Resources
*NY State budget link:
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ATTENTION! 2023-24 COLA increases
Eligible retirees to receive COLA increases: see link below for more info:
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FYI: From the Alliance for Retired Americans Friday
Alerts emails:
Health Care and Retirement News
“No Surprises Act” Law is Now in Effect to dispute unexpected medical bills. It was enacted January 1, 2022.
Thanks to the No Surprises Act, Americans are now protected from surprise medical billing.
You can sign up for these Friday Alerts by emailing the Alliance email address below.
aracommunications@retiredamericans.org
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**American Federation of Teachers links below:
Clear Captions phone info:
click link below:
Montauk Lighthouse
Fun things to do-Â link below:
**Medicare Questions?
Attention!
Fact Sheet: 1st 10 drugs selected for Medicare price negotiations.
click links below:
*ALERT:medicare recipients are strongly recommended to keep Original Medicare and NYSHIP. If you change you will not be able to change back. Do NOT be persuaded by Medicare Advantage or other ads.
NYSUT Mental Health: If you find that you are struggling with issues and want to talk to someone, call NYSUT Social Servics. They can make referrals as needed for our members and their families.
Contact: 1-800-342-9810, ext. 6206
email: socsvcs@nysutmail.org
NEW since Oct 2022: PEER SUPPORT LINE - available through NYSUT member benefits.
volunteers welcome
contact 844-444-0152 and the links below for more info
*WestburyUFSD-Health Benefits(IRMAA/Medicare)
(516)874-1809
Administrator: Brenda Benes
**Medicare eligible: must apply 3 months before 65 yrs. old. Those who are 65 yrs. old and not taking Social Security, must sign up for Medicare Part A.
What is IRMAA?
IRMAA is for those who pay more than the basic cost for Medicare because they earned above a certain income. It is assessed every year. IRMAA is based on your Modified Adjusted Gross Income (MAGI) from two years prior.
The 2023 IRMAA brackets are based on your MAGI from 2021. For 2023 it's income above $97,000 for individual income tax filers and $194,000 for married. Westbury automatically reimburses retiree Medicare recipients for the standard Medicare cost quarterly. If you are paying more than the standard amount as listed in your Verification of Benefits letter, you are assessed an IRMAA charge above the standard cost. To get reimbursed for this charge, you need to submit form SSA-1099 to Brenda Benes, Medical Benefits Administrator yearly. If you have not done this in the past, Westbury will reimburse looking back for up to 3 years.
NOTE: You must submit your Verification of Benefits letter YEARLY, when you receive it in January and, if you qualify for IRMMA, the SSA-1099 as well.
*NYSUT-retiree services: Claire Zatorski (516)496-2035
IRMAA REIMBURSEMENT INFORMATION
A question came up at the 12/23 holiday luncheon regarding IRMAA Reimbursement: When should a retiree send in the information to the Westbury School District’s Employee Benefits Office for IRMAA reimbursement?
Answer: The Employee Benefits office prefers to get the SSA-1099’s from the retiree by the end of February. This would enable the retiree to be reimbursed by late March/early April.
Any and all questions regarding Insurance, please contact:
Brenda Benes: Employee Benefits
Westbury UFSD, 2 Hitchcock Lane, Old Westbury, NY 11568
Phone: 1-516-874-1809 Email: bbenes@westburyschools.org
