Public Employee Press

News about your benefits
Health and Security briefs

New look for optical vouchers

The next time you request an optical voucher to use at a participating panel provider, you will notice that it has a new look.

The old voucher had green and black print on 3.5 x 9 inch white paper. The new one uses black ink on green paper and is standard letter size (8½ x 11), folded to show the mailing address in a window envelope.

Prescription drug mailing

The DC 37 Health & Security Plan mailed its annual notice of creditable prescription drug coverage in November.

Since the federal government deems that the plan provides “creditable coverage” — equal to or better than a standard Medicare drug plan — Medicare-eligible DC 37 workers and retirees do not need to join a Medicare drug plan.

The notice contains important information about how enrollment in a Medicare drug plan would affect your current prescription benefits. You should file the notice with your benefit information.

Enrollment period for Medicare drug plan

You can join a Medicare drug plan from Nov. 15 through Dec. 31 this year. Enrollment is effective Jan. 1, 2010.

Retirees may receive literature, phone calls or meeting invitations from private plans offering prescription drug benefits.

The DC 37 Health & Security Plan urges retirees to study the information carefully and reach out to the plan’s Health Insurance and Pension Counseling Unit at 212-815-1200 before joining any other plan.