REGARDING THE VCCCDRA ZOOM MEETING ON CALPERS LONG TERM CARE
THE ZOOM MEETING THAT THE VCCCDRA CONTEMPLATED HAVING TO DISCUSS THE CALPERS LONG TERM CARE OPTIONS WILL NOT TAKE PLACE. WE HAVE ESSENTIALLY RUN OUT OF TIME. WE JUST NOW, THIS WEEK, RECEIVED THE LETTER FROM CALPERS SPELLING OUT THE OPTIONS, AND THE FORMS HAVE TO BE RETURNED TO ST PAUL, MN BY AUGUST 26 IF YOU DECIDE ON AN OPTION OTHER THAN WHAT YOU HAVE NOW. IF YOU WANT TO KEEP WHAT YOU HAVE NOW, YOU NEED NOT TAKE ANY ACTION. THE PLAN CHANGE WILL TAKE EFFECT ON NOVEMBER 1, 2021.
HICAP (see below) FROM THE VENTURA COUNTY AREA AGENCY ON AGING RECOMMENDED AGAINST HAVING SUCH A ZOOM MEETING BECAUSE OF LIABILITY RISKS FOR THE VCCCDRA. ANY RETIREE WALKING AWAY FROM SUCH A MEETING THINKING THAT THE VCCCDRA WAS RECOMMENDING ANY PARTICULAR COURSE OF ACTION COULD HOLD THE VCCCDRA RESPONSIBLE.
HICAP DID RECOMMEND INVITING SOMEONE FROM THE CALPERS LONG TERM CARE PROGRAM TO COME TO SUCH A ZOOM MEETING TO ANSWER QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OPTIONS, WHICH DIANE MOORE DID, BUT THEY REFUSED THE INVITATION.
FOR THOSE OF US ON THE CALPERS LONG TERM CARE PROGRAM, THIS IS A HIGHLY PERSONAL DECISION THAT EACH ONE OF OUR FAMILIES WILL HAVE TO MAKE. HICAP RECOMMENDED THAT I INFORM RETIREES TO FEEL FREE TO CALL HICAP (see below) TO MAKE A COUNSELING APPOINTMENT REGARDING LONG TERM CARE QUESTIONS THAT YOU MAY HAVE. IT MAY BE WORTH YOUR TIME TO CALL HICAP TO SEE IF THEY CAN ANSWER SOME OF THE QUESTIONS YOU HAVE RELATED TO THE OPTIONS THAT CALPERS IS PROPOSING. RETIREES WHO DO NOT LIVE IN VENTURA COUNTY I’M SURE CAN ALSO CALL HICAP, OR YOU MAY BE ABLE TO FIND A SIMILAR AGENCY NEAR YOU.
RENE G. RODRIGUEZ
Ventura County Area Agency on Aging
Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program (HICAP), 805-477-7310
The purpose of HICAP is to provide free unbiased counseling and community education on Medicare A, B, C, & D. HICAP completes comparisons on all products of C & D, retiree/employer Group vs. Medicare. HICAP resolves billing issues, and helps apply for appeals. HICAP’s speaker bureau gives presentations on Medicare 101, Prevention Services, Long Term Care, on all aspects of Medicare products, and on Medicare changes for the new year. HICAP gives advice regarding healthcare insurance options for those contemplating retirement.
-- Ventura County Community College District Retirees' Association www.vcccdra.org www.blog.vcccdra.org
