therapy

Physical therapy, movement helps seniors thrive in retirement

Katie KazimirBusiness, Headlines

Keep it moving — that’s the top tip for longevity from local experts to Delaware’s aging population. “As we get older, we get lazy,” said 71-year-old Rick Stetler.Ā  Stetler was wrapping up a session at Milford’s Aquacare Physical Therapy last week. He is one of the hundreds of retirees pouring into Delaware yearly and expected to dramatically increase the size …

A new committee is continuing to hear more options on changing healthcare for state retirees. (File)

More options, no decisions on state retiree healthcare plans

Sam HautDelaware Live, Government, Headlines, Health

The State Employee Benefits Committee retiree subcommittee is considering more options to save the state money on healthcare over the next 20 years. It met Monday and may meet on July 10 and July 20 to discus options. The options presented relate to the “Other Post-Employment Benefits” that the state is trying to cut back on and close the unfunded …

Insurance and prescription costs are going up for state retirees. (National Cancer Institute)

State retirees on Medicare to pay 5% more for Medicfill plan

Sam HautGovernment, Headlines

People who have retired from the state of Delaware and are now on Medicare will pay 5% more for the stateā€™s special Medicfill insurance plan, a committee decided on Monday. The change starts Jan. 1. The State Employee Benefits Committee had voted in March to increase premiums 9.4% for those on the group health insurance plan but not on Medicare. …

Rise 4

Court halts state switch to Medicare Advantage

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

The stateā€™s plan to transition state government retireesā€™ health insurance from original Medicare to a privately-managed Medicare Advantage plan has been temporarily blocked.Ā  A Delaware Superior Court judge on Wednesday ordered the state to halt implementation of the plan until the case is fully adjudicated.Ā  The court will schedule a trial to make a final determination on the fate of …

Thursday, June 9, 2022

Legislature to reconvene to tackle Medicare Advantage

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

In response to protests by state government retirees who say they were left in the dark over a significant change to their health insurance, the General Assembly unveiled a bill Monday aimed at creating additional oversight. The House of Representatives and Senate will hold a special session in Dover on Oct. 26 to debate and vote on the bill. Pensioners …

Rise 1

State retirees protest Carney admin’s Medicare Advantage plan

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

Delaware state government retirees gathered in Wilmington Tuesday with a message for Gov. John Carney and his political appointees: ā€œKeep your hands off our Medicare.ā€ 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 …

Medicare Advantage Kowalko

State retirees sue to stop Medicare Advantage plan

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

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 …

Medicare Advantage Kowalko

State retirees skeptical of new Medicare Advantage plan

Charles MegginsonHeadlines, Government

Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield has agreed to delay the prior authorization requirement on state retireesā€™ new Medicare Advantage health insurance plan by four months. The announcement, made before a crowd of state retirees and pensioners, drew laughs and jeers from the crowd gathered at Goldey Beacom College in Pike Creek Valley.Ā  ā€œHow about delay it by 40 years,ā€ one …

Medicare

Change to state retireesā€™ health insurance prompts angst

Charles MegginsonGovernment, Headlines

A change to the health insurance held by retirees of Delawareā€™s state government is causing an uproar. The stateā€™s requirement that retirees and pensioners switch from original Medicare to a specially-tailored Medicare Advantage plan has led to charges that retirees will lose their doctors or be denied services that are currently covered. Thatā€™s not true, said Delaware Secretary of Human …