June 28, 2018 – OLR-MLC agreement set a $1.1 billion target in healthcare savings to be generated between 2019 and 2021, and “for every fiscal year thereafter $600 million per year . . . on a citywide basis.” Sustainability would need to be studied by special Committee. Eight large topics are outlined, but PSC says they only “seriously considered one, reaching for the low-hanging fruit: retiree health benefits” (see History and Timeline).
I'm skipping to . . .
July 2021 – The massive restructuring was announced. By January 2022, the city would (a) move people by default into a MAP (an EmblemHealth and Empire Blue Blue Shield partnership called the Alliance), and (b) let them opt to stay in their supplemental care program if they paid a premium of $191.57/month.
Oct 2021 – LAWSUIT 1 (NYC Org’n of Public Service Providers)
Judge blocked this lawsuit over implementation: the city hadn’t established an accurate list of providers and sent retirees a flawed enrollment guide.
https://nysfocus.com/2021/10/20/retirees-flee-medicare-advantage/
LAWSUIT 2 (Aetna against the city, violations in the bidding process)
Dec 2021 – Judge extended injunction to stay implementation until April 1, 2022.
March 3, 2022 – Judge ruled that the city charging a premium would violate §12-126 of the city’s Admin Code (enacted 1967), which stipulates that “the city will pay the entire cost of health insurance . . . not to exceed 100% of the full cost of HIP-HMO.” City had argued it was following that law as long as it covered the full cost of one health plan, and that it could legally charge people a premium if they wanted a different plan. The city appealed and lost.
https://www.work-bites.com/view-all/retirees-win-in-court.
July 18, 2022 – Anthem/Empire withdrew, ending this first effort.
Sept 8, 2022 – The MLC (which negotiates health insurance on behalf of city unions) agreed to propose a change to Admin Code to eliminate the HIP-HMO rate as single standard for determining city’s obligation to pay the full cost for employees, retirees, dependents. (In practice, when the cost of the Senior Care plan exceeds the HIP plan in a given year, the Health Insurance Stabilization Fund reimburses the city the difference.) Under the new proposal, the city and MLC could agree on a different plan as the “standard” – or benchmark: for either retirees+dependents or for actives+dependents.
https://psc-cuny.org/news-events/psc-opposes-weakening-nyc-health-insurance-protections/
Nov 2022 – Appeals court rules retirees can’t be forced to switch to a MAP: Admin Code §12-126(b)(1) requires respondents to pay the entire cost up to the statutory cap of any health ins plan a retiree select.s
https://www.work-bites.com/view-all/retirees-win-in-court/
Dec 15, 2022 – Arbitrator cleared the way to switch retirees into a MAP (Aetna).
https://www.thecity.nyc/2022/12/15/23511966/mediccare-advantage-25-day-clock-from-abritrator-could-end-senior-care-innew-york-city
Jan 11, 2023 – Judge blocked the $15 copays.
https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/new-york-elections-government/ny-judge-blocks-nyc-charging-retired-workers-copays-20230111-4sbubgj6ujdgtlbjgytgbsfn2m-story.html
March 9, 2023 – MLC votes to accept Aetna MAP, as only alternative to HIP VIP (full Aetna contract not made available before the vote, but posted on March 10, 2023); City signs contract on March 30
May 25, 2023 – Appellate court affirmed Judge Frank’s Jan 11 decision blocking the copays.
https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/ViewDocument?docIndex=T7cQMiFRJdpEmd_PLUS_lMgmasQ==
May 31, 2023 – LAWSUIT 3 (NYC Org’n of Public Service Providers)
Seeks temporary restraining order against the Aetna plan, saying NYC violated city charter by not offering choice and violated state and city human rights laws prohibiting discrimination against disabled people. It also failed to follow proper procedures.
Documents: https://iapps.courts.state.ny.us/nyscef/DocumentList?docketId=_PLUS_IDYK0flEDapsoEVXJNmnw%3D%3D&display=all&courtType=New%20York%20County%20Supreme%20Court&resultsPageNum=1&fbclid=IwAR0LUAbRq8dHnk2C6YhIYmHeICHViyH8MjfiGEP9ahNglx2pWJn7wB-oRu0
About it: https://www.nydailynews.com/news/politics/new-york-elections-government/ny-nyc-retirees-sue-to-block-mayor-adams-new-medicare-advantage-plan-20230531-bnhtvbxonvfrle3gqwflqx5cxy-story.html
June 8, 2023 – Comptroller declined to register the Aetna contract because of pending litigation.
https://comptroller.nyc.gov/newsroom/comptroller-lander-declines-to-register-medicare-advantage-contract-pending-litigation/
July 7, 2023 – Judge issued temporary injunction blocking the move: the city can’t order retirees off the current plans.
https://psc-cuny.org/news-events/judges-decision-temporarily-blocks-aetna-medicare-advantage/
Court document: https://law.justia.com/cases/new-york/other-courts/2023/2023-ny-slip-op-32251-u.html/
I guess to be continued . . .
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