* * * * * *LACERA retirees who subscribe to the CIGNA Medical Insurance Plan have seen significant raises in their premiums in recent years. Since 2007 CIGNA premiums have risen 45.3%. As of July 1, 2010 the premium reached a level 17.2% above the Anthem Blue Cross benchmark premium rates. Needless to say LACERA has been deluged with calls from upset subscribers.
At its meeting on August 4 the Board of Retirement Trustees voted to implement an open enrollment period from August 15 through October 15, 2010 for CIGNA plan members. This means that members can transfer from CIGNA to alternative LACERA health plans without having to wait six months for the transfer to take effect as long as they apply before October 15, 2010.
RELAC members can take satisfaction in knowing that members of their Board of Directors, Bill de la Garza and Ed Morris, were active in achieving this waiver of the six-month waiting period. Bill is the elected retiree representative on the Board of Retirement and Ed is the alternate retiree representative. It was Bill who, at an earlier meeting, made the motion which got the ball rolling to provide relief to CIGNA subscribers.
Still before the Board of Retirement for consideration is a proposal to implement, beginning in 2011, an annual two month open enrollment period for all retiree medical plans at the time of annual premium rate changes.
* * * * * *Our Office Hours Have Changed
For some time now, the RELAC office has been open on Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to noon, and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.; and on Fridays from 9:00 a.m. to noon.
Effective immediately, our office is open for service on Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. We will remain open through the lunch hour; however we are closed on Fridays.
We are confident that this change in office hours will not diminish service to our members and will result in a reduction in operational costs. Should you wish to contact us outside of office hours, you may leave us a message by calling (626) 308-0532 or (800) 537-3522. Office staff will call you back during the next working day. We remain committed to being responsive to the needs of our members!
* * * * * * |
 |