2025 OPEN ENROLLMENT RETIREE FAIR

What: County of Orange Open Enrollment Retiree Fair

Where: The County Conference Center, located at 601 N. Ross Street, Santa Ana, 92701 

Parking: Park in Lot P4

Questions: Please contact Employee Benefits at AskEmployeeBenefits@ocgov.com or call 714-834-6282.

Additional Information: This meeting will share information about the retiree Health Plans available for 2025 and will provide answers to any questions you may have regarding your health plan. Please note the session times for Non-Medicare and Medicare as shown below.

2025 OPEN ENROLLMENT

The following information is provided by the County of Orange, Employee Benefits:

The 2025 Open Enrollment period is from Wednesday, October 16, 2024, through Tuesday, November 5, 2024.  Elections made during Open Enrollment will be effective January 1, 2025. 

Starting October 1, 2024, County of Orange retirees can visit the Employee Benefits website, hrs.ocgov.com/retiree.benefits or click here, to review the 2025 health plan rates and access other helpful resources to assist you in making an informed decision.

In early October, you will receive a Retiree Open Enrollment packet to your mailing address on file with the Benefits Service Center. A Confirmation of Benefits (COB) is included in the packet to detail your coverage and cost for 2025.

If you would like to speak to a representative about your current coverage, want to make your Open Enrollment election, or schedule an appointment, contact the Benefits Service Center at (833) 476-2347. During Open Enrollment, the Benefits Service Center will be available to answer your Open Enrollment questions Monday to Friday between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m.

To ensure you receive all vital information, take a moment to verify your communications preferences on the Benefits Service Center website: mybenefits.ocgov.com. Please ensure that you report any change of address
with the Benefits Service Center in a timely manner.

Carefully review your COB notice(s) if you make elections during Open Enrollment. The allowable correction period is Wednesday, November 6 through Friday, November 12, 2024. In addition, make sure you check your email or mailbox for any follow-up actions from the Benefits Service Center. 

If you receive a monthly Medicare Part B Reimbursement, please make sure you submit your 2025 Medicare Part B premium statement by January 15, 2025, to the Benefits Service Center.

Retirees can learn about other supplemental benefits by calling the Retired Employees Association of Orange County (REAOC) at (714) 840-3995 or the labor organization they were affiliated with when employed. As a reminder, if you retired from anywhere besides the County of Orange, please contact your former
employer to see if you are eligible for any post-employment medical benefits. 

Please be aware that REAOC does not administer the health plan program. For more information, go to: hrs.ocgov.com/retiree.benefits or click here.

OCERS ASSISTANT CEO IS RETIRING

Suzanne Jenicke, the Assistant CEO at OCERS, will be retiring in September after a career of 25 years of dedicated service.  REAOC’s Past President, Linda Robinson, REAOC Director, Sara Ruckle Harms, and REAOC Vice-President Dot Ronan share in the celebration of Suzanne’s retirement.  REAOC congratulates Suzanne on her dedication to OCERS and all retirees and her exemplary service and partnership with REAOC. Click here to read the article celebrating Suzanne’s years of service in OCERS At Your Service publication.

COUNTY OF ORANGE HEALTH PLANS RATES FOR 2025  

The County Board of Supervisors were presented with the proposed new Health Plan Rates for 2025 at their July 23, 2024 Board meeting.  These agenda items (items 46-49) were approved unanimously.  The 2025 rate charts can be accessed by clicking here for the Excel charts or here for the PDF version.

REAOC prepared comparison charts comparing the 2024 rates to the newly approved 2025 Health Plan Rates.  You may review these comparison charts by clicking here.  Please note that the worksheet has several tabs on the bottom that will show all of the comparisons by health plan type.

If you have questions, contact the Benefits Service Center at 1-833-476-2347 or they can be reached on-line by clicking here.  Normal hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Pacific Standard Time. 

LUNCHEON REMINDER

Our luncheons are 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 September 25, 2024!  For more information, please click here.

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.

REAOC BOARD OF OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS

The REAOC Board monthly meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of each month via 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 SEPTEMBER 30, 2024

Record-breaking October heat wave to persist through the weekend in Southern California 

This Sun article begins with “After a brief cooling period across Southern California, an ‘anomalous’ heat wave is set to continue this week, with record breaking triple-digit temperatures already arriving in the Inland Empire on Tuesday and Wednesday.  Temperatures around the Inland Empire had already climbed into the low 100s on Wednesday, with an excessive heat warning in effect for much of the area through Monday evening. High temperatures in the San Bernardino County and Riverside County valleys were expected to range from the upper 90s to 105 degrees through Monday.” (Read More)

OC secret settlement with pandemic meal providers cost taxpayers over $9 million 

The Voice of OC reports on another troubled effort to contract for meal services: “County leaders quietly settled a dispute with two of their largest nonprofit meal providers last year – one that ended up costing taxpayers over $9 million and never got publicly discussed.  It’s the second time in two months that Orange County leaders have faced questions over how well they oversee contracts amidst a lawsuit with a different nonprofit that county attorneys say embezzled over $10 million meant to go toward feeding seniors.” (Read More)

DMV eliminates written knowledge test for most older drivers 

The DMV announced via a press release dated September 39: “The California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) today announced that drivers 70-years-old and older in California whose licenses expire in 2024 and beyond will no longer be required to take a written knowledge test beginning October 1.  – – – – – We are eliminating the written knowledge test for those without traffic violations on their record to improve customer service. If thousands fewer people need to visit the DMV, or can spend less time in an office, the people who need to take care of their business in one of our offices can be better served. – – – – – For those renewing their license who are 70 and older, an office visit is still required for a vision exam and an updated photo.”  Drivers with a history of accidents or citations may still be required to take the written test according to the press release. (Read More)

Newsom denies jobless aid to undocumented Californians, after vetoing two other bills to help them 

CalMatters reported: “Gov. Newsom again vetoes a bill aiming to let undocumented immigrants get unemployment benefits. He earlier vetoed measures to allow them to apply for homeowner aid, and for undocumented students to work on campus. Political analysts say he’s playing it safe on a hot-button issue.” (Read More)

California outlaws local voter ID rules 

Politico reported: “Local governments in California will be barred from establishing local laws that require residents present identification to vote in elections under a new law signed Sunday by Gov. Gavin Newsom.  The legislation — from state Sen. Dave Min, an Orange County Democrat running for Rep. Katie Porter’s open House seat — is a direct response to a controversial ballot measure approved this year by voters in Huntington Beach requiring people to show photo identification at the polls. It will take effect on Jan. 1.” (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 available.

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 2024, the luncheons will be held on Wednesdays on the dates listed below:

January 24, 2024

March 27, 2024

May 22, 2024

September 25, 2024

December 4, 2024

To ensure a parking spot please arrive by 11 a.m. Please carpool if possible.

Cost for the luncheon is $20.00 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 September 25, 2024 luncheon must be received by no later than September 18, 2024.

HEALTH CARE PLANS AND RATES FOR 2025

The County Board of Supervisors were presented with the proposed new Health Plan Rates for 2025 at their July 23, 2024 Board meeting. The 2025 rate charts can be accessed by clicking here.

REAOC prepared comparison charts comparing the 2024 rates to the newly approved 2025 Health Plan Rates.  You may review these comparison charts by clicking here.  Please note that the worksheet has several tabs on the bottom that will show all of the comparisons by health plan type.

HEALTH CARE PLANS AND RATES FOR 2024

The Board of Supervisors approved the new Health Care Plans and Rate for 2024 at the Board meeting on July 18, 2023.  The rate charts can be accessed by clicking here.

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