Retired Public Employees Association

? While a majority of RPEA members are state retirees, 44% are not. The largest portion of that 44% comes from counties and school districts (non-teachers), followed by towns, cities, villages, and miscellaneous public benefit corporations (i.e. Port Authority, BOCES). So spread the word! RPEA represents ALL retirees. . Join RPEA online today: https://rpea.org/membership/join-renew-membership/join/

? While a majority of RPEA members are state retirees, 44% are not. The largest portion of that 44% comes from counties and school districts (non-teachers), followed by towns, cities, villages, and miscellaneous public benefit corporations (i.e. Port Authority, BOCES). So spread the word! RPEA represents ALL retirees. . Join RPEA online today: https://rpea.org/membership/join-renew-membership/join/

Seniors enrolled in traditional Medicare (60% of all enrollees) need to be aware that if your primary care provider signs up with a Direct Contracting Entity (DCE), you will automatically be moved to a for-profit insurance program, similar to a Medicare Advantage Plan. On January 1, 2023, this program will change its name to REACH (Realizing Equity, Access, and Community Health). You should be on the lookout for any letter from your care provider that conta...ins language such as providing more coordinated care and services or our practice is joining this new initiative to provide better quality care. Unlike traditional Medicare, where providers receive a set rate for services, DCE’s receive a capitation amount for each enrollee. DCE’s are allowed to keep up to 40% of whatever amount is left over, once medical services are paid. . You do not have to affirmatively authorize the change in coverage. If your primary health care provider joins this program, you and all their other patients, are automatically transferred into it. Once you are transferred, the only way to get back into traditional Medicare is to change providers. RPEA has contacted the members of the New York Congressional Delegation urging them to intercede with the Biden Administration to terminate this program (seven Representatives have already done so). Visit our website to learn more: https://rpea.org/medicare-alert-direct-contracting-entities/

*Update* Medicare Authorizes Free COVID-19 Test Kits The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) recently announced that effective immediately, Medicare recipients can receive up to 8 over-the-counter at-home COVID-19 test kits at no cost. The free test kits had already been available to the rest of the population covered by insurance, except those on Medicare. This is a victory for RPEA. We had reached out to the New York Congressional Delegation and Governor Kathy ...Hochul urging them to intercede with President Joe Biden to have CMS reverse its ill-conceived policy. RPEA noted that if any portion of the population is most at risk from the effects of COVID infection, it is senior citizens. The free test kits are available per calendar month. If you receive kits in April, you will be eligible to receive additional kits starting May 1. When picking up the kits, simply show your Medicare card, and the pharmacy will bill Medicare directly. National pharmacy chains participating in this initiative include: Alberstons Companies, Inc., Costco Pharmacy, CVS, Food Lion, Giant Food, The Giant Company, Hannaford Pharmacies, H-E-B Pharmacy, Hy-Vee Pharmacy, Kroger Family of Pharmacies, Rite Aid Corp., Stop & Shop, Walgreens, and Walmart. Check ahead of time if your local pharmacy is participating. This change in policy by CMS is another example of what the Retired Public Employees Association does for you. To see media coverage of RPEA’s action, visit our website: https://rpea.org/rpea-in-the-news-retired-public-workers-w/

*Second COVID-19 Booster Authorized* Following the lead of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), Governor Kathy Hochul recently announced the availability of a second Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 booster for all adults over the age of 50. You are eligible to receive the second booster at least 4 months after your first booster. The CDC reported that a second booster will prolong the vaccine’s durability, therefore maximizing your protection from the virus. The second booster i...s available at most pharmacies, local health department clinics, as well as state-run vaccination sites. It is recommended that you call ahead to schedule an appointment. There is no charge to receive the second booster. Like prior vaccinations, be prepared to stay 20-30 minutes to be monitored prior to departure from the facility. According to the CDC, the definition of fully vaccinated has not changed. A person is fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine, or two weeks after receiving the initial J&J vaccine. A person is considered up to date after receiving the recommended doses of the initial series of vaccinations, plus one booster. For those who are out of state, the CDC guidance is nationwide and your state health department has most likely issued similar guidance. Simply check with your pharmacy or health care provider. In addition to those of us over 50, the second booster was also authorized for others who are considered moderately to severely immunocompromised. More background on this recent announcement available via The New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com//new-york-hochul-second-boosters.h

RPEA responds to the Cold Spring Village Board, which stopped short of supporting the #NYHealthAct at a recent board meeting. RPEA Executive Director Edward Farrell said, "The Cold Spring Village Board is wise to tread cautiously regarding this legislation. There’s too much uncertainty and too many questions left unanswered. Our health and well-being are at stake, and that’s too big a risk to take." Read the full LTE on our website: https://rpea.org/letter-to-the-editor-in-highlands-current/ via The Highlands Current

Attention NYSLRS - New York State & Local Retirement System retirees your pension will not be subject to New York State or local income tax. New York doesn’t tax Social Security benefits, either. Did you know? You may also get a tax break on any distributions from retirement savings, such as deferred compensation, and benefits from a private-sector pension. Find out more through the New York State Department of Taxation and Finance by visiting https://tax.custhelp.com//ar...e-distributions-from-a-state-d Be aware that you could lose these tax breaks if you move out of New York. Many states tax pensions, and some tax Social Security. For information on tax laws in other states, you can visit our website at: https://rpea.org//retirement-informa/pension-tax-by-state/ Learn more about your taxes after retirement via NYSLRS: https://www.nyretirementnews.com/taxes-after-retirement/

Happy St. Patrick's Day from RPEA! www.rpea.org

Happy St. Patrick's Day from RPEA! www.rpea.org

In response to the decision to strike down NYC’s plan to pull a bait-and-switch on retirees, Retired Public Employees Association Executive Director Edward Farrell said, The judge’s ruling to halt a bait-and-switch, initially proposed by Mayor de Blasio and later endorsed by Mayor Eric Adams, is proof that the proposal was unjust from the start. It is disingenuous for the Mayor to break promises and betray the very people who dedicated their lives to keeping our communities ...healthy, educated, clean, and safe. The judge’s ruling that the City cannot charge people to stay in the old program, substantiates what retirees have been saying all along. Public employees work their entire careers with the promise and expectation that when they retire, their existing benefits will be preserved. Health benefits should not be diminished for those who have already retired, are on fixed incomes, and were promised the care they currently receive in retirement. RPEA is proud to have supported this court case. The full statement is available online. Visit our website to learn more and to join: https://rpea.org/statement-from-rpea-following-decision-to/

RPEA President Diana Hinchcliff was quoted in the The Altamont Enterprise & Albany County Post recently calling for a more efficient system to help retirees and other New Yorkers apply for COVID-19 vaccine appointments. Hinchcliff, referring to retirees over 65 said, "It is imperative that they be able to be vaccinated as soon as possible. New York needs a new vaccine distribution system." Read the full article here: https://altamontenterprise.com//governor-cuomo-pushes-rebu Learn more about RPEA's advocacy efforts by visiting: https://rpea.org/rpea-asks-governor-cuomo-for-better-vacci/

RPEA Executive Director Ed Farrell spoke with Nick Reisman from Capital Tonight about the importance of improving the current COVID-19 vaccine appointment system, and the recommendations RPEA shared in a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo last week. The story aired last night and you can learn more by clicking the below: https://spectrumlocalnews.com//a-retired-public-workers-gr

RPEA sent a letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo, NYSDOH - New York State Health Department Commissioner Zucker, and legislative leaders last Friday to propose a one-stop-shop, online database to help vaccinate New Yorkers more efficiently and effectively. Click below to learn more: https://rpea.org/rpea-asks-governor-cuomo-for-better-vacci/

RPEA President Diana Hinchcliff's letter to the editor ran in the Albany Times Union this week on Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli's pension fund decision. A victory for both state and local government retirees, and our climate. Read the full letter here: https://rpea.org/rpea-letter-to-the-editor-in-the-albany-t/

COVID Vaccine Breaking News State Changes Vaccine Scheduling Procedure Due to the overwhelming demand the state’s COVID-19 Vaccination website will be scheduling appointments at New York State-run vaccination site only. To determine eligibility please visit the Am I Eligible site at https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov/ or you can call the New York COVID-19 Vaccination Hotline at 1-833-697-4829.... The Governor’s office announced yesterday that vaccines are available at pharmacies, hospitals and through local health departments statewide. They urged those who would like to get the vaccine to please contact your local provider of choice to schedule your vaccine appointment as they will no longer be available online through the state’s COVID-19 Vaccination website. Beware of Scams It has come to our attention that unofficial websites are trying to schedule vaccine appointments. Be careful and make sure you know who you are dealing with. To register in New York State you do not have to provide your social security number. Members in others states should be aware of their state’s requirements.

COVID-19 Update Vaccination Demand is Excessive The announcement of the eligibility of those age 75+ on Monday, plus those 65+ yesterday, created an immediate surge of 5 million New Yorkers seeking the vaccine. With everyone trying to make an appointment at the same time, plus the limited amount of vaccine available, needless to say things are difficult. Some have been able to schedule an appointment 2-3 months out, while others have not been able to schedule an appointment a...t all. To help meet the demand, additional mass vaccination centers are opening this week, namely, SUNY Albany and Jones Beach in Nassau County. Sites opening next week are: Utica Memorial Auditorium, SUNY Stony Brook, SUNY Binghamton, Dome Arena near Rochester, Plattsburgh Airport, SUNY Potsdam, University of Buffalo South Campus, and Aqueduct Race Track in Queens. The State Fairgrounds in Syracuse, the Javits Center in Manhattan, and the Westchester County Convention Center in White Plains have already opened this week. In addition to the state operated facilities listed above, the City of New York is operating its own mass vaccination sites. All night vaccinations are now underway 24/7 at mega sites located at the Brooklyn Army Terminal in Sunset Park and the Bath Gate Contract Postal Station in the Bronx. You must either live or work in the city to use these facilities. Appointments are necessary, visit: https://vaccinefinder.nyc.gov/. Also, Citi Field will be a 24/7 mega site the week of January 25, and discussions are in the works for Yankee Stadium. In another announcement, those under the age of 65 with compromised immune systems are now also eligible for the vaccine. Those individuals will be added once such underlying conditions are formally defined. As was noted in an earlier e-mail, the vaccine will be distributed to the various regions of the state based upon population. The announcements of the past two days has created a groundswell of demand. The best way to get an appointment is to go to the New York State Department of Health website at: https://am-i-eligible.covid19vaccine.health.ny.gov//prescr and enter your information. Be sure to scroll down to see all the available options. Some locations are already booked through April. The system is not designed to keep your information. The Department of Health WILL NOT be contacting you based upon previously entered data. Patience and persistence is what is needed. As a final piece of information, when you actually receive the first shot of the vaccine, you will be given an appointment for the second shot. You will not have to go through the website again. RPEA will keep you updated on further developments.