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We are currently attempting to hire an insurance expert who can more simply and succinctly explain some of the expected changes in health care coverage to our current and retired members after the City's recent adoption of M.G.L Ch 32 B, sec 18A.
Per the 2007-2010 CBA
F. Adoption of M.G.L. Chapter 32B, S. 18A
i. The Union will support the adoption of Section 18A by the Boston City Council.
ii. Upon adoption by the Boston City Council, the City will meet with the union and bargain over the impact that the adoption will have on current members upon their retirement. The Union agrees that it will not require the City to bargain such impacts as part of a subsequent successor bargaining agreement even if the parties are already in negotiations for a successor bargaining agreement.
Below is Chapter 32B, Section 18.
PART I. ADMINISTRATION OF THE GOVERNMENT
TITLE IV. CIVIL SERVICE, RETIREMENTS AND PENSIONS
CHAPTER 32B. CONTRIBUTORY GROUP GENERAL OR BLANKET INSURANCE FOR PERSONS IN THE SERVICE OF COUNTIES, CITIES, TOWNS AND DISTRICTS, AND THEIR DEPENDENTS
Chapter 32B: Section 18. Medicare extension plans; mandatory transfer of retirees
Section 18. In a governmental unit which has accepted the provisions of section ten and which accepts the provisions of this section, all retirees, their spouses and dependents insured or eligible to be insured under this chapter, if enrolled in Medicare part A at no cost to the retiree, spouse or dependents or eligible for coverage thereunder at no cost to the retiree, spouse or dependents, shall be required to transfer to a Medicare extension plan offered by the governmental unit under section eleven C or section sixteen; provided, that benefits under said plan and Medicare part A and part B together shall be of comparable actuarial value to those under the retiree’s existing coverage. Each retiree shall provide the governmental unit, in such form as the governmental unit shall prescribe, such information as is necessary to transfer to a Medicare extension plan. If a retiree does not submit the information required, he shall no longer be eligible for his existing health coverage. The governmental unit may from time to time request from any retiree, a retiree’s spouse and dependents, proof certified by the federal government of their eligibility or ineligibility for Medicare part A and part B coverage. The governmental unit shall pay any Medicare part B premium penalty assessed by the federal government on said retirees, spouses and dependents as a result of enrollment in Medicare part B at the time of transfer into the Medicare health benefits supplement plan.
This section shall take effect in a county, except Worcester county, city, town or district upon its acceptance in the following manner:— In a county by vote of the county commissioners; in a city having a Plan D or Plan E charter by a majority vote of its city council; in any other city by vote of its city council, approved by the mayor; in a district, except as hereinafter provided, by vote of the registered voters of the district at a district meeting; in a regional school district by vote of the regional district school committee; and in a town either by vote of the town at a town meeting or, by a majority of affirmative votes cast in answer to the following question which shall be printed upon the official ballot to be used at an election of said town:— “Shall the town require that all retirees, their spouses and dependents who are enrolled in Medicare Part A at no cost to a retiree, their spouse or dependents, or eligible for coverage thereunder at no cost to a retiree, their spouse or dependents, be required to enroll in a Medicare health benefits supplement plan offered by the town?”.
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