Month: December 2017

On December 7, 2017, the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners approved new maximums for the Medicare health subsidy, the health subsidy for Qualified Surviving Spouses/Domestic Partners, as well as the dental subsidy.  These new maximum amounts will be effective January 1, 2018 through December 31, 2018.

Medicare Health Subsidy Benefit – A Medicare Health Subsidy is provided to all eligible retired members or respective Qualified Surviving Spouses/Domestic Partners who are enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.  The new Medicare Health Subsidy maximum is $542.51.  Your maximum monthly subsidy is based on the number of whole years of service at retirement, as shown in the chart below.

Member’s Whole Years of Service	Maximum Medicare Health Subsidy*
20 or more	The lesser of: $542.51 or 100% of the single-party premium of the participant’s health plan.
15 – 19	The lesser of: $488.26 or 90% of the single-party premium of the participant’s health plan.
10 – 14	The lesser of: $406.88 or 75% of the single-party premium of the participant’s health plan.
Less than 10	No subsidy; Tier 6 retirees see below.**
*If the member: (1) entered DROP or retired after July 14, 2011, and (2) did not opt in during the designated period to make the additional 2% pension contribution, the Maximum Medical Health Subsidy is equal to the July 1, 2011 amount of $480.41.
** Retired Tier 6 members with a service-connected disability pension, with less than 10 years of service, age 55 and over, enrolled in a Board approved health plan, and enrolled in Parts A and B of Medicare, may be eligible for 75% of the maximum Medicare subsidy or 75% of the single-party cost of the retiree’s plan, whichever is lower.

Qualified Survivors Health Benefit – The new Qualified Surviving Spouse/Domestic Partner (QSS/DP) health subsidy is $853.39.   If you currently receive a QSS/DP pension payment from LAFPP, you are also eligible for a health subsidy if the following qualifications are met:

• You must be enrolled in a Board-approved health plan (one offered by Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association (LAFRA), Los Angeles Police Relief Association (LAPRA), UFLAC or Fire & Police Pensions) or participate in the Health Insurance Premium Reimbursement Program.
• The sworn member had at least 10 years of service.
• The sworn member received, or was eligible to receive, a health subsidy at the time of death; otherwise, you will be eligible when the sworn member would have been 55 years old.
• The sworn member was a Tier 6 retiree with a service-connected disability.

If you receive a survivor benefit due to a purchase made by the member under the Survivor Benefit Purchase Program for Retirees, you are not eligible for a health subsidy.

Member Dental Subsidy Benefit – The member dental subsidy will remain at $44.60 per month.  Members may receive up to $44.60 towards their Board approved dental insurance premiums. 

Eligibility to receive a dental subsidy is also based on age and years of service.  Members must be at least 55 years of age and have a minimum of 10 whole years of service to qualify for this subsidy.  If you have retired with 25 or more years of service, you may be eligible for the maximum dental subsidy amount. Eligible retired members with less than 25 years of service may receive 4% of the maximum dental subsidy for each whole year of service, not to exceed their single-party dental plan premium.

Dependents and Qualified Survivors are not eligible to receive a dental subsidy.

Questions

If you would like more information about LAFPP’s Health and Dental Subsidy program eligibility requirements, please contact the Medical and Dental Benefits Section at (213) 279-3115 or (844) 88-LAFPP ext. 93115.  Information is also available in the Retired Members section of www.lafpp.com.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the maximum standard Medicare Part B (Part B) premium for the 2018 calendar year.  The standard Part B premium will remain at $134.00 and will be effective January 1, 2018.  Action may be required of members whose current Part B reimbursement is less than $134.00.

By the end of 2017, Social Security Administration (SSA) will send you a benefits verification statement for 2018.  That SSA statement will list your initial benefit amount and detail your Medicare enrollment.  For each part of Medicare in which you are enrolled, there is a corresponding amount that is deducted on a monthly basis, including your basic 2018 Part B premium. If you are not eligible to receive SSA benefits, CMS will send you a billing statement with your new Part B premium.  Part B premiums may range from $105.00 to $134.00.  Pensioners who have recently enrolled in Medicare Part B will be charged the standard 2018 monthly premium and will be reimbursed at the maximum amount of $134.00.  As a reminder, retired members and qualified survivors can receive reimbursement for their Part B premiums if they are eligible for a health subsidy and are enrolled in both Medicare Parts A and B. 

Reimbursements for your Part B premiums can be found on your pension check stub. If your current Part B reimbursement amount is different from your 2018 Part B premium, please submit a copy of your Social Security benefits verification statement, or CMS billing statement, as soon as it is available to LAFPP.  

Once your correct Part B reimbursement amount has been confirmed, changes will be reflected on the next available pension roll. If eligible, you may also be reimbursed retroactively up to 12 pension roll months from the date your documentation is received.  If you have specific questions about your current Part B reimbursement amount, please contact the Medical and Dental Benefits Section at (213) 279-3115 or toll free at (844) 88-LAFPP ext. 93115.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What document do I need to submit to receive my correct Part B reimbursement amount?

You may submit a copy of your SSA benefits verification statement (Form SSA-4926) or a copy of a current CMS billing statement (CMA 500).   

2.  My spouse (non-LAFPP member) is currently enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.  Does he/she need to submit Medicare Part B premium documentation?

No, only the pensioner who is currently receiving a Medicare Part B premium reimbursement needs to submit documentation to LAFPP.

3.  I received a letter stating that I pay a higher Part B premium based on my income level (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, i.e. IRMAA). May I submit this letter as proof of my Part B premium?

Yes, you may submit a copy of the first page of the letter that contains your name, address and 2018 monthly Medicare Part B premium deduction to LAFPP Medical & Dental Benefits, however the maximum Part B reimbursement amount cannot exceed $134.00 per month.

4.   I receive a monthly Social Security payment, but I did not receive / cannot locate my “New Benefit Amount” Statement. What can I do?

You can access proof of your 2018 Medicare Part B basic premium online at the SSA website: https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/. You may be required to create or register your SSA account.

5.   How do I submit proof of my Part B premium?

Please make a copy of your statement and send it attention to Medical and Dental Benefits Section via (1) Email to: mdbsection@lafpp.com; (2) Fax to (213) 628-7782 or (3) Mail to Department of Fire and Police Pensions, Attn: Medical & Dental Benefits, 701 E. 3rd Street, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90013.

6.   When do I need to provide LAFPP documentation of my Part B Premium?

You may submit your documentation at any time during 2018 and receive a retroactive reimbursement of the balance of your 2018 basic Part B premiums for up to 12 pension roll months from the date your submission is received.

REFERENCED DOCUMENTS: 

Sample Medicare Part B Premium Documentation

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the maximum standard Medicare Part B (Part B) premium for the 2018 calendar year.  The standard Part B premium will remain at $134.00 and will be effective January 1, 2018.  Action may be required of members whose current Part B reimbursement is less than $134.00.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has announced the maximum standard Medicare Part B (Part B) premium for the 2018 calendar year.  The standard Part B premium will remain at $134.00 and will be effective January 1, 2018.  Action may be required of members whose current Part B reimbursement is less than $134.00.

By the end of 2017, Social Security Administration (SSA) will send you a benefits verification statement for 2018.  That SSA statement will list your initial benefit amount and detail your Medicare enrollment.  For each part of Medicare in which you are enrolled, there is a corresponding amount that is deducted on a monthly basis, including your basic 2018 Part B premium. If you are not eligible to receive SSA benefits, CMS will send you a billing statement with your new Part B premium.  Part B premiums may range from $105.00 to $134.00.  Pensioners who have recently enrolled in Medicare Part B will be charged the standard 2018 monthly premium and will be reimbursed at the maximum amount of $134.00.  As a reminder, retired members and qualified survivors can receive reimbursement for their Part B premiums if they are eligible for a health subsidy and are enrolled in both Medicare Parts A and B. 

Reimbursements for your Part B premiums can be found on your pension check stub. If your current Part B reimbursement amount is different from your 2018 Part B premium, please submit a copy of your Social Security benefits verification statement, or CMS billing statement, as soon as it is available to LAFPP.  

Once your correct Part B reimbursement amount has been confirmed, changes will be reflected on the next available pension roll. If eligible, you may also be reimbursed retroactively up to 12 pension roll months from the date your documentation is received.  If you have specific questions about your current Part B reimbursement amount, please contact the Medical and Dental Benefits Section at (213) 279-3115 or toll free at (844) 88-LAFPP ext. 93115.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What document do I need to submit to receive my correct Part B reimbursement amount?

You may submit a copy of your SSA benefits verification statement (Form SSA-4926) or a copy of a current CMS billing statement (CMA 500).   

2.  My spouse (non-LAFPP member) is currently enrolled in Medicare Parts A and B.  Does he/she need to submit Medicare Part B premium documentation?

No, only the pensioner who is currently receiving a Medicare Part B premium reimbursement needs to submit documentation to LAFPP.

3.  I received a letter stating that I pay a higher Part B premium based on my income level (Income-Related Monthly Adjustment Amount, i.e. IRMAA). May I submit this letter as proof of my Part B premium?

Yes, you may submit a copy of the first page of the letter that contains your name, address and 2018 monthly Medicare Part B premium deduction to LAFPP Medical & Dental Benefits, however the maximum Part B reimbursement amount cannot exceed $134.00 per month.

4.   I receive a monthly Social Security payment, but I did not receive / cannot locate my “New Benefit Amount” Statement. What can I do?

You can access proof of your 2018 Medicare Part B basic premium online at the SSA website: https://www.ssa.gov/myaccount/. You may be required to create or register your SSA account.

5.   How do I submit proof of my Part B premium?

Please make a copy of your statement and send it attention to Medical and Dental Benefits Section via (1) Email to: mdbsection@lafpp.com; (2) Fax to (213) 628-7782 or (3) Mail to Department of Fire and Police Pensions, Attn: Medical & Dental Benefits, 701 E. 3rd Street, Suite 200, Los Angeles, CA 90013.

6.   When do I need to provide LAFPP documentation of my Part B Premium?

You may submit your documentation at any time during 2018 and receive a retroactive reimbursement of the balance of your 2018 basic Part B premiums for up to 12 pension roll months from the date your submission is received.