WDEL | by Mark Fowser Developments are expected soon on the legislative and judicial fronts regarding the future of the State of Delaware’s program to convert to a Medicare Advantage plan, affecting more than 30,000 state retirees and their families. The Special Medicfill Supplement plan would be replaced with a Medicare Advantage plan that many believe would be inferior. But, many found out about it just weeks ago. After some of the retirees formed a group known as Rise Delaware, they went to court and have been able to obtain […]
Legislator files bill to restore Medicare supplement
Cape Gazette | by Ryan Mavity After the Delaware Supreme Court stayed a proposed change to Medicare supplement insurance for state retirees, a state legislator has filed a bill that would give former state employees the option to keep their existing supplement or choose a new Medicare Advantage plan. Rep. John Kowalko, D-Newark, filed a bill Oct. 20 and said the bill, when passed, will allow the Legislature to fulfill its promises and obligations to its retirees by allowing them to choose between a new Medicare Advantage option or the […]
Judge temporarily blocks Delaware from changing state retirees’ health care plan
The News Journal | by Meredith Newman A Delaware Superior Court judge on Wednesday temporarily blocked an effort to move state retirees to a Medicare Advantage health care plan. Judge Calvin Scott ruled that the state shall “take all necessary and proper steps” to ensure that retirees’ current health care insurance and benefits “remain in full force and effect.” A trial will be held to make a final determination on the future of the Medicare Advantage plan, the ruling stated. The temporary block is a major win for a group […]
Delaware Superior Court rules in favor of state retirees, halts Medicare Advantage plan
Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen Delaware Superior Court granted a motion Wednesday to delay the state’s implementation of its new Medicare Advantage plan. The decision marks a significant victory for state retirees, including the cases’ plaintiffs: Retirees Investing in Social Equity (RISE) Delaware, state retiree Thomas Penoza and former state Sen. Karen Peterson. Since August, pensioners have organized against the switch, citing concerns that retirees and legislators were not a part of discussions regarding the change. The lawsuit filed by RISE Delaware, Mr. Penoza and Ms. Peterson […]
Delaware retirees take to Dover to protest Medicare change
Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle gathered on the east steps of Legislative Hall Wednesday to call on the state to halt its implementation of a new Medicare Advantage plan for pensioners. Just over a week after a rally against the state’s move to a Medicare Advantage plan was held in Wilmington, more than 150 state retirees and others opposing the change gathered. Both events were led by Retirees Investing in Social Equity Delaware, or RISE Delaware, which is an organization […]
House, Senate to reconvene Oct. 26 for debate about Medicare Advantage oversight
Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen Delaware’s House of Representatives and Senate will reconvene Oct. 26 to consider legislation that would provide oversight to the state’s move to a Medicare Advantage plan for its pensioners. The legislation, Senate Bill 348, would establish a State Medicare Advantage Accountability, Measurement and Reporting Subcommittee of elected officials who would be responsible for regular provision of the new plan. The group would also be tasked with releasing quarterly reports regarding the state’s compliance with its contract with Highmark Delaware, starting in April […]
Delaware Legislature to hold special session amid outrage for retiree Medicare Advantage plan
The News Journal | by Meredith Newman The Delaware General Assembly will hold a special session later this month to vote on adding more oversight to the transition of state retirees’ health care plan to Medicare Advantage, a move that has been protested across Delaware in recent weeks. Yet retirees are still looking to reject this plan altogether, as a lawsuit seeks to block the transition to Medicare Advantage, a type of Medicare plan offered through a private insurer. The special session, which has bipartisan support in both chambers, will […]
Delaware General Assembly to convene this month to consider Medicare Advantage oversight bill
Delaware Public Media | by Paul Kiefer Delaware’s General Assembly will hold a special session later this month to vote on a bill addressing concerns about the state’s transition to a Medicare Advantage Plans for retired state employees. The legislation — sponsored by leadership from both parties in the Senate and House — would task the state’s Department of Human Resources with assisting state pensioners with the transition and add guardrails to the new insurance plans for retired state employees. It comes after a lawsuit by the retiree advocacy group […]
How enraged former state workers are fighting back against health plan changes
The News Journal | by Meredith Newman A group of Delaware retirees, including a former state senator, has filed a lawsuit seeking to block changes to state retirees’ health care plan. The switch to Medicare Advantage has sparked an outcry from many state retirees, who feel Delaware has misled them and is now forcing them to accept health insurance that could deny or delay care. It has led the retirees to fight back: The filing of the lawsuit this week in Delaware Superior Court argues the state failed to follow […]
State retirees protest Carney admin’s Medicare Advantage plan
Delaware Live | by Charlie Meggison Delaware state government retirees gathered in Wilmington Tuesday with a message for Gov. John Carney and his political appointees: “Keep your hands off our Medicare.” The crowd of mostly senior citizens planned to protest outside the Carvel State Office Building, where the governor, attorney general and New Castle County lawmakers have offices. Rain forced them indoors to the city and county council chambers, one building over. It was there that they reiterated their disdain for the state’s plan to shift retirees and pensioners from […]