REPORT ON AGING IN ORANGE COUNTY 2023
This report is presented by the Orange County Strategic Plan for Aging. It provides information about our aging population in the County. In 2022, 15.7% of Orange County residents were aged 65+, which equates to just under 500,000 older adults. In just a few decades’ time, Orange County residents aged 65 years and older are expected to represent nearly 25% of the county’s population. In fact, according to the 2022 Orange County Community Indicators Report, older adults are the only portion of the Orange County population expected to see expanded growth between now and the year 2060. Click here to read the full report and to see the Community Resource links available to our Orange County Seniors.
WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?
The Public Health Emergency for COVID-19 ends on May 11, 2023. What does this mean for you?
Medicare will continue to cover COVID-19 vaccines at no cost.
You’ll be able to get COVID-19 PCR and antigen tests with no out-of-pocket costs when ordered by a doctor.
Expanded telehealth services will continue through December 31, 2024.
Click Here for More Info
After May 11, 2023, Medicare will no longer cover or pay for over-the-counter (OTC) COVID-19 tests. If you’re enrolled in a Medicare Advantage Plan, you may have more access to tests depending on your benefits. Make sure to check with your plan.
Sincerely,
The Medicare Team, www.Medicare.gov
LUNCHEON REMINDER
Our luncheons are now held at the Elks Lodge located at 1751 South Elks Lane, Santa Ana, CA 92705. All the luncheons will provide a main dish, a salad with vegetables, rolls and dessert. Coffee, tea, and ice water will also be served.
The Elks Lodge is next to the OC Credit Union building on St. Andrews Place. The major cross streets are Grand Avenue and Edinger in Santa Ana. You will find plenty of parking spaces!
We hope to see you at our next luncheon on May 31, 2023!
HEALTH PLAN RATES FOR 2023
The County of Orange Board of Supervisors approved the new rates for the retiree health plans for 2023 at their meeting on July 19, 2022. The rate charts may be accessed below.
Click here for the PPO rate charts (Wellwise and Sharewell)
Click here for the HMO rate charts (Kaiser, Scan and Blue Cross)
The new rates for 2024 will be posted on the REAOC website when the County Board of Supervisors approves them.
MEDICARE SAVINGS PROGRAMS
If you or someone you know is having trouble paying for healthcare costs, there may be ways to save money on Medicare premiums and other costs. You can get help from your state paying your Medicare premiums. In some cases, Medicare Savings Programs may also pay Medicare Part A (Hospital Insurance) and Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) deductibles, coinsurance, and copayments if you meet certain conditions. Please click here for additional information.
The County of Orange Health Care Agency has continued to update their web site titled Covid-19 Vaccine Resources to keep the public informed. Please click here to read more.
REAOC BOARD OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
The REAOC Board will continue to meet on a monthly basis although we will follow the CDC guidelines and not meet in person. Our Board meetings will continue to be held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month and we will utilize the online Zoom platform. If you have any issues or questions you would like to have us discuss, please contact the REAOC office at (714) 840-3995.
WHEN YOUR CONTACT INFORMATION CHANGES
If you move, get a new or change your e-mail address or telephone or if you have a name change, there are actions that are necessary so that you continue to receive your benefits, newsletters, e-mails, etc.
If any of the above pertains to you, you need to notify REAOC, the Orange County Employees’ Retirement System (OCERS) and the County of Orange Employee Benefits Center with the new information.
To contact REAOC – call (714) 840-3995 or go to http://reaoc.org/email-us/ to e-mail the new/changed information.
To contact OCERS – call (714) 558-6200 or go to https://www.ocers.org to go to their website and sign-into “MyOCERS” to update your information.
To contact the County of Orange Employee Benefits Services Center – call (833) 476-2347 or to go to the benefits website by contacting My OC Benefits™ directly through IntraOC, or on the internet at mybenefits.ocgov.com.
NEWSLETTERS
Click here to read the latest Informer newsletter.
Click here to read the latest CRCEA Intercom newsletter.
NEWS WEEK OF MAY 22, 2023
Thousands of Ventura County retirees face pension cuts
The Ventura County Star reported on May 12 on what seems to be the ultimate impact of the 2012 California Public Employee Pension Reform Act (PEPRA) and delaying legal challenges to that act that resulted in a State Supreme Court decision in 2020. Known as the Alameda Decision: “Thousands of County of Ventura retirees may face pension cuts as local officials apply new rules to comply with a 2020 court decision. The list includes those who retired nearly a decade ago. Some may start getting smaller monthly payments in a matter of months. Before that happens, the Ventura County Employees’ Retirement Association says it will notify those affected about changes. The cuts are based on a California Supreme Court decision that says some compensation should not be counted toward an employee’s pension. (Read More)
Orange County’s older population growing faster than data about their needs
A front-page story in the Orange County Register on May 22 began with: “How many local seniors go hungry? How many need dementia care? Who could use a friend? The 2023 “Report on Aging” offers more questions than answers. – – – – – A new report on the status of older people in Orange County reaches sweeping findings about problems such as hunger (tens of thousands of local seniors need food assistance), dementia (its prevalence is growing) and even loneliness (a hidden but important problem), but it offers just two specific conclusions. First, the county’s older population is growing quickly” (Editor’s Note: Unfortunately, the rest of the story got obliterated on my computer by the sudden appearance of a pay wall.) (Read More)
Seniors are flooding homeless shelters that can’t care for them
The Washington Post reported: “Nearly a quarter of a million people 55 or older are estimated by the government to have been homeless in the United States during at least part of 2019, the most recent reliable federal count available. They represent a particularly vulnerable segment of the 70 million Americans born after World War II known as the baby boom generation, the youngest of whom turn 59 this year.” (Read More).
Want to buy a Southern California house? You need $178,400 annual income, by this math.
Columnist Jonathan Lansner writes in the LA Daily News: “A Southern California house hunter theoretically needs a $178,400 income to qualify to buy the region’s median-priced home – a requirement that grew 22% in a year.- – – – – These stats strongly suggest that if you thirst for affordability, move away from the coast! But even those savings are shrinking.” (Read More)
State Farm halts new property insurance policies in California
The Los Angeles Daily News reported this one: “The company cited rising construction costs and it’s rapidly growing catastrophe exposure.” (Read More)
US Surgeon General warns social media may be hazardous to teen health
In a new advisory, Dr. Vivek Murthy said there are indicators that social media can create a ‘profound risk of harm’ to children and teenager’s mental health. (Read More)
ABOUT OUR LUNCHEONS
WHY
REAOC luncheons are held for the purpose of bringing Orange County retirees together for an afternoon of camaraderie, entertainment, and information. Friends and family are always welcome! Each luncheon features a different theme, with door prizes, and special gifts. As an added bonus, there is a valuable Progressive Drawing. They also serve as a general meeting for the membership.
WHERE
Please note that we have a new venue for our REAOC luncheons. We will hold our luncheons at the new Elks Lodge in Santa Ana! The Elks Lodge is located at 1751 South Elks Lane, Santa Ana, CA 92705. All the luncheons will provide a main dish, a salad with vegetables, rolls and dessert. Coffee, tea, and ice water will also be served.
The Elks Lodge is right next to the OC Credit Union building on St. Andrews Place. You will find plenty of parking spaces! Attend and have fun visiting with your friends and guests at the Elks Lodge. Please see your upcoming Informer newsletter for additional information.
For directions, see map below showing where the Facility is located. Please DO NOT call the Facility to make reservations. Reservations are made by sending in the reservation form in The Informer or by calling the REAOC office at (714) 840-3995.
WHEN
For 2023, the luncheons will be held on Wednesdays on the dates listed below:
January 25, 2023
March 15, 2023
May 31, 2023
September 27, 2023
December 6, 2023
To ensure a parking spot please arrive by 11 a.m. Please carpool if possible.
We hope to see you at the REAOC luncheon!
Cost for the luncheon is $17.00 per person. A reservation form is provided in The Informer (on the current Luncheon page), in the “Forms” section of the REAOC web site or you may email the REAOC office of your request (reaoc@reaoc.org). Reservations for the May 31, 2023 luncheon must be received by no later than May 24, 2023.
HEMET CHAPTER LUNCHEONS
Luncheons in Hemet have been traditionally held on the second Tuesday during the months of February, April, June, October and December. Attendees arrive around 11:30 a.m. at the First Presbyterian Church in the Fellowship Hall located at 515 E. Kimball Avenue in Hemet and lunch is served between 11:45 and noon. The cost is $9.50 per person. The Hemet Chapter would like new members and encourages all REAOC members who live in the area or within driving distance to join them for the luncheons.
REAOC’s Hemet Chapter have not yet been scheduled for 2022. We hope to once again meet in 2023.
HEALTH PLAN RATES FOR 2023
The County of Orange Board of Supervisors approved the new rates for the retiree health plans for 2023 at their meeting on July 19, 2022. The rate charts may be seen below.
Click here for the PPO rate charts (Wellwise and Sharewell)
Click here for the HMO rate charts (Kaiser, Scan and Blue Cross)
THE EMPLOYEE BENEFITS RESOURCE LINE – MY OC BENEFITS™
Call the My OC Benefits™ Line toll-free at (833) 476-2347 or they may be reached at mybenefits.ocgov.com
SUPPLEMENTAL INSURANCE BENEFITS
For information about the supplemental insurance including dental and vision coverage, please click on the link below.
Supplemental Insurance Benefits
