Hello April… new month, new beginning, new mindset, new focus, new start, new intentions, new results. May it be a great month and bring laughter, joy, good health, and camaraderie to all my friends, family, coworkers, and loved ones. I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the courage, bravery, steadfastness, and perseverance of our Firefighters and their Families involved in the recent Alameda Incident. This incident has affected all of us, but no one more than the members involved and their families. Our focus at LAFRA is to support these members and their loved ones in any way we can over the weeks and months ahead. LAFRA is working in collaboration with UFLAC and the LAFD to focus on the recovery and long-term wellness of our members and their families.
Attention all members, you should have received a Member Summary Report last month. What is included in your Member Summary Report, and why do you need to review it? This report will provide you with all the current information that LAFRA has on file for you. This document includes your current Relief dues, Life and Accident coverage, Estate Planning Benefit, and (LTC) Long Term Care coverage if purchased above the base coverage. While you are reviewing this document, please pay close attention to the last line, which is the amount, if any, you are contributing to Widows, Orphans, and Disabled Firefighters Fund. If you are contributing, please consider increasing that amount, or if you are not contributing, please open your heart and start your monthly investment today for this great organization. You can call Member Services at (323) 259 5287 to get started today. Another great option is to become a recurring donor; simply visit givetoahero.org/donate-now to set up monthly contributions via credit card, e-check, PayPal, or Venmo.
It’s that time of year again for changes to your medical coverage. The month of April is open enrollment for the LAFRA PPO Medical and Kaiser plans. Open enrollment will occur this month for coverage effective July 1, 2024. You should be receiving an open enrollment package this month. If you need additional info, please reach out to the Member Services Team. Open enrollment is the time to add or delete dependents and the opportunity to join a medical plan for Firefighters by Firefighters. If you do not take advantage of this open enrollment period, you will have to wait until October’s open enrollment unless you have an IRS qualifying event like a marriage or the birth of a child.
The Medical Committee and Full Board approved the 2024 plan renewal at the March board meeting. The rate increase for LAFRA’S PPO plan for retirees will be 1.77%, and for the active PPO plan, the increase will be 8.50%. These increases will be effective July 1, 2024. We are still unsure what the new subsidy increase will be for our upcoming contract negotiations. LAFRA did present our plan to LAFPP last month for approval, as this is part of our contractual obligation. We have provided all documentation requested and are awaiting a decision from LAFPP on what the increase in subsidy will be for this next plan year. This item will be on the agenda at the April 4, 2024, LAFPP meeting. LAFRA will provide updated rates as soon as we are provided with those changes from LAFPP. If you are currently enrolled in our Kaiser HMO plan and are an active member, you will see an increase in premium of 5.22%. If you are Medicare eligible, you will see a decrease of -6.56%, and if you are a non-Medicare retiree, you will see an increase of 5.20% for a net decrease of 2.71% overall. The Medical Committee made the decision to make some plan design changes for this renewal to the Kaiser HMO plan. These changes were necessary to maintain the affordability of the Kaiser HMO plan and to be consistent with the current LAFRA PPO Medical copays. Effective July 1, 2024, the following changes will take effect: Increasing the office visit copay from $10 to $15 per visit. Increasing the Emergency Room copay from $75 to $150 per visit for Non-Medicare Retirees and $120 per visit for Medicare Retirees. Prescription copays are increasing from: Generic Tier 1: $5 retail/ $10 mail to $10 retail/ $20 mail. Brand Tier 2: $10 retail/ $20 mail to $20 retail/ $40 mail. Specialty: $10 copay to $20 copay.
Workers Compensation update: Have you suffered an injury/illness that has been the result of a work-related cause? If you’re an active member, the process is somewhat clear and has become more streamlined. When a member is injured, notification shall be made to the member’s supervisor as soon as possible. The supervisor would then initiate the reporting process through the Injury/Illness Reporting System. This process includes several forms, including the DWC-1 form that needs to be signed by the member. Once forms are submitted by the supervisor MLU is notified and becomes the main point of contact between the members and our Workers Compensation TPA (Sedgewick). If you are retired and need to file a Workers Compensation Claim for a work-related injury/illness, please contact The Medical Liaison Unit (MLU) directly at: Medical Liaison Unit (MLU)
Figueroa Plaza
201 N. Figueroa Street, Room 1250
Los Angeles, CA 90012
lafdmedicalliaison@lacity.org
Phone: 213-202-3440 / Fax 213-202-3174
ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS: The Lane Kemper Softball Classic is rapidly approaching. Please join us on April 24, 2024, from 8:00 am-5:00 pm for this historical event, benefiting the WIDOWS, ORPHANS, & DISABLED FIREFIGHTER’S FUND. For more information, please contact Jud Ream (310) 770-5421 or Chad Corona (760) 533-9426. Refer to page ## for flyer.
Save the Dates:
• Scholarship Exam Day- 4/13
• Lane Kemper-4/24
• Pechenga Reunion- 5/13 to 5/17
• Hope for Firefighters- 6/6
Christopher Stine
president@lafra.org
323.259.5202