Prescription Plan and Medicare Updates
(Maryland State Employees)
2025 Maryland Prescription Bill HB 356
March 6, 2025
The 2025 State of Maryland Medicare eligible retirees Prescription Plan Bill (HB356) has been reintroduced by Delegate Grammer again this year. The Bill is scheduled to be heard before the House Appropriations Committee March 12, 2025 at 1300hrs. The reality is, given the current state of Maryland’s economy, along with the fiscal note that would come with the Bill, it will most likely fail once again. That being said this is an excellent opportunity to still make YOUR voices heard.
I would strongly encourage any member who has been negatively impacted by the new Medicare Part D program to contact not only your local representatives but reach out to committee members now, and share your experiences. You also have the right to submit written and oral testimony to the committee. If you are unable to make it to Annapolis on the 12th, I would encourage you to submit written testimony and detail your experiences to date and any hardships that you have encountered. It may garner enough attention to encourage the State to give us the same $2000.00 that we received in 2025.
This is an opportunity to keep the topic in front of our representatives. We are grateful to Del Grammer to sponsor the Bill again this year. Because this is not just an MSPAA or MTA problem, I am coordinating with other State retiree group representatives in an effort to coordinate a more unified approach. I am hoping that given a strong enough response, we can at least gain enough interest to move forward in the future and have the negative impact of the current law studied by committee.
As I have mentioned in past updates, we still have much work to do. We will be sending out surveys in the Spring in an attempt to collect enough data to measure the true impact of the new Medicare Part D program. We hope to use your responses to encourage Annapolis to revisit our prescription program and provide appropriate relief to those impacted the hardest.
This is a complicated process and a true work in progress. Some of you have been hit harder and struggled more than others. I have read many of the posts on list serve voicing your frustrations and concern. I would encourage you to call or private email me to discuss individual issues. If you are having a problem or have a question, please reach out! There are a number of strategies available to assist our membership but most are better served by discussing over the phone rather than by email or text messages.
Don McCord410-925-8844
rxhelp@mspaa.org
Part D Update
February 5, 2025
I just wanted to provide a quick update from my recent meeting with DBM and Via Benefits (VB). We are now in the operational phase of the conversion to Medicare Part D. Approximately 49,000 retirees had signed up for Part D coverage as of 12/31/24, with an additional 1,100 retirees enrolling after Jan 1, 2025. There are still approximately 3,900 eligible retirees from the special 90 day enrollment period, ending the 12/31/24, that have not enrolled. Via Benefits is committed to continuing their efforts to reach out to these retirees up until the end of this month. Anyone who fails to enroll within this grace period may lose their opportunity for 2025.
I was also given the opportunity to share suggestions and concerns that many of you have expressed to me throughout this process. Your comments and concerns were well received and echoed by other employee groups. Both DBM and VB have committed to updating their educational materials and processes to eliminate any confusion in the transition process wherever they can.
A significant number of individuals have reached out to me with various concerns regarding how and when to use the HRA. I have also shared these concerns with the DBM/VB team. They have agreed to revisit their educational material and attempt to adjust their message to remove some of the confusion. Retirees can look for updates on the DBM and VB websites for more information.
In the interim, call me if you have any questions or concerns on how or when to use the HRA or how to maximize the monies that are being provided for you. We are not used to meeting deductibles and balancing out of pocket expenses or the federally mandated caps on out of pocket expenses. This has been very confusing for many of our members and quite frankly, too complicated most times to address in an email or text message.
Moving forward in the months ahead, we will send out surveys in an attempt to determine the true impact this has had on our membership. Some have unfortunately been more impacted than others. We will do our best to identify those areas and seek relief through legislation, if necessary, where we can.
I will continue to keep you updated as additional information presents itself or becomes available.
Don McCord410-925-8844
rxhelp@mspaa.org
HRA IMPORTANT REMINDER
December 29, 2024
As Via Benefits is actively distributing the State sponsored HRA cards, it is important to remember that Via Benefits manages a number of Medicare related programs and accounts. The State of Maryland account is just one of many. As such, when you receive your cards and literature explaining card usage, there is a tremendous amount of generic information. Some of this information is confusing and may be misleading. Buried within this information is a sentence that reads “These expenses may vary based on the type of accounts you are offered”.
The State of Maryland program, which we all fall under, is very specific. Our HRA cards may only be used for Medicare Eligible Prescriptions Only! These cards may not be used for any other healthcare related co-pays including but not limited to doctor visits, dental care, vision care including eyeglasses/contact lenses.
Your debit cards will contain a toll free number to activate your account. For those members with a spouse/beneficiary, you must activate each card separately. You are encouraged to keep your PIN is a safe place as you may need it when purchasing your prescriptions. I hope this clears up any remaining confusion with this latest round of literature from Via Benefits as this program kicks off in a few days.
As always, call me or private email me for any individual concerns.
Don McCord410-925-8844
rxhelp@mspaa.org
Medicare Part D – What Retirees Need to Know by DBM Health Benefits Division
October 6, 2024
The Maryland Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Health Benefits Division has posted a video to their website entitled, “What Retirees Need to Know.” Just click on the link or copy and paste it into your browser to view the video. The video is almost forty-five minutes long, so make sure you set aside enough time to view it in its entirety. If you have additional questions, please contact a representative from Via Benefits, the State’s Medicare Part D partner by telephone at 1-855-556-4419.
https://player.vimeo.com/video/1005978201
The State of Maryland transition of all Medicare eligible retirees, to Medicare Part D, facilitated by Via Benefits, is now in full force and actively taking place. Failure to sign up for prescription coverage could lead to catastrophic financial consequences.
To that end, I have been advised the in-person meeting are informative and being well received, but not as well attended as DBM had hoped or anticipated. I would strongly encourage all our retirees and surviving spouses to take advantage of all the resources at your disposal to make an informed decision that will be in your individual best interest. In addition to the video Holly Barrett mentioned in her message, DBM has also posted the dates of the in-person meetings taking place around the State. While DBM would encourage you to sign up online for a meeting, it is not a requirement to attend.
For those who have already looked at the vendors on the Via website awaiting your meeting, you will see a Silver Script program offered by Aetna. I would advise caution in your decision making as this is not the same program that is currently being offered to State retirees in 2024. You will not necessarily benefit from paying more for your insurance, when there may be an equally sufficient program for less money. At the end of the day, it is your money and your decision as to how you spend it. The Via Benefit Counselors get paid by the hour, not based on who you select as your insurance carrier.
As always, don’t hesitate to reach out for any questions, concerns or assistance, that I can provide. I will be attending the Alumni Association retreat October 13-16, 2024, in Ocean City. Time has been set aside to discuss the Part D transition efforts and offer any additional guidance or information available. Hope to see you there.
Don McCord
410-925-8844
Retirees that have not reached 65
May 14, 2024
We have had some inquiries from the retirees that have not reached 65. These are the facts pertaining to those persons.
Non-Medicare retirees will stay on the current prescription plan. No change until the month they turn 65.
If an individual reaches 65 on June 9th, they need to be enrolled in Medicare A, B and D as of June 1.
The basics are in the 2024 Benefits Guide. A new 2025 Benefits Guide will provide updated information.
DEPARTMENT OF BUDGET AND MANAGEMENT
Health Benefits Website
Update – Prescription and Medicare Issues
May 1, 2024
As I am sure you are aware the 2024 Legislative Session ended without passage of our prescription bills. While this was extremely disappointing, our concerns were heard by our representatives on the committees and there is true bipartisan interest in addressing problems that are unique to the Maryland State Police.
As a result of surveys that were sent out earlier this year, we are beginning this process by initially focusing our efforts to ensure that no retiree/surviving spouse is experiencing out of pocket expenses for MEDICARE PART A. As a result of our collective testimony in Annapolis, the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) has enthusiastically joined us and are going through their data bases in an attempt to locate Medicare eligible retirees with Part A, out of pocket expenses. While they are not aware of any retirees with Part A out of pocket expenses, they have identified 106 retirees and 2 surviving spouses that have been captured in their safety net whereby the State of Maryland covers their Part A shortfalls. Members that we identified with Part A coverage expenses thus far, have all had their issues addressed and rectified.
Moving forward, we must make a concentrated effort to reach out through email, message boards, social media and word of mouth, to ensure our older retirees and surviving spouses have the benefit coverage they are entitled to with minimal out of pocket expenses. This is a priority especially as we begin our transition to Medicare Part D. Our goal is to attend as many of the regional retiree breakfast meetings and lodge meetings as we can, to provide an open forum for discussion on the Medicare and Social Security Topics. We will reach out to regional coordinators and notify you when we will be at your breakfast/lodge meeting to get as many folks out and informed as possible. If you are aware of or suspect that someone has PART A expenses, have them contact DBM immediately (contact information listed below.
Of further interest and note, we were advised by DBM they are in the process of hiring counselors to assist in the transition to Medicare Part D. While the office of DBM will be sending out more information in the future, it is their plan for the counselors to contact Medicare eligible retirees and individually review the retiree’s prescription list, and enroll them in the Part D that best suits the retirees’ needs. This will most likely not be a perfect process. As we head into these uncertain times, there will certainly be fear and trepidation on all of our parts. We are all in this together and together we will get through it. The MSPAA and MTA are united and committed to assisting our retirees and surviving spouses through these uncertain times.
As we move forward, Don McCord will continue to lead our efforts on behalf of the Alumni Association and Rick Norman will be coordinating efforts on behalf of the MTA. Please contact them with any questions or concerns and to schedule meetings within your region or lodge.
Contacts for Assistance
Maryland State Police Alumni AssociationDon McCord
ph. 410-925-8844
Email: djmccord@comcast.net
Maryland Troopers Association
Rick Norman
ph. 1-800-TROOPER
ph. 1-800-876-6737
Email: director@mdtroopers.org
Department of Budget Management
Christina Kuminski (Director Employee Benefits Division)
ph. 410-767-4787
Email: Christina.Kuminski@maryland.gov
Next Steps – Prescription and Medicare Issues
March 22, 2024
As many of you are aware, we have been engaged in an uphill battle to restore prescription benefits to Medicare eligible retirees. While neither the Senate or House bills made it out of committee this year, it does not mean the fight is over. We will continue our efforts to restore retiree benefits by working closely with the MTA and other State retiree groups by collecting real time data demonstrating the true impact of the State’s actions and reintroducing new legislation.
As part of our efforts to date, we discovered a number of retired Troopers paying out of pocket for Medicare Part A. This is most unfortunate and we are working to fix this oversight and need your help. If you were a sworn member or surviving spouse (or know someone in this category that is not a member), paying out of pocket for Medicare Part A, we need to hear from you by June 1, 2024.
Don McCord will be leading our efforts and can be contacted directly at 410-925-8844 orEmail: djmccord@comcast.net
Don will need the following information:
Name
Years Served
Amount paid for Part A (and how long you have been paying out of pocket)
Current email with call back telephone number.
While the current focus is Medicare Part A at this time feel free to contact Don if you have already transitioned to Medicare Part D and wish to share that information also. We may be able to use any Part D information to help other retirees as we all move forward together into this relatively unchartered territory.
Jeannie Mastronardi
President, Maryland State Police Alumni Association
Other Prescription Plan Resources
The University of Maryland Emeritus/Emerita Association
Video & Resources – Panel Discussion: MD State Employees & Retirees’ Prescription Plan Changes
Maryland State Government Retirees & Employees (facebook)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MdSGR
Bring Back Prescription Benefits for State of Maryland Retirees (facebook)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/238150303628330/
Page updated: February 6, 2025 @ 1630 hours.