Reservations for the Christmas party close November 27^th. If you plan to attend, the next meeting provides an excellent time to make your reservations and buy your tickets. The Christmas Party at the Oceanside Country Club is December 3, 2009 at 11:30 a.m.

If you would like to donate food and a toy, then we will be collecting these items at the next meeting on November 16^th.

If you have questions about your insurance, then we have Diane Thompson, our representative with BC/BS as a speaker at the next meeting. We had asked to have representatives from the other insurance companies, but they have failed to make appointments. We will continue to try to get these companies at future meetings, but those meeting will be beyond the OPEN SEASON which ends December14, 2009.

Board Meeting - November 9, 2009

NARFE Chapter 2247

Ormond Beach, FL

Executive Board Meeting - November 9, 2009

Attending were Bob Wehrli, Cece Dougherty, Lee Sherman, Marie Donahue, John Lowe, June Griffin, Arturo Araya, and Mary Araya. Issues discussed:

Booster Account: A $50.00 donation was received bringing the account total to $85.00.

Holiday Donations from members: Food received at the November meeting will be taken to Halifax Urban Ministries. Lee will invite members to assist in loading the bags of food into her car. Persons from Halifax Urban will receive the food donated. Monies from last month’s 50/50 raffle ($31.00) will be added to this month’s raffle result and donated as gift certicates. The unwrapped toy donations will be picked up and Bob will take them to the Police Station. All donations are voluntary.

Senior Exposition Recap: Overall estimation, our participation was deemed well worth the time and effort. We were able to recruit for our chapter, New Smyrna and Deland. Bob will meet with John Lowe on reimbursement costs: mileage, garage parking, etc.

Regret was expressed that the chapter was not able to participate in the October 13 Health Fair in Ormond. Mr. Knies who, with his wife, runs the Health Fair, is a retired federal worker. It was suggested that, to gain support for our recruiting effort, one of our $10.00 luncheon coupons be offered to the Knies as an incentive to attend a chapter meeting. Also noted: the News Journal contributed the $125.00 which allowed our chapter to man a booth at the Volusia Mall.

Christmas Party: Alice Mauzy, hostess, reports for the minutes that everything is set up for a successful party. The deadline to give in the numbers of attendees is Monday, November 30. Cece has the responsibility for the libations, Marguerite for the entertainment. Our sound system will be brought in by John Lowe with the assistance of Ron Richardson and Victor Dean. The phone committee will remind members with no e-mail about the Christmas luncheon.

Six Cobbler Aprons with NARFE logo were shown; acquired for use at conventions and for Senior Expo.

NARFE Magazines: Members will be reminded to bring copies to meetings, get a NARFE label affixed and help the recruitment effort by dropping them off at doctors’ offices.

Petition Form to Florida Senators: Printing postcard forms to support the Health Bill was discussed. Proposal tabled for future discussion.

Adjournment at 11:30.

VETERAN'S DAY

We truly take a lot for granted.

Forget the football 'heroes' and movie 'stars'. This is the price of freedom..

May God bless our soldiers, of all wars. Remember Nov 11th is Veteran's Day. Remember to say,

"Thank you for serving our country".

Senior Association Coalition

Meeting Date: December 1, 2009

The next meeting of the Senior Association Coalition has been scheduled for Tuesday,

December 1, 2009, at 10 a.m. at the Council on Aging office, 160 N. Beach Street, Daytona

Beach; parking and entrance on Palmetto side of the building.

Meeting Topic

Counting Down to Census Day, April 1, 2010

Presenter

Joie Alexander

Volusia County Council, Vice Chair and At-Large

Chair, Volusia County’s Complete Count Committee

HEALTH CARE

The health care legislation passed the House late Saturday night (November 7th.) on a 220 to 215 vote with Democratic support and one Republican voting for the Bill.

To those NARFE members who sent e-mails and called or wrote their support for the Bill: congratulations. To those people who supported the House Bill, you have won a place in history and in time the hearts of future generations.

Now, we have to urge the Senate to pass their version of health care, and hope it can be reconciled quickly with the House bill.

H.R. 3631 (again, we need action)

H.R. 3631 protects all Medicare Part B beneficiaries from a premium increase in 2010, including federal retirees who are not eligible to receive Social Security benefits.

Urge our Senators to quickly pass H.R. 3631 to allow the Medicare agency to prepare for 2010.

The NARFE Legislative Action Center features an Action Alert which allows you to send NARFE’s message to both your Senators. (The direct path to this Urgent Action Alert is http://capwiz.com/narfe/issues/alert/?alertid=14260196)

MEDICARE- PART B- PREMIUM

We as servants of the people called for prompt Senate passage of NARFE supported legislation, H.R. 3631, to protect all Medicare Part B beneficiaries from a premium increase in 2010, including federal retirees who are not eligible to receive Social Security benefits. NARFE members should help “close the deal” by urging their Senators to quickly pass H.R. 3631 to allow the Medicare agency to prepare for 2010.

An Action Alert which allows you to send NARFE’s message to both your Senators is:

http://capwiz.com/narfe/issues/alert/?alertid=14260196

I have sent my message. Please send your message. Numbers count.