Delaware Public Media | by Rachel Sawicki More than 50 state retirees rallied in Wilmington Tuesday to oppose moving their healthcare coverage to a Medicare Advantage plan. Though lawmakers approved the switch as part of the 2023 state budget in June, many say they were not fully informed of the details. Former State Senator Karen Peterson says she was misled too, with newsletters sent to her touting a plan better than what she has now. “Medicare Advantage is quick to deny, deny, deny,” Peterson says. “That’s how they make their […]

WDEL | by Mark Fowser Medicare open enrollment is creating a lot of concern for thousands of retirees who worked for the State of Delaware, thanks to a decision made months ago that many are just now finding out about. It’s a decision with wide-ranging ramifications. Tuesday, state retirees and their spouses, family members and supporters gathered at the City County Building in Wilmington for a rally to show and organize opposition to the switch to Highmark Medicare Advantage from their negotiated benefits packages. Already, organizers opposed to the switch […]

Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen More than 50 state retirees, legislators and other Delawareans against the state’s move to a Medicare Advantage Plan rallied against the change in the Louis L. Redding City-County Council Chambers Tuesday. The rally was led by Retirees Investing in Social Equity Delaware, also known as RISE Delaware. The organization, formed by retiring Rep. John Kowalko, D-Newark, and New Castle County Councilwoman Lisa Diller, has led the fight against the change for retirees since late August. On Sept. 25, RISE Delaware and former […]

Insurance NewsNet | by Joe Edelen Less than a week before the start of Delaware’s Medicare Open Enrollment period, state retirees have filed a lawsuit over the change to a Medicare Advantage Plan. Retirees Investing in Social Equity Delaware, or RiseDelaware, filed a formal complaint in the Delaware Superior Court on Sunday, alleging the involved state agencies did not adhere to certain procedures under the Delaware Administrative Procedures Act “while enforcing statutory powers.” The lawsuit aims to halt the state’s implementation of its new Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield Delaware’s […]

Delaware Live | by Charlie Meggison A group of Delaware state government retirees and pensioners has filed suit against two government officials tasked with implementing a change in their health insurance coverage. RISE Delaware, an organization formed after state officials announced a plan to transition retirees to a Medicare Advantage program, filed the lawsuit in the Delaware Superior Court. RISE hopes to stop the transition to the Advantage program, which is set to take place on Jan. 1, 2023. “I have worked and contributed to Medicare my entire adult life,” […]

Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen Less than a week before the start of Delaware’s Medicare Open Enrollment period, state retirees have filed a lawsuit over the change to a Medicare Advantage Plan. Retirees Investing in Social Equity Delaware, or RiseDelaware, filed a formal complaint in the Delaware Superior Court on Sunday, alleging the involved state agencies did not adhere to certain procedures under the Delaware Administrative Procedures Act “while enforcing statutory powers.” The lawsuit aims to halt the state’s implementation of its new Highmark Blue Cross Blue […]

Delaware Public Media | by Paul Kiefer The retiree advocacy group RiseDelaware is suing the state in state Superior Court over its decision to move retired state employees to a Medicare Advantage plan administered by Highmark Delaware. The group, led by state Rep. John Kowalko and New Castle County Councilperson Lisa Diller, claims state officials did not adequately inform lawmakers and retirees of the decision. In February, the state’s Pension Benefit Committee awarded a three-year contract to Highmark Delaware, longtime insurance provider for state employees, to administer the Medicare Advantage […]

The News Journal | by Meredith Newman The change to state pensioners’ health care plan caught both retirees and lawmakers off guard, which led to Democratic Senate leaders asking Gov. John Carney to push the implementation of the new Medicare Advantage plan. The Carney administration has denied this request, citing contractual obligations among other reasons. Ultimately, according to a letter to lawmakers obtained by Delaware Online/The News Journal, the plan to replace retiree’s Medicare plan is already in motion and it’s too late to stop it. The plan will go […]

Bay to Bay News | by Joseph Edelen At the Statewide Employee Benefits Committee’s monthly meeting on Monday, the panel provided updates on the implementation of Medicare Advantage ahead of next month’s Medicare Open Enrollment period. As many state of Delaware pensioners continue to express their uncertainty about the state’s move to a Medicare Advantage Plan, state officials and State Employee Benefits Committee members have made an immediate effort to inform pensioners of the change. While Statewide Benefits and Insurance Coverage Director Faith Rentz has assisted in providing pensioners with […]

Newark Post | by Josh Shannon Cyndie Romer cruised to victory in Tuesday’s District 25 Democratic primary, taking her one step closer to replacing the retiring Rep. John Kowalko. Romer took 85 percent of the vote, while firefighter Ed Klima took 15 percent. She will face Republican Lynn Mey, a chemical engineer who lives in the Cannonshire neighborhood, in November. “I am humbled and grateful for the support from the voters in the 25th District,” Romer said Tuesday night. “They inspire me and motivate me to work hard for them […]