MAYOR ADAMS, OLR COMMISSIONER CAMPION ANNOUNCE SIGNING OF MEDICARE ADVANTAGE CONTRACT

 

Contract with Aetna Ensures Lower Deductible, Cap on Out-of-Pocket Maximums, and New Benefits for City’s Retirees 

Plan Also Significantly Lowers Numbers of Procedures Requiring Prior Authorization

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Office of Labor Relations (OLR) Commissioner Renee Campion today announced the official signing of the contract between the City of New York and Aetna to provide a Medicare Advantage plan to the city’s roughly 250,000 retirees and their dependents. The New York City Aetna Medicare Advantage plan will continue the city’s long-standing commitment to providing high-quality, premium-free coverage to the city’s retirees and their dependents.

 

“Our administration has never wavered in our commitment to provide retirees and their dependents with high-quality, sustainable coverage while allowing us to rein in the skyrocketing costs of health care and the strain it is placing on our city’s budget,” said Mayor Adams. “This plan improves upon retirees’ current plans, including offering a lower deductible, a cap on out-of-pocket expenses, and new benefits, like transportation, fitness programs, and wellness incentives. We also heard the concerns of retirees and worked to significantly limit the number of procedures subject to prior authorization under this plan. This Medicare Advantage plan is in the best interests of both our city’s retirees and its taxpayers.”

 

“For months, the city has worked with the Municipal Labor Committee to diligently negotiate this contract with Aetna to provide a custom Medicare Advantage program to the city’s retirees,” said OLR Commissioner Campion. “This new plan provides substantial improvements to retirees’ health coverage, as well as new and enhanced benefits. We thank the MLC for their partnership throughout this process and Aetna for working with us to provide the best possible plan for New York City retirees.”

 

“We’re honored to offer a customized Medicare Advantage plan that provides high-quality, affordable, and convenient health care for City of New York retirees who’ve devoted their careers to serving New Yorkers,” said Dan Finke, president, Aetna. “With nearly 60 years of Medicare expertise and experience, we stand ready to serve retirees through our network of primary care and specialty physicians, mental health providers, and hospitals they already know and trust.”

 

The signing of the five-plus year contract follows the official approval by the Municipal Labor Committee (MLC) on March 9, 2023. As of September 1, 2023, retirees currently enrolled in the city’s Senior Care plan will automatically be enrolled in the Medicare Advantage plan. Medicare-eligible retirees and their dependents will also be able to opt out of the Aetna Medicare Advantage plan and enrolling in the city’s HIP VIP Plan instead.

 

The city’s Aetna Medicare Advantage plan will provide a lower deductible for retirees than their current Senior Care plan. The plan also places a cap on out-of-pocket expenses and offers new benefits to retirees, including transportation to certain doctors’ appointments, fitness programs, and wellness incentives. Additionally, the plan significantly limits the number of procedures requiring prior authorization.

 

“We’ll continue to build a strong partnership with the City of New York and the Municipal Labor Committee, which were and will remain instrumental in helping engage retirees in their health care,” said Rick Frommeyer, senior vice president, Aetna Group Retiree Solutions. “We’ve already proactively collaborated on multiple ways to educate retirees about our Medicare Advantage plan benefits and to help ensure a smooth transition on September 1, 2023. We look forward to meeting retirees at one of the many upcoming open enrollment meetings.”

 

The city is committed to working with Aetna to ease the transition to the new plan and answer any questions from eligible retirees. Aetna has built a custom website specifically for City of New York retirees. The website has resources for retirees to look up their doctor, find out detailed information about their plan, and register for online and in-person information sessions. Retirees can also contact Aetna’s dedicated call center at 855-648-0389 (TTY: 711), Monday to Friday, from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Aetna will additionally be holding a series of in-person town hall meetings beginning next week in the New York metro area and other states with high Medicare-eligible retiree populations to answer any questions and assist them with the transition.

 

Comptroller Brad Lander Sets Prevailing Wage Rates for Staten Island Ferry Engineers

 

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander released a final determination of the prevailing wage rate and benefits for Staten Island Ferry marine engineers.

The order set hourly rates and benefits back to November 2010 when the last collective bargaining agreement expired. For marine engineers, the Comptroller determined that hourly rate in 2010 should have been $40.90, rising to $50.45 as of 2022. For chief marine engineers, the Comptroller set the rate at $64.61 in 2010, rising to $79.71 as of 2022. The Comptroller set vacation and other benefits at the level of other New York City employees.

“Staten Island Ferry engineers, who have been without a contract for over a decade, deserve a fair wage for safely steering thousands of New Yorkers across our harbor every day,” said New York City Comptroller Brad Lander. “Today’s ruling reflects diligent review of the work, pay, and benefits for comparable workers to set a fair prevailing wage as required by state law.”

Under New York State law, the New York City Comptroller sets and enforces prevailing wage law for public works projects and building service work on New York City government-funded work sites. Section 220 of New York State Labor Law sets out how prevailing wages shall be determined.

After review of the judge’s report, the Comptroller issued an interim decision, asking the Bureau of Labor Law, the New York City Office of Labor Relations, and MEBA to submit additional documentation in October 2022, and at the parties’ request again in February 2023. The Comptroller’s final order is available here and wage sheets are available here.

Governor Hochul Announces New "I LOVE NY" Tourism Partnership with New York Yankees and New York Mets on Opening Day

 

New Campaign Will Highlight New York's Baseball Legacy and Will Encourage Fans to Plan a Baseball-Themed Getaway

Attractions and Events Highlighted at iloveny.com/baseball

 Governor Kathy Hochul today announced a new travel and tourism partnership between I LOVE NY, the New York Yankees and the New York Mets, celebrating the start of the 2023 Major League Baseball season. I LOVE NY branded signage will appear in Yankee Stadium and Citi Field this season, and will also be visible during game broadcasts on television. This signage, coupled with digital and social media efforts, will encourage fans to visit iloveny.com/baseball and plan a New York State baseball-themed trip. New York is an ideal destination for baseball fans, and the campaign will showcase all there is to see and do for fans of all ages.

"Nothing says springtime in New York like Opening Day, and we are thrilled to welcome visitors, fans, and spectators from around the world to be a part of our state's baseball legacy," Governor Hochul said. "As the Bronx Bombers and the Amazin' Mets take the field this season, we are proud to work hand in glove with New York's major league teams and help fans take in our state's baseball history, heritage and culture. Thanks to this dynamic I LOVE NY partnership, we will ensure that tourism in New York continues to be a home run."

Baseball has a rich history in New York: it is the official state sport, and home to the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown. The Hall of Fame's annual Induction Weekend festivities welcome tens of thousands of fans each summer. New York is where Jackie Robinson broke baseball's color barrier in April 1947, and the new Jackie Robinson Museum in Lower Manhattan pays tribute to his achievements on and off the diamond.

Baseball is also an economic engine for communities throughout the state. Millions of fans from around the world travel to Queens and the Bronx each season to cheer on the Mets and Yankees. New York has six Minor League Baseball teams from Buffalo to Brooklyn, and eight independent league clubs. Countless youth baseball and softball leagues, teams and tournaments bring families from across New York and the Northeast during the summer baseball season, planting the seeds for the next generation of major leaguers.

Leader Of $8 Million Medicaid Fraud Scheme Sentenced To 95 Months In Prison

 

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that JULIO ALVARADO was sentenced to 95 months in prison for leading a sprawling scheme to defraud Medicaid of millions of dollars through the billing of fraudulent transportation claims.  ALVARADO previously pled guilty to one count of healthcare fraud.  U.S. District Judge Kimba M. Wood imposed today’s sentence.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said: “Julio Alvarado was the leader of a multi-million-dollar scheme to defraud Medicaid by filing false claims for medical transportation services that were never provided.  He brazenly lined his own pockets with Medicaid funds meant to help the neediest New Yorkers.  This sentence makes clear that this type of criminal conduct will be prosecuted and punished to the full extent of the law.”

According to court filings and statements made in court proceedings:

From August 2017 to February 2020, KJ Transportation C Services Inc. (“KJ”) was paid more than $20 million for providing transportation services for Medicaid enrollees in the New York City area.  A large volume of those claims were fraudulent.  In some instances, the Medicaid recipient was deceased or out of the country when KJ claimed it was transporting that person to medical appointments.  In other instances, the company used stolen identities, whereby the Medicaid recipient had never heard of KJ and had never taken any rides with the company.  In other instances, the Medicaid recipients had received unlawful kickbacks from defendants in exchange for either providing KJ their Medicaid information or for fraudulently scheduling trips they did not take.

ALVARADO, who supervised more than a dozen other participants in the scheme, was responsible for billing more than $8 million in fraudulent trip claims.

In addition to the prison term, ALVARADO, 63, of Yonkers, New York, was sentenced to three years of supervised release and ordered to pay $8,507,115 in restitution and to forfeit $8,507,115.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding work of Homeland Security Investigations and the United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Inspector General.  He also thanked the Office of the Medicaid Inspector General for its assistance.

Permits Filed For 604 Beech Terrace In Mott Haven, The Bronx

 

Permits have been filed for a five-story residential building at 604 Beech Terrace in Mott Haven, The Bronx. Located near the intersection of Beekman Avenue and Beech Terrace, the lot is one block north of the Freeman Street subway station, serviced by the 2 and 5 trains. Arye Flohr under the Vernon Avenue Holdings LLC is listed as the owner behind the applications.

The proposed 55-foot-tall development will yield 9,515 square feet designated for residential space. The building will have 14 residences, most likely rentals based on the average unit scope of 679 square feet. The concrete-based structure will also have a penthouse, a 39-foot-long rear yard, three open parking spaces, and four enclosed parking spaces.

Sander Williams Architect is listed as the architect of record.

Demolition permits will likely not be needed as the lot is vacant. An estimated completion date has not been announced.

Attorney General James Ends Harmful Labor Practices at Largest U.S. Title Insurance Company

 

Fidelity National Financial, Inc. to Pay $3.5 Million for Having Illegal “No Poach” Agreements with Competitors  

New York Attorney General Letitia James today announced an agreement to end anti-worker practices by the nation’s largest title insurance company, Fidelity National Financial, Inc. (Fidelity). An investigation by the Office of the Attorney General (OAG) discovered that Fidelity and its competitors entered into illegal no-poach agreements where they would not solicit each other’s employees, reducing competition and therefore wages and opportunities for workers. As a result of today’s agreement, Fidelity will terminate any existing no-poach agreements, pay the state $3.5 million, and cooperate with OAG’s ongoing investigations in the industry.  

“New York has always been a place for individuals to achieve their dreams, but when companies illegally collude to deny workers the opportunity to pursue better jobs, they hamper those dreams,” said Attorney General James. “New Yorkers deserve fair pay for their hard work and experience in their fields, and their career growth should never be threatened by a company’s desire to save money on wages. My office will continue standing up for workers’ rights by stopping no-poach agreements and holding companies accountable for their bad actions.”  

Fidelity issues title insurance policies either directly through its own agency or through independent title insurance agencies. Direct agents and independent agencies are competitors in the labor market and should be able to compete for employees on the basis of salaries, benefits, and career opportunities. Fidelity’s no-poach policies with other companies prevented that from happening. The OAG’s investigation concluded that Fidelity entered into no poach agreements with other title insurance companies, and that these agreements effectively reduced career opportunities and wages for workers. Today’s agreement ends Fidelity’s no poach agreements and requires the company to pay $3.5 million to the state and cooperate with OAG’s ongoing investigations in the industry.  

Today’s agreement continues Attorney General James’ work to stop unlawful no-poach agreements that stifle both competition and careers. In February 2023, Attorney General James stopped Affordable Senior Care from preventing patients and their caregivers from choosing the provider of their choice, building on a December 2022 agreement with Marks Homecare Agency over the same issue. Also in December 2022, Attorney General James ended the use of no-poach agreements by Stewart Title Guaranty Corporation, one of the largest underwriters of title insurance in the country. In July 2022, Attorney General James ended no-poach agreements by two other top title insurance companies, AmTrust and First Nationwide. In September 2021, Attorney General James ended no-poach agreements by another top national title insurer, Old Republic National Title. In March 2019, Attorney General James and a coalition of attorneys general entered into an agreement with four national fast food franchisors  — Dunkin’, Arby’s, Five Guys, and Little Caesars — that ended their use of “no-poach” agreements.  

Joseph Thompson Retires as President of the 49th Precinct Council

 

At the monthly meeting of the 49th Precinct Council President Joseph Thompson announced his retirement saying that his twenty-three years on the council, fifteen years as a police officer, and involving the entire 49th Precinct area should be more than enough to leave a legacy for people to become involved in the Precinct Council which he said he will still attend. He closed his speech by saying that the current Vice-President Hazel Mura would take over as President until the June Precinct Council elections. He then hugged the members of the council present, Captain Kentich, Community Affairs officer Graham, and Crime Prevention Officer Mederos. Then Joe walked out of the room shaking hands as he left to go home.  

New President Mura continued, she said a few words thanking Joe, and introduced Captain Kentish who went over the CompStat report for the past 28 day. Burglary was up 150% he said, but overall shooting were down with only one in the 28 day period and half as many to date as compared to 2022. Captain Kentish added that there have been thirty-four summonses and two arrests for illegal paper plates. The precinct has gotten a new Executive Office, and he then presented the Cop of the Month award to police officers Ralphy Reyes and Emily Cruz who were on loan to the 48th Precinct where they was a shooting, they interviewed witnesses, got video footage, called the ESU unit, who caught the shooter because of the two officers hard work.

Crime Prevention Officer Mederos said that the increase of burglaries were in the Van Nest area, commercial buildings, and vans such as the Ford Econoline that are often filled with tools. He added that he gives free security checks of homes and businesses on Sundays through Thursdays, and can be reached at 718-918-2026. Next were Community reports of issues in particular communities in the precinct such as homelessness, car accidents, mail fraud, dead end streets being used as social clubs, smoke shops illegally selling Cannabis, and unused bike lanes. A couple of members of the public spoke, one about what the man arrested for sexual abuse of a seventy-two year old woman, burglary, and grand larceny will be charged with by the District Attorney, whose representative said she could not talk about the case. 

May 19th is the 49th Precinct Council Breakfast at Maestros on Bronxdale Avenue off Morris Park Avenue. The event will run from nine to eleven AM at a cost of forty dollars a ticket. There was no announcement of honorees or keynote speaker.

49th Precinct Council President Joe Thompson announces that he is retiring from the 49th Precinct Council leaving Vice-President Hazel Mura as the interim President.

49th Precinct Interim President Hazel Mura then continued the meeting after Joe Thompson left the room. 

After Captain Kentish gave his report he presented the Cop of the Month Award to police officers Ralphy Reyes and Emily Cruz, with Interim Council President Hazel Mura between the two police officers. 

Representative of the Police Benevolent Association were on hand asking members of the public to support the police officers in their communities, and encouraged the audience to contact their local elected officials in the city council, state assembly, and state senate to support the police not defund them. 

Ms. Diaz of the District Attorney's office speaks of upcoming event by District Attorney Clark. The representative of Public Advocate Jumaane Williams who wants to Defund the Police is seated at the table with 49th Precinct Secretary Grace Lovic taking notes in the background.

NYSOFA Presents New Resource Guide to Help Older Adults Caring for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Logo

 

New guide presented during Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March

For Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month in March, the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) presents a new resource guide for older adult caregivers of individuals with intellectual/developmental disabilities (I/DDs).

NYSOFA’s Future Planning Guidebook For Older Caregivers of Adults with I/DD is available online here. It connects older adult caregivers with information and resources to begin the process of long-term planning. This includes financial and legal tools as well as supportive programs and services.

NYSOFA Director Greg Olsen said, "If you are an older adult caring for an individual with intellectual or developmental disabilities, this guidebook is here to help, connecting you with vital information and resources. In many cases, these services and options are available to people of all ages who are in a caregiver role. Please share this important resource today with anyone you know who could benefit.”  

The resource guide was developed with support from the U.S. Administration for Community Living (ACL) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services through the New York State Developmental Disabilities Planning Council (DDPC).

Older Adult Caregivers of Individuals with I/DD

Approximately 1 million individuals aged 60 or older in the U.S. are providing care for an adult with I/DDs, such as autism, cerebral palsy, or Down syndrome. As individuals with I/DDs experience longer life expectancy, their parents or other family members are also more likely to continue providing care later in life.  

According to the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD), I/DDs are differences which are usually present at birth and uniquely affect the trajectory of an individual’s physical, intellectual, and/or emotional development. Many of these conditions affect multiple body parts or systems.

Intellectual disability starts any time before a child turns 18 and is characterized by differences with both:

• Intellectual functioning or intelligence, which include the ability to learn, reason, problem solve, and other skills; and

• Adaptive behavior, which includes everyday social and life skills.

The term "developmental disabilities" is a broader category of often lifelong challenges that can be intellectual, physical, or both.

Additional Resources

In addition to NYSOFA’s Future Planning Guidebook, please see the following resources for further information:

• Services and supports provided by OPWDD or OPWDD service providers can help individuals live in the home of their choice; plus, find employment and other meaningful activities in which to participate. 

• The Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) is an easy way to get connected to the services you need. The line is available Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Individuals can call, text or videophone to 888-677-1199.

• Independent Living Centers (ILCs) provide an array of services that assist New Yorkers with all disabilities to live fully integrated and self-directed lives.