retiree health care

Retiree health committee suggestion No. 1: No Medicare Advantage

Betsy PriceGovernment, Headlines

After nearly facing a revolt of retirees angered by the state’s move to substantially alter their health care, a committee has issued more than a dozen recommendations designed to keep them — and the state’s coffers — healthy. One of the recommendations made by the Retiree Healthcare Benefits Advisory Subcommittee — which met 20 times over nine months — was …

Insurance and prescription costs are going up for state retirees. (National Cancer Institute)

State retirees on Medicare to pay 5% more for Medicfill plan

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

People who have retired from the state of Delaware and are now on Medicare will pay 5% more for the state’s special Medicfill insurance plan, a committee decided on Monday. The change starts Jan. 1. The State Employee Benefits Committee had voted in March to increase premiums 9.4% for those on the group health insurance plan but not on Medicare. …

Rise 4

Court halts state switch to Medicare Advantage

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The state’s plan to transition state government retirees’ health insurance from original Medicare to a privately-managed Medicare Advantage plan has been temporarily blocked.Ā  A Delaware Superior Court judge on Wednesday ordered the state to halt implementation of the plan until the case is fully adjudicated.Ā  The court will schedule a trial to make a final determination on the fate of …

Thursday, June 9, 2022

Legislature to reconvene to tackle Medicare Advantage

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

In response to protests by state government retirees who say they were left in the dark over a significant change to their health insurance, the General Assembly unveiled a bill Monday aimed at creating additional oversight. The House of Representatives and Senate will hold a special session in Dover on Oct. 26 to debate and vote on the bill. Pensioners …

Medicare Advantage Kowalko

State retirees sue to stop Medicare Advantage plan

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A group of Delaware state government retirees and pensioners has filed suit against two government officials tasked with implementing a change in their health insurance coverage. RISE Delaware, an organization formed after state officials announced a plan to transition retirees to a Medicare Advantage program, filed the lawsuit in the Delaware Superior Court. RISE hopes to stop the transition to …

Medical

Medical privacy bill threatens parental rights, GOP reps say

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

All 15 Republican state representatives have taken a stand against a bill they say is designed to usurp parental authority. House Bill 400, sponsored by Rep. Krista Griffith, D-Fairfax, would allow dependents on insurance policies – adults and children – to receive ā€œconfidential sensitive health care servicesā€ without notifying the policyholder. The bill has been dubbed the ā€œDelaware Patient Privacy …

Bill to give undocumented kids free health insurance moves forward

Charlie MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware could soon guarantee health insurance for undocumented children if a bill released from committee Wednesday passes in the General Assembly. House Bill 317, sponsored by Rep. Krista Griffith, D-Fairfax, would require the Department of Health and Social Services to develop and operate a medical coverage program for children who are not eligible for either Medicaid or CHIP because of …