RETIREE'S PLEASE READ AND CLICK ON THE LINK:

2018 Retiree Healthcare Information

Medicare Eligible Retirees that were required to elect coverage last year.  We are aware that you all have received your Medicare premium renewals from both Aetna and BCBS (City Sponsored Plan).  After seeing the BCBS MAPD Option 1 premium increase and decrease in benefits (copays and out of pocket maximum), we are happy to see that the Local 2 Sponsored Plan with Aetna last year had proved to be a great benefit to our retired Medicare Eligible members and Spouses that were forced to find coverage.  It looks like the Aetna plan option 1 $100.00 per month cheaper BCBS renewal rates. That is an annual savings of $1200 per member or $2400 for member and spouse.  If anyone is interested in receiving information on the Local 2 Sponsored Aetna plan options they should call Labor First at (312) 248-6508 or (877) 660-7919.

Local 2 Non-Medicare Group Plan Options -   Re: Retired Members that are paying full premium for a Non-Medicare Retiree Plan

Local 2 has continued to work on a "Group" Non-Medicare alternative for you and your dependents. We are pleased to announce The Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 7 Chicago and I.A.F.F. Local 2 Chicago Firefighters have been able to secure plan alternatives structured to provide a benefit level that is consistent to the BCBS plans that you may currently participate in with the City of Chicago.  These plans are being administered by Labor First.  The same Administrator that we use for our Medicare Plans.  They can be reached at 312-467-7440 (M-F 8:00 a.m.- 4:00 p.m. CST).

Deadline for Enrollment is Wednesday, December 5, 2018.

PLAN OPTIONS 

The two plan options being offered by Aetna are both PPO's and will give you access to benefits at a lower monthly premium cost than the 2019 BCBS plans that you are currently enrolled in. One of the biggest differences, other than a lower premium cost, is access to providers and hospitals. Currently you must select the BCBS PPO (Option 1) if you use any of the major hospitals within the Chicago area. The BCBS Blue Choice Select (Option 2) does not give you access to the teaching hospitals or the Advocate system. Hospitals like Northwestern, Advocate Lutheran General or Advocate Christ Hospital. This ultimately forces you to select the more expensive BCBS PPO if you want to continue to see Doctors at these facilities.

The Aetna plans being offered have similar network limitations.

Option 1 is called Aetna Open Access Managed Choice POS - Illinois network. This plan has Aetna's largest National Network and it includes all the teaching hospitals and Advocate in the Chicago area.  

Option 2 is called Aetna Open Access Managed Choice POS - Illinois Savings Plus of Chicago network. This network is restricted to the Chicago area, but it includes Northwestern as well as the Advocate System In-Network.

Please look up your providers prior to deciding on a plan selection or call Labor First at 312-467-7440 and speak with a Retiree Advocate who can assist you in your selection.  Not every teaching hospital in the Chicago are in the Illinois Savings Plus of Chicago network, but it is larger and more inclusive than the BCBS Blue Choice Select network that you may have today.

Deadline for Enrollment is Wednesday, December 5, 2018. 

Below please find the Enrollment Guide and Forms:

2019 Retiree Non-Medicare Enrollment Guide

Non-Medicare Aetna PPO Enrollment Form

Non-Medicare Plan Option 1

Non-Medicare Plan Option 2

If you have any questions, please contact Mike O'Neill or Bill Oswald at Local 2 - 773-536-0450.

CFD FIREFIGHTER AND PARAMEDIC RETIREE MEMORIAL - What a perfect Christmas gift for your favorite retiree. If it's just one name or a whole family of CFD members, get their names on the Memorial!! Two new granite tablets will be added to the existing Memorial, located behind the Flame at the QFA, in the near future. It cost $225.00 for a retiree's name, $150.00 for a widow/er to place their spouses name on the Memorial. It is tax deductible, we are a 501C3.   See attached application for more information or call Doreen Chambers (773-842-3143) or Eileen O'Connell (773-844-2541).   Merry Christmas from the CFD Retiree Memorial Committee.   

Retiree Monument Form

Picture of Retiree Monument

IAFF Magazine Information - Please Read

Retiree Healthcare - February 2014

Sample Letter to Mayor re Korshak

City of Chicago - Retiree Healthcare Benefits Commission Report

Notice to Retirees - If you are approaching Medicare age (65), make sure you and your spouse get any dental work or eyeglasses before the first day of the month in which you turn 65.

You become Medicare eligible the first day of the month of your 65th birthday. Once you become Medicare eligible you lose your dental and vision coverage, and the City will not pay those bills. If you have any questions - 773-536-0450 x312.

For example: if you turn 65 on May 15, 2011, your dental and eyeglass work (including your spouse's) should be done by April 30th, 2011 in order for the City to cover it.

Important Information regarding DD Form 214 - Social Security Benefit

DD Form - 214 - Social Security Benefit - Good information for all Veterans who served on Active Duty between 1957 and 2001! Please share this with anyone who's had active duty service between January 1957 to December 31, 2001 and planning for retirement. In a nutshell it boils down to this: You qualify for a higher social security payment because of your Military service, for active duty any time from 1957 through 2001 (the program was done away with in January 2002). Up to $1200 per year of earnings credit credited at time of application - which can make a substantial difference in social security monthly payments upon your retirement.

YOU MUST BRING YOUR DD-214 TO THE SOCIAL SECURITY OFFICE AND YOU MUST ASK FOR THIS BENEFIT TO RECEIVE IT!! IT IS NOT AN AUTOMATIC BENEFIT, YOU MUST ASK FOR IT!!

Social Security website: http://www.ssa.gov/retire2/military.htm This is something to put in your files for when you apply for Social Security down the road.