Coming just after January, which is the month of new beginnings, is February. From the Latin word Februarius, meaning “to purify,” February was known as the “Month of Purification” during ancient Roman times. It is a transitional time, finding itself just after a month of reflection and new year’s resolutions. I am confident that all your goals you have set for this next year are moving in the right direction. The good news is you have access to one of the finest medical plans on the market that can help you achieve your new year’s resolutions. February is also Low Vision Awareness Month. Some of us need some assistance in this area and the LAFRA PPO Medical Plan is here to help.
VSP Vision Insurance- To help keep your life in focus, vision coverage through Vision Service Plan (VSP) is automatically included when you enroll in the LAFRA PPO Medical Plan. You can choose any provider, but you’ll save money if you use a VSP network provider. If you use a non-VSP provider, you are responsible for paying the provider in full and submitting a claim to VSP for reimbursement. Your benefit includes an annual eye exam with only a $10.00 copay and up to $200.00 for the cost of frames every other calendar year. Most lenses are covered at 100%. If you choose to wear contact lenses you are eligible for up to $200.00 every calendar year in lieu of glasses. The LAFRA Vision Plan will pay up to $1500.00 per eye, once per lifetime for LASIK eye surgery.
Pension members, you have some updates on your subsidy. The City of Los Angeles Administrative Code (LAAC) dictates the maximum single-party Medicare Health Subsidy for retired members and qualified survivors. Effective January 1, 2023, the maximum monthly Medicare subsidy will remain unchanged, while the maximum non-Medicare subsidy for qualified surviving spouses/domestic partners will increase by $38.85, and the dental subsidy will decrease by $0.79. On September 27, 2022, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released the 2023 premiums for the Medicare Part B program. Beginning January 1, 2023, the standard monthly premium for Part B will decrease from $170.10 to $164.90, which is a difference of $5.20. Pensioners who are enrolling in Medicare for the first time in 2023 will be charged a base premium of $164.90 at a minimum, as will Medicare enrollees whose income is above the threshold set by CMS.
A big thank you from LAFRA goes out to Doug Weber, Mike Reitmayer, and their families for putting on the 26th Annual Buzzard Bait family fun ride. This event is held annually over the MLK holiday weekend. The event was well-attended and ran smoothly due to all the volunteers in attendance. Thank you to all the friends, family, and sponsors who provide the generous contributions to make this event successful. The Widows, Orphans, & Disabled Firefighters Fund appreciates your generosity. These funds will provide some relief to our widows, orphans, or disabled Firefighters. This event was captured this year on video and will be posted on the LAFRA site. If you have never attended this event, be sure to check out the video so you can see why you need to attend.
The LA Firemen’s Relief Association Holiday Dinner Dance was held on December 10, 2022, in downtown at the LA Athletic Club. This 142-year-old private athletic club provides an amazing space for this event, which was much needed and appreciated by all in attendance. If you were not able to attend, please look out for this event next year. This event is great for your fire station holiday party.
Are you expecting a new child? You have 60 days to notify LAFRA that you are adding a dependent without having to wait for an open enrollment period. This also is necessary for marriages, domestic partnerships, adoptions, and legal guardianships. Please provide the supporting documents in a timely fashion. Some of you may have received an Other Insurance Form or an Accident Form from our third-party administrator, HealthComp. Other insurance forms are sent out to inquire if the member or dependents have insurance with another insurer. An example would be if your spouse has coverage through their work in addition to the coverage from LAFRA. HealthComp may send out an accident form following a claim for an injury. A good example would be an injury as a result of a vehicle accident or a slip and fall. The purpose of the accident form is to inquire if another entity is liable for the claim. If you receive these forms, please respond timely so the claim can be processed and paid. If the form is not completed it can delay the payment of the claim. You can also call HealthComp and update your status via telephone. The purpose of these forms is to ensure LAFRA is not paying claims that are liable by another entity. If you have any questions, please call HealthComp’s customer service team at (866-995-2372), or email at hconline@healthcomp.com
Save the Dates:
• Hook and Ladder- 3/18
• Scholarship Submission Deadline- 3/31
• Lane Kemper – 4/17
• Pechanga Reunion- 5/24 to 5/28
• Hope For Firefighters – 6/1
Christopher Stine
president@lafra.org
323.259.5202
