Month: December 2019

MEDICARE PART B PREMIUM REIMBURSEMENT FOR 2020

Posted on by planeteria

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) has recently announced that the standard Part B monthly premium for the 2020 calendar year will increase to $144.60 on January 1, 2020. 

Eligible Retirees and Qualified Survivors – If your Medicare Part B premium has increased or if it differs from the reimbursement amount shown on your pension check statement, you can update your Part B reimbursement amount by submitting a copy of your:

  • Social Security New Benefit Amount for 2020 or
  • next Medicare Billing Statement

Please send all documentation to the Medical and Dental Benefits Section via:

  1. Email to: mdb@lafpp.com
  2. Fax to: (213) 628-7782
  3. Mail to: Department of Fire and Police Pensions, Attn: Medical and Dental Benefits, 701 E. Third St., Ste 200, Los Angeles, CA 90013

Due to the anticipated high volume of submissions, it may take two to three months after receipt of valid Part B documentation for your new reimbursement amount to be reflected in your pension check. 

As a reminder, Part B reimbursement only applies to Retirees or Qualified Survivors who are eligible for an LAFPP health subsidy and are enrolled in both Medicare Parts A and B. Any additional fees required by CMS are not eligible for reimbursement.

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. How do I know if I am eligible for Part B reimbursement?

You must be a retired member or qualified survivor who is receiving a pension and enrolled in both Medicare Parts A and B.

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

You may submit a copy of your Social Security benefits verification statement (Your “New Benefit Amount”) or a copy of your 2020 CMS billing statement.    

3.  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 member or a Qualified Surviving Spouse/Domestic Partner enrolled in Parts A and B is eligible for Medicare Part B premium reimbursement.

4.  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 your IRMAA letter as long as it contains your name, address, and 2020 monthly Medicare Part B premium deduction.  LAFPP does not reimburse IRMAA fees, so the Part B reimbursement will not exceed $144.60 per month.

5.   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 call or visit your local Social Security Administration (SSA) office.  You can also access proof of your 2020 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.

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

You may submit your documentation at any time during 2020 and receive a retroactive reimbursement for up to 12 pension roll months from the date your submission is received.

ELECTION – POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE MEMBER BOARD OF FIRE AND POLICE PENSION COMMISSIONERS

Posted on by planeteria

The current term for the Police Department Employee Member of the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners will end on June 30, 2020.  The Office of the City Clerk, in conjunction with the Department of Fire and Police Pensions, is scheduled to conduct an Election on Tuesday, March 17, 2020, to fill that position. All active, sworn members of the Police Department are encouraged to participate. The candidate elected will serve a five-year term that begins July 1, 2020 and ends June 30, 2025.

BOARD MEMBER DUTIES – The Board exercises the prudent person standard in the discharge of its duties.  It has sole and exclusive fiduciary responsibility to administer the Fire and Police Pension System (System) and its assets; has the authority to set and adopt investment policies for over $23 billion in fund assets; and has the duty to establish actuarial assumptions and adopt rules and regulations necessary to properly fund and administer the System.

Preparation for regular and special meetings requires a Commissioner to commit several hours of advance reading of Board Reports and disability cases.  The Board normally meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 8:30 a.m.  The duration of most meetings is from two to four hours.

CANDIDATE PROCESS – Only active, sworn Los Angeles Police Department members of the System are eligible to run and vote for this Board seat. Members who wish to qualify for the ballot are required to complete and submit the following documents to the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division, 555 Ramirez Street, Space 300, Los Angeles, CA 90012: 1) Notice of Intent to run for office; 2) Occupational Ballot Designation (Optional); and 3) Statement of Qualifications for office (Optional). The Office of the City Clerk will mail these documents beginning on Friday, January 17, 2020, to all eligible members with further instructions.  Candidates who wish to hand deliver their completed Notice of Intent may do so beginning on Wednesday, January 22, 2020, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The Notice of Intent must be received by mail or in person by the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, January 31, 2020. 

VOTING PROCESS – After the candidates are determined, ballots will be mailed to eligible voters beginning on Friday, February 21, 2020.  Voters who wish to submit their ballots in person may do so beginning Friday, March 6, 2020.  To be counted all completed ballots must be received by mail or in person by the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.  The ballots will be tallied on Thursday, March 19, 2020 in the presence of the observers designated by each candidate. 

QUESTIONS – Inquiries regarding the election process may be directed to the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division at (213) 978-0440 or the Administrative Services Section of the Department of Fire and Police Pensions at (213) 279-3080.

ELECTION – FIRE DEPARTMENT RETIRED MEMBER BOARD OF FIRE AND POLICE PENSION COMMISSIONERS

Posted on by planeteria

The current term for the Fire Department Retired Member of the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners will end on June 30, 2020.  The Office of the City Clerk, in conjunction with the Department of Fire and Police Pensions, is scheduled to conduct an Election on Tuesday, March 31, 2020, to fill that position. All retired, sworn members of the Fire Department are encouraged to participate. The candidate elected will serve a five-year term that begins July 1, 2020 and ends June 30, 2025.

BOARD MEMBER DUTIES – The Board exercises the prudent person standard in the discharge of its duties.  It has sole and exclusive fiduciary responsibility to administer the Fire and Police Pension System (System) and its assets; has the authority to set and adopt investment policies for over $23 billion in fund assets; and has the duty to establish actuarial assumptions and adopt rules and regulations necessary to properly fund and administer the System.

Preparation for regular and special meetings requires a Commissioner to commit several hours of advance reading of Board Reports and disability cases.  The Board normally meets on the first and third Thursdays of the month at 8:30 a.m.  The duration of most meetings is from two to four hours.

CANDIDATE PROCESS – Only retired, sworn Los Angeles Fire Department members of the System are eligible to run and vote for this Board seat. Members who wish to qualify for the ballot are required to complete and submit the following documents to the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division, 555 Ramirez Street, Space 300, Los Angeles, CA 90012: 1) Notice of Intent to run for office; 2) Occupational Ballot Designation (Optional); and 3) Statement of Qualifications for office (Optional). The Office of the City Clerk will mail these documents beginning on Friday, January 31, 2020, to all eligible members with further instructions.  Candidates who wish to hand deliver their completed Notice of Intent may do so beginning on Wednesday, February 5, 2020, between the hours of 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. The Notice of Intent must be received by mail or in person by the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, February 14, 2020. 

VOTING PROCESS – After the candidates are determined, ballots will be mailed to eligible voters beginning on Friday, March 6, 2020.  Voters who wish to submit their ballots in person may do so beginning Thursday, March 19, 2020.  To be counted all completed ballots must be received by mail or in person by the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division by 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, March 31, 2020.  The ballots will be tallied on Thursday, April 2, 2020 in the presence of the observers designated by each candidate. 

QUESTIONS – Inquiries regarding the election process may be directed to the Office of the City Clerk – Election Division at (213) 978-0440 or the Administrative Services Section of the Department of Fire and Police Pensions at (213) 279-3080.