Your Health Matters - Investing In Your Health

MEDICAL PREMIUM REIMBURSEMENT PROGRAM

If you live outside of a LACERS HMO service area or outside California, the Medical Premium Reimbursement Program could help you pay the premium of your chosen plan with your LACERS health subsidy. You can participate in this program if you are an eligible Retiree or eligible Surviving Spouse/ Domestic Partner.

Provided you meet all the program qualifications, you may participate in the MPRP if you are paying the entire premium balance or the balance of partially subsidized premium in one of the following:

• A qualified individual plan
• A plan sponsored by an active employer
• A plan sponsored by a retirement system other than LACERS

To qualify for the MPRP, you must:

• Be eligible to receive a LACERS medical subsidy
• Reside more than three months of the year outside of a LACERS HMO service area or outside the state of California, but within the United States and its territories
• Not be enrolled in a LACERS-sponsored medical plan

To receive reimbursement, you must submit a claim form, evidence of coverage (such as a membership ID card or statement) and proof of premium payment. Upon your initial request for reimbursement, a certificate of insurance is required. Reimbursement is only for the premiums paid, including Medicare Part D insurance, not to exceed your maximum allowed monthly medical subsidy.

For more information on the Medical Premium Reimbursement Program or your other LACERS health plan options, please contact LACERS Health Benefits Administration at (800) 779-8328 or lacers.health@lacity.org.

LACERS - PLANS MORE YEAR-ROUND EVENTS FOR RETIRED MEMBERS

LACERS health benefits Open Enrollment period ended on
November 15, 2007. At five Open Enrollment events in Southern California and Las Vegas, LACERS staff was available to assist and advise Members of their health plan options.

In addition to Open Enrollment events, plans are being made for more year-round events in 2008 that will include seminars on Wellness, Medicare and Elder Law. Watch for mailings about these upcoming events.

MEDICARE EASY PAY PROGRAM MAKES SENSE FOR SOME MEMBERS

Medicare Easy Pay is an optional electronic payment program for beneficiaries who are directly billed for their Medicare premiums by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS). This payment option allows beneficiaries to have their Medicare premiums automatically deducted from either their savings or checking account free of charge each month.

By using Medicare Easy Pay:
• Your Medicare premium is paid on time even when you are away from home or on vacation
• You’ll save time and postage
• You’ll have an accurate payment history

For questions about Medicare Easy Pay, contact Medicare directly at 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).

NOTE: If you receive a monthly Social Security benefit check and your Medicare Part B premium is deducted from it, then you do not need to participate in Medicare Easy Pay.

RESOURCES FOR LACERS HEALTH PLAN MEMBERS AND THEIR CAREGIVERS

LACERS offers the Evercare – Solutions for Caregivers program to all individuals enrolled in a LACERS medical plan and to those providing care for them. This program provides referrals to services nearby or across the country, to caregivers and care receivers alike. These services can include:

• Identifying community resources and coordinating services
• Arranging up to six free hours of geriatric case management services, including an onsite assessment, care plan development and consultation
• Arranging two free hours of consulting/services with an Elder
Law Attorney

For more information on their covered services, call (866) 896-1895 or TDHI (800) 647-6038 between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. PST, or visit their website, www.EvercareHealthPlans.com/caregiver