UPCOMING HOLIDAYS
Please note that our office will be closed on Thursday and Friday, November 25-26, 2021 for the Thanksgiving holiday. We will also be closed the week of December 27-31, 2021 for the Christmas holiday. There will be no weekly email sent out on Saturday, November 27 nor on Saturdays December 25th (Christmas day) and January 1st, 2022 (New Year’s Day).
We wish you all a happy and peaceful holiday season.
OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE AS A GRAND JUROR!
Every year the Superior Court of Orange County is required by law to empanel a 19-member Grand Jury to serve a one-year term. The Court is seeking qualified and capable individuals, like you, to serve the Orange County community in this unique role for the term that begins July 1, 2022. Click here to see the recruitment flyer.
This is a wonderful opportunity for O.C. retirees and REAOC members to get a behind-the-scenes look at the workings of local government agencies and recommend areas for improvement. The Grand Jury also decides on indictments for some criminal cases.
Detailed information and the application form are online. Click here to access their website. The Grand Jury meets at the Central Justice Center in Santa Ana. The Grand Jury Hotline number is: (657) -622-6747
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 NOVEMBER 15, 2021
California expected to see $31 billion budget surplus
The Mercury-News reports “California will have a $31 billion budget surplus next year as revenues continue to climb despite the pandemic, according to a new forecast from the state’s independent Legislative Analyst’s Office. The predicted surplus is so large the office estimates California will surge past a constitutional limit on state spending by more than $14 billion.” (Read More)
UCI starts construction on new hospital, specialty care centers in $1.3 billion project
On November 16 the Orange County Register reported “UC Irvine is breaking ground on a $1.3 billion medical complex on the northern edge of campus that will add a second full-service hospital to its Orange County health care offerings. Officials with the university and community leaders celebrated the start of construction during a late afternoon ceremony on Monday. The new medical center will be built on 202 acres across University Drive from the central campus. The first portion expected to be completed, in 2023, is the UCI Health Center for Advanced Care, a 168,000-square-foot facility that will house specialties for adults and children health, including a Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders.” (Read More)
Medicare Part B costs are soaring. Here’s what you’ll pay in 2022.
USA Today reported on Wednesday, November 17 “Millions of Americans get health coverage through Medicare once they turn 65. But one common myth about Medicare is that coverage under it is free. That’s not true in the slightest. Though Part A, which covers hospital care, is generally free for enrollees, Part B, which covers different types of preventive and outpatient care, charges participants a monthly premium.” And “This year, the standard monthly Medicare Part B premium costs seniors $148.50 a month. Next year, however, that standard premium is skyrocketing” And “the standard Part B premium is rising to $170.10 a month in 2022, higher earners will pay a lot more.” Also, “For years, Medicare premiums costs have risen at a much faster rate than Social Security COLAs, leaving seniors struggling to keep up.” (Read More)
Here’s why new COVID-19 anti-viral pills could be our “penicillin” moment
This Mercury-News story says “Until now, antiviral drug research has been a place of broken dreams and abandoned efforts, with few success stories to rival the miracle cures of antibiotics. But with the creation of pills to kill the COVID-19 virus, the field may be nearing its ‘penicillin moment’. Two new oral medicines made by Pfizer and Merck — convenient to take at home, for only five days — offer a remarkable 50% to 89% reduction in hospitalizations and deaths in high-risk people if given soon after infection takes hold, according to company data.” (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
The Mile Square Park Banquet Facility located at 10401 Warner Ave., Fountain Valley, California, 92708. For directions, call the Mile Square Banquet Facility at (714) 962-5541 or 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
Luncheons are held the 4th Wednesday of January, March, May and September, and on the first Wednesday of December at Noon. To ensure a parking spot please arrive by 11 a.m. Please carpool if possible as the parking lot at this facility can be quite busy.
Please Note: The Fountain Valley and Hemet luncheons have been cancelled. In light of the unknown facts and drivers surrounding the Coronavirus REAOC strongly believes caution is of utmost importance when it comes to the health of our membership. This is a challenging time for us all. Being mindful of recommendations by health experts to avoid crowds, the REAOC Board of Directors unanimously agreed that cancelling the upcoming luncheons is the most pro-active, appropriate action to take at this time. An update will be posted when we can once again hold our luncheons in both Fountain Valley and in Hemet.
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).
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 will hold its next luncheon on Tuesday, October 20th at 11:30 AM at the First Presbyterian Church.
Make your reservation for the next luncheon by calling Mary Little at 951-485-7738 or Jane Pabitzky at 951-237-3240 by no later than October 6, 2020.
MAP TO MILE SQUARE PARK
Below is a map showing the general location of the Mile Square Park Banquet Facility located at 10401 Warner Ave., Fountain Valley, California 92708.
If you need exact directions from your house you can go to MapQuest and click on “driving directions.”
HEALTH PLAN RATES FOR 2022
The County of Orange Board of Supervisors approved the new rates for the retiree health plans for 2022 at their meeting on July 13, 2021. 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)
HEALTH PLAN RATES FOR 2021
Please click on the links below for the charts provided by the County for the 2021 Health Plan rates:
Click here to see the Sharewell and Wellwise rates.
Click here to see the HMO and PPO rates.
Click here to contact the Orange County Employee Benefits Resource Center – My OC Benefits™
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
