THIS MONTH’S HOT TOPICS
PRIMARY ELECTION DAY COMING SOON!
Our next opportunity to vote will be in the June 5, 2018 Statewide Direct Primary Election.
Voting options for this election include:
Vote-by-Mail: You can save time and vote-by-mail. If you are a permanent vote-by-mail voter your ballot will be sent automatically to you, or you can apply using a one-time application – CLICK HERE for that option.
Polling Place Voting: Check your polling place – CLICK HERE. Many polling places change between elections. You will need to enter your date of birth as well as the last four digits of your CA driver’s license to look up your voter registration. After completing this section, you will be automatically sent to the Registrar of Voter’s information page that will give you your voter status, what party you are registered for, your polling place, and an opportunity to see your sample ballot.
Early Vote Center Voting: Avoid Election Day congestion and vote at one of our Early Voting Vote Centers! View full details and a list of all locations CLICK HERE.
Please note: if you already received your sample ballot from the Registrar of Voters, you are ready to vote following the instructions you received with your sample ballot!
NEW INFORMATION FROM THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT ABOUT YOUR MEDICARE CARD
New Medicare cards are coming soon. Here’s what you need to know about your new card. Plus, how to avoid related scams.
Starting in April 2018, Medicare will begin mailing new cards to everyone who gets Medicare benefits. Why? To help protect your identity, Medicare is removing Social Security numbers from Medicare cards. Instead, the new cards will have a unique Medicare Number. This will happen automatically. You don’t need to do anything or pay anyone to get your new card.
Medicare will mail your card, at no cost, to the address you have on file with the Social Security Administration. If you need to update your official mailing address, visit your online Social Security account or call 1-800-772-1213. When you get your new card, your Medicare coverage and benefits will stay the same.
If your sister who lives in another state gets her card before you, don’t fret. The cards will be mailed in waves, to various parts of the country, from April 2018 until April 2019. So, your card may arrive at a different time than hers. You can check the rollout schedule to get a better idea when you may be receiving yours.
When you get your new card, be sure to destroy your old card. Don’t just toss it in the trash. Shred it. If you have a separate Medicare Advantage card, keep that because you’ll still need it for treatment.
As the new Medicare cards start being mailed, be on the lookout for Medicare scams. Here are some tips:
Don’t pay for your new card. It’s yours for free. If anyone calls and says you need to pay for it, that’s a scam.
Don’t give personal information to get your card. If someone calls claiming to be from Medicare, asking for your Social Security number or bank information, that’s a scam. Hang up. Medicare will never ask you to give personal information to get your new number and card.
Guard your card. When you get your new card, safeguard it like you would any other health insurance or credit card. While removing the Social Security number cuts down on many types of identity theft, you’ll still want to protect your new card because identity thieves could use it to get medical services.
For more information about changes to your Medicare card go to go.medicare.gov/newcard. And if you’re a victim of a scam, report it to the FTC.
Click here to read the latest newsletter from the California Retired County Employees Association (CRCEA).
WHAT’S IN THE NEWS – WEEK OF MAY 7, 2018
State Supreme Court hearing set on San Diego’s pension overhaul
The San Diego Union-Tribune newspaper reports that the California Supreme Court will conduct a hearing on May 29 “on San Diego’s six-year-old pension cutbacks, which the court could vindicate or overturn.” The article says that if the court rules against the city it could be forced to pay millions of retroactive payments to retirees. (More)
OC to contract to house ill homeless
The Orange County Board of Supervisors has approved a $1.6 million contract to house and treat homeless people suffering from drug-abuse problems and mental illness according to this story in the Orange County Register newspaper. (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.
Luncheons for 2018 are listed below:
January 24 March 28 May 23 September 26 December 5
Please Note: Reservations by phone or mail for the May 23rd luncheon must be at the REAOC office by Friday, May 18th, 2018.
COST
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 (please note the new location) located at 515 E. Kimball Avenue in Hemet and lunch is served between 11:45 and noontime. 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, June 19th at 11:30 AM at the First Presbyterian Church in the Fellowship Hall (please note the new location) located at 515 E.Kimball in Hemet.
Make your reservation by calling Mary Little at 951-485-7738 or Jane Pabitzky at 951-237-3240 by no later than June 11th,2018.
Luncheons for 2018 are listed below:
February 20 April 17 June 19 October 16 December 18
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 2018
If you have any questions regarding your health plan, please contact the County’s Employee Benefits section at (800) 858-7266.
Please click on the links below for the charts provided by the County for the 2018 Health Plan rates:
HMO & PPO Health Plan Tables for 2018
Sharewell and Wellwise Health Plan Rate Tables for 2018
Below is a link to the County PPO Blue Shield website. It’s a great website, retirees can track their claims (once they register), find network providers, get plan information, price prescriptions, etc.
Please click here to go to the website.
On the bottom left corner of the find a provider page is a place to check the network outside of CA.
Blue Shield of Ca contracts for the Blue Cross Nationwide network so the provider options outside of CA are very good.
The County of Orange also provided this Retiree Services and Resources for REAOC. Please click here to access this document.
For information about the supplemental insurance including dental and vision coverage, please click on the link below.
Supplemental Insurance Benefits
