HELP FIGHT MEDICARE FRAUD

Unfortunately, in times of emergencies, con artists may try to get your Medicare Number or personal information so they can steal your identity and commit Medicare fraud. Medicare fraud results in higher health care costs and taxes for everyone.

Protect yourself from Medicare fraud – Guard your Medicare card like it’s a credit card. 

Check regularly for Medicare billing fraud – Review your Medicare claims and Medicare Summary Notices for any services billed to your Medicare Number you don’t recognize.

Report anything suspicious to Medicare – If you suspect fraud, call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Medicare.gov is the official US Government site for Medicare.  Click on this link to see more information regarding Medicare and how to protect yourself from Medicare fraud.

REAOC BOARD OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

The REAOC Board will still 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.

NEWS WEEK OF AUGUST 3, 2020

CalPERS CIO with suspected ties to China suddenly resigns 

This Sacramento Bee is but one headline grabbing story that appeared in numerous newspapers, including the Wall Street Journal, announcing that CalPERS Chief Investment Officer Yu Ben Meng resigned on Wednesday. The story describes problems with his financial interest disclosure documents and federal concern about him guiding CalPERS investments to Chinese markets and says he had been in the job less than 2 years.  It also says, “Right-wing media outlets went so far as to accuse Meng of being a Chinese spy.” (More)

Some states pulling back on pension payments

States that have poorly managed their pension funds (think Illinois, Kentucky, New Jersey), frequently have either made inadequate annual payments into their pension fund or made none at all choosing to spend state money on “other priorities.”  Now with the economy sinking more states are doing the same as reported in a webinar article provided by Bloomberg News. (More)

CalPERS got 10,000 calls about retirement as California leaders talked about pay cuts

 The State Worker column of the Sacramento Bee reports that “A surge of California public workers called CalPERS to check their retirement options as Gov. Gavin Newsom and the state Legislature talked about pay cuts last month, according to call data.” (More)

Editorial – Court again punts on pension reform

 Following the California Supreme Court’s decision on an Alameda County pension spiking case  (More) numerous newspapers and pension reform advocates whined that the court, by declining to use the case as a pry bar to open up the issue of the California Rule, missed a great opportunity to alter or nullify that pension protecting series of court decisions collectively referred to as the California Rule.  Not to be left in the dust, the Orange County Register on Sunday, August 2, ran an editorial joining that chorus by the pension reform crowd. (More)

Pension fund investments soar in second quarter

 Remember when the economy sunk big time in March and April and the pension reformer crowd, including certain state elected legislators, began beating the drum again for pension reform, saying that the drop in the stock market that took pension fund investments proves that defined benefit pension plans are not sustainable?  Well, guess what – the Wall Street Journal reports that almost all the pension fund losses in March and April are gone, having been replaced by a roaring stock market along with some prudent investment decisions by many public sector retirement plans again proving the attention span of the reform crowd is quite short. (Unfortunately, a subscription is required to read the Wall Street Journal on-line.) (More)

OC Workers confront coronavirus uncertainty

 The Voice of OC ran this story that describes the anxiety of workers in county government, with a focus on the Social Services Agency, as well as the challenges facing SSA and county management in the need to serve the public while trying to take all steps possible to protect county employees.  Not an easy task. (More)

New normal for seniors after the pandemic

 A Kaiser Health News article forecasts a changed world ahead, especially for seniors.  “Experts say that in the aftermath of the pandemic, everything will change, from the way older folks receive health care to how they travel and shop. Also overturned: their work life and relationships with one another.” (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.

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.

Please Note:  The April 21 and June 16 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.

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.

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.”

NEW HEALTH PLAN RATES FOR 2021

On Tuesday, July 14, 2020, the County of Orange Board of Supervisors approved the new health care rates for retirees for 2021.

Click here to see the Sharewell and Wellwise rates.

Click here to see the HMO and PPO rates.

HEALTH PLAN RATES FOR 2020

Please click on the links below for the charts provided by the County for the 2020 Health Plan rates:

Click here for the retiree PPO rates

Click here for the retiree HMO rates

For information about the supplemental insurance including dental and vision coverage, please click on the link below. 

Supplemental Insurance Benefits