1014 Health Line -Spring 2017

ISSUE 1 Spring 2017

THE 1014 HEALTH LINE

Photo by LACOFD VPP/ Dave Mills

Work Well + Live Well President's Message Chairman’s Note Vision Coverage Dental Coverage Healthcare Legislation Firefighter Testimonial

MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT

PRESIDENT’S PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE MESSAGE behalf of behalf the Local of the 1014 Local Health 1014Plan Health Board Plan of Trustees, Board of Trustees, I’m excited I’mtoexcited to present the present new quarterly the new quarterly newsletter: newsletter: The 1014 The Health 1014Line.

Health WeLine. are proud We are to proud to offer you offer a newyou name, a new a new name, look, a new andlook, new content and newreflective content reflective of those issues of those that issues that matter most matter to the most active to the andactive retired and members retired members of the Local of the 1014 Local Health 1014Plan.

Health Plan.

Dave Dave Gillotte Gillotte

As a 25-year As amember 25-year of member the LosofAngeles the LosCounty AngelesFire County Department, Fire Department, my familymy andfamily and I are proud I are members proud members of the Local of the 1014 Local Health 1014Plan.

Health OurPlan. plan Our is truly planoutstanding is truly outstanding PresidentPresident and the coverage and the available coverage available to Firefighters to Firefighters is among isthe among best in thethe best State in the of State of Los Angeles Los County Angeles County California,California, if not theifCountry. not the Firefighters Country. Firefighters are exposed are to exposed a vast range to a vast of toxins range of toxins Firefighters Firefighters Local 1014 Local 1014 and hazards andon hazards a dailyon basis, a daily so that’s basis, why so that’s it’s imperative why it’s imperative for our health for our plan health to plan to offer premium offer premium care to meet carethe to meet unique theneeds unique of our needs members of our members and retirees. andThe retirees. The Local 1014 Local Health 1014Plan Health has always Plan has been always there been for me there and formy mefamily, and my especially family, especially as as my children my were children growing wereup growing and more up and susceptible more susceptible to injuriestoand injuries illnesses. and illnesses.

Fortunately Fortunately under ourunder healthcare our healthcare plan, I have plan, never I have hadnever to worry had about to worry lacking about lacking sufficientsufficient coverage to coverage keep my to loved keep my onesloved safe ones and healthy. safe and healthy.

Local 1014 Local is the 1014 only is the health onlyplan health

by Firefighters, plan by Firefighters, for Firefighters, for Firefighters, and and the onlythe planonly youplan can you takecan withtake youwith intoyou retirement into retirement “as is”. “as is”.

Within these Within pages, these wepages, hope to weshare hopevaluable to share information valuable information regardingregarding your your healthcarehealthcare so that you so can thatkeep you can up-to-date keep up-to-date on the latest on the news latest andnews developments. and developments.

In this issue, In this we’ve issue, highlighted we’ve highlighted information information regardingregarding our newlyour expanded newly expanded vision vision and dental and coverage, dental coverage, which makes which ourmakes healthour plan health hardplan to beat hardintoterms beat of in terms of coverage and coverage cost. and You’ll cost. alsoYou’ll read also about read recent about federal recent and federal state and legislative state legislative proposalsproposals that seekthat to address seek tothe address gaps in theproviding gaps in providing quality and quality affordable and affordable healthcarehealthcare for all. While for all. there While are there outside arefactors outside that factors couldthat potentially could potentially compromise compromise the integrity the of integrity the Local of the 1014 Local Health 1014Plan, Health our Plan, collective our collective strength strength and unityand in support unity inofsupport our union of our sponsored union sponsored health plan health serves plan us serves well and us well and prepares us prepares to defend us towhat defend we have whatrightfully we have rightfully earned. earned.

We encourage We encourage you to take youthe totime take to thereview time to your review healthcare your healthcare options. options.

Even more Even importantly, more importantly, we hope that we hope you learn that you howlearn to take howadvantage to take advantage of all of the of all enhanced of the enhanced benefits now benefits available now available under ourunder plan. our Theplan.

BoardThe Board of Trustees, of Trustees, along withalong yourwith Localyour 1014 Local Executive 1014 Executive Board, areBoard, honored are honored to serve the to serve proudthe men proud and men women andofwomen the LosofAngeles the LosCounty Angeles County Firefighters Firefighters IAFF Local IAFF 1014, Local and1014, we remain and wecommitted remain committed to securing to securing quality care quality and comprehensive care and comprehensive coverage for coverage all of our for all members. of our members.

“Our“Our plan plan is truly is truly outstanding outstanding and and the coverage the coverage available to to I hope youI hope enjoyyou thisenjoy update. thisFor update. more For details more ondetails any ofon theany topics of the covered topicsincovered this in this available newsletter, newsletter, visit our website visit ouratwebsite local1014medical.org at local1014medical.org or contactora contact membera of member the of the Firefighters Firefighters is is Board of Trustees Board of or Trustees the Executive or the Executive Board. Board. among among the best the best Fraternally, Fraternally, in theinState the State of of California, California, if notif not the Country.” the Country.”

Dave Gillotte Dave Gillotte PresidentPresident Los Angeles Los County AngelesFirefighters County Firefighters Local 1014 Local 1014

CHAIRMAN’S CHAIRMAN’S NOTE NOTE

NOTE FROM THE CHAIRMAN NOTE FROM THE CHAIRMAN

As As

Xavier Xavier “X”“X” Campos Campos

ChairmanChairman of the Local of the 1014 Local Health 1014Plan Health Board Plan of Board Trustees, of Trustees, it is an honor it is an honor to serve the to serve members the members who are enrolled who are in enrolled our plan. in our I have plan. been I have on the been Board on the Board of Trustees of Trustees for approximately for approximately 10 years, 10 thisyears, past this yearpast serving yearasserving Chairman. as Chairman.

I retired as I retired a Fire as Captain a Fireout Captain of HMTF out of43HMTF in the43 City in of theIndustry City of Industry after after 34 years of 34dedicated years of dedicated service toservice the LostoAngeles the LosCounty AngelesFire County Department.

Fire Department.

I have also I have proudly alsorepresented proudly represented our members our members while sitting while onsitting the Local on the 1014 Local 1014 ExecutiveExecutive Board forBoard more for than more 15 years. than 15 years.

ChairmanChairman Local 1014 Local Health 1014Plan Health Plan As a retired As Firefighter, a retired Firefighter, I know firsthand I know firsthand the demands the demands that this that job takes this job on takes on Board of Board Trustees of Trustees the body,the mind body, andmind spirit, and and spirit, moreand importantly more importantly on your family. on your family.

The Board The Board of Trustees, of Trustees, governedgoverned

by Mark by Bartholomew, Mark Bartholomew, John Bishop, John Dave Bishop, Gillotte, Dave Gillotte, Don Lassig, Don Dave Lassig, Morse, DaveGerry Morse, Silva, Gerry and Silva, myself, andcares myself, about cares your about overall your overall wellbeingwellbeing and we are andhere we are to advocate here to advocate on behalfonofbehalf you and of you yourand family. your family.

Our job isOur to act job with is to integrity act with integrity to ensuretothat ensure yourthat investments your investments and benefits and are benefits are being well-managed being well-managed and that and everythat decision every we decision make we is carefully make is carefully considered. considered.

Over the Over years,the ouryears, goal has our goal has always been always to offer beenour to offer members our members outstanding outstanding benefits and benefits service, and service, and this year and this is noyear exception. is no exception.

The LocalThe 1014 Local Health 1014Plan Health is Plan is among the among most the comprehensive most comprehensive plans available plans available to Firefighters. to Firefighters.

As the rest Asofthe therest nation of thegrapples nation grapples with healthcare with healthcare coverage coverage uncertainties, uncertainties, our members our members can can rest assured restthat assured theirthat coverage their coverage will not be will compromised. not be compromised.

This year,This we were year, happy we were to happy introduce to introduce expandedexpanded coverage coverage for all of your for allvision of your vision and dental and needs. dental Higher needs.allowances, Higher allowances, increasedincreased coverage,coverage, new benefits, new benefits, and and greater options greaterare options just aare fewjust of the a few highlights of the highlights of the Local of the 1014 Local Health 1014Plan.

Health Plan.

The Board The of Board Trustees of Trustees worked with worked our with insurance our insurance providersproviders to designtothe design best the best plan possible plan to possible suit our tomember’s suit our member’s individualindividual needs. Excellent needs. Excellent coverage coverage usually usually Xavier Campos, "X" Campos, ChairmanChairman comes at comes a high at price, a high butprice, fortunately but fortunately that is not that theiscase not when the case youwhen enrollyou in enroll in Xavier "X" our plan.our plan. xcampos@local1014.org xcampos@local1014.org We hope We thathope you find that the youcontent find thein content this newsletter in this newsletter to be informative to be informative and and helpful. Ithelpful. is our goal It is to ourkeep goalour to keep members our members apprised apprised of any new of developments any new developments and changes and to changes your healthcare to your healthcare plan. We plan. encourage We encourage you to share you this to share this newsletter newsletter with yourwith friends yourand friends family, andand family, do not and hesitate do not to hesitate contacttothe contact the Local 1014 Local Health 1014Plan Health office Plan at 800-660-1014 office at 800-660-1014 with yourwith questions. your questions.

Sincerely,Sincerely,

Xavier “X” Xavier Campos “X” Campos ChairmanChairman Local 1014 Local Health 1014Plan Health Board Plan of Board Trustees of Trustees

BoardBoard Members Members

Mark Bartholomew, Mark Bartholomew, Trustee Trustee mbartholomew@local1014.org mbartholomew@local1014.org John Bishop, John Trustee Bishop, Trustee jbishop@local1014.org jbishop@local1014.org Dave Gillotte, Dave Gillotte, Trustee Trustee daveg@local1014.org daveg@local1014.org Don Lassig, DonSecretary Lassig, Secretary dlassig@local1014.org dlassig@local1014.org David Morse, DavidTrustee Morse, Trustee dmorse@local1014.org dmorse@local1014.org Gerardo Gerardo Silva, Trustee Silva, Trustee gerrysilva@local1014.org gerrysilva@local1014.org Reg Cyrus, RegPlan Cyrus, Manager Plan Manager rcyrus@local1014.org rcyrus@local1014.org

VISION VISION COVERAGE COVERAGE

COMPREHENSIVE VISION COVERAGE COMPREHENSIVE VISION COVERAGE

ThisThis

past January, past January, we were excited we weretoexcited introduce to introduce an an enhancedenhanced version ofversion our already of ourcomprehensive already comprehensive vision plan. vision plan.

The enhanced The enhanced VSP vision VSP benefits vision are benefits exceptional are exceptional and will save and will save you money youallmoney the while all the ensuring while ensuring added coverage added coverage for you and for you and your loved your ones. loved ones.

Here is aHere list of is athe listnew of the added newbenefits: added benefits:

» » » » » » »

$300 allowance $300 allowance per year per for year frames forand frames contacts and contacts - a 70% -increase a 70% increase from lastfrom year.last year.

An additional An additional $300 allowance $300 allowance per year per for year a for a second pair second of glasses pair of or glasses contacts or contacts for you and for you eachand each of your enrolled dependents. of your enrolled dependents.

FREE ultraviolet protective coating for lenses.

FREE ultraviolet protective coating for lenses.

FREE retinal every year.

FREEscreenings retinal screenings every year.

FREE prescription fire maskfire lens inserts all for all FREE prescription mask lensfor inserts Firefighter members.

Firefighter members.

SUNCARE COVERAGE: Use yourUse $300 annual SUNCARE COVERAGE: your $300 annual allowance for ready-made, non-prescription allowance for ready-made, non-prescription sunglasses (instead(instead of prescription glasses glasses sunglasses of prescription or contacts). or contacts).

Save up Save to $2,400 a paironofadigital aids up to on $2,400 pair ofhearing digital hearing aids and batteries through through our vision and batteries ourplan. vision plan.

For thoseFor Local 1014 Health members who don’t wear those Local 1014Plan Health Plan members who don’t wear prescription lenses, now you now can take advantage of the Suncare prescription lenses, you can take advantage of the Suncare CoverageCoverage benefit and use the allowance to obtainto obtain benefit and$300 use the $300 allowance ready-to-wear, non-prescription sunglasses from a VSP provider. ready-to-wear, non-prescription sunglasses from a VSP provider.

The $300The Suncare will coverwill youcover and your enrolled $300 allowance Suncare allowance you and your enrolled dependents.

All you need to do is visit VSP provider, pay the pay the dependents.

All you need to doa is visit a VSP provider, $25 eye exam copay, and thenand order your non-prescription $25 eye exam copay, then order your non-prescription sunglasses through the provider. sunglasses through the provider.

We hope We youhope take you advantage of all of the outstanding benefits benefits take advantage of all of the outstanding and savings visionour plan.

Weplan. take great pride andoffered savingsthrough offered our through vision We take great pride in puttingintogether the best coverage possible possible for our members, putting together the best coverage for our members, while keeping to acosts minimum.

For moreFor information on the on the while costs keeping to a minimum. more information Local 1014 Health or overall please visit our visit our Local 1014Vision HealthPlan Vision Plan orbenefits, overall benefits, please website at local1014medical.org or call 800-660-1014. website at local1014medical.org or call 800-660-1014.

Photo by LACOFD VPP / Dave Mills

DENTAL DENTAL COVERAGE COVERAGE

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ENHANCED DENTAL COVERAGE TAKE ADVANTAGE OF ENHANCED DENTAL COVERAGE

Excess Excess Dental Dental Coverage Coverage The LocalThe 1014 Local Health 1014Plan Health nowPlan offers now youoffers enhanced you enhanced Excess Dental Excess Dental Coverage,Coverage, an unsurpassed an unsurpassed benefit that benefit covers that $1,500 coversper $1,500 person perinperson in out-of-pocket out-of-pocket expensesexpenses incurred incurred through the through dental theplans dental available plans available under LAunder County.

LA County.

The Excess TheDental ExcessCoverage Dental Coverage reimburses reimburses 100% of allowable 100% of allowable dental dental expenses,expenses, such as fillings, such ascrowns, fillings,and crowns, bridges, and that bridges, are not thatcurrently are not currently covered in covered full through in full the through LA County the LAdental Countyplans. dental This plans. benefit This benefit is available is available regardlessregardless of the dental of theplan dental in which plan in you which enrollyou enroll — the $1,500 — thecan $1,500 be used can to becover used your to cover deductibles, your deductibles, copays, copays, coinsurance coinsurance payments, payments, and amounts and amounts that exceed thatthe exceed underlying the underlying plans’ annual plans’maximum annual maximum benefit. benefit.

Here’s how Here’s the how Excess theDental ExcessCoverage Dental Coverage works: works: When you When haveyou an out-of-pocket have an out-of-pocket dental expense, dental expense, submit your submit your Explanation Explanation of Benefits of (EOB) Benefitsto(EOB) the Local to the 1014 Local Health 1014Plan Health Plan for reimbursement. for reimbursement.

The EOBThe shows EOB the shows amount the you amount owe for youthe owe for the treatmenttreatment you received. you received.

You’ll receive You’llreimbursement receive reimbursement up to $1,500. up to $1,500.

The Excess TheDental ExcessCoverage Dental Coverage cannot becannot applied betoapplied treatments to treatments or services or that services are not thatcovered are notunder covered your under existing your LA existing County LA County dental plan, dental such plan, as cosmetic such as cosmetic procedures procedures (including (including veneers veneers or dentalorimplants). dental implants).

You and each You and of your eachcovered of yourdependents covered dependents can havecan up to have $1,500 up to $1,500 of FREE of dental FREEcare dental eachcare year! each year!

Orthodontia Orthodontia Coverage Coverage Effective Effective this year,this the year, Localthe 1014 Local Health 1014Plan Health offers Plan more offers orthodontia more orthodontia coverage coverage for you and for your you and enrolled your dependents. enrolled dependents.

The orthodontia The orthodontia allowanceallowance has increased has increased from $2,000 fromto$2,000 $3,000toper $3,000 person perfor person expenses for expenses incurred incurred after January after 1, January 2017. 1, 2017.

For moreFor information more information on your on coverage: your coverage: Call our Call office our at office 800-660-1014 at 800-660-1014 Email medicalplan@local1014.org Email medicalplan@local1014.org

INFO

INFO

Our health Ourplan health wasplan enhanced was enhanced to reimburse to reimburse current orthodontia current orthodontia expensesexpenses up to a lifetime up to amaximum lifetime maximum of $3,000ofper $3,000 individual. per individual.

If you If you have already haveclaimed already $2,000 claimedin$2,000 orthodontia in orthodontia coverage,coverage, you are still you are still eligible toeligible receivetothe receive remaining the remaining balance of balance $1,000offor $1,000 any additional for any additional costs incurred costs incurred after January after 1st January of this 1styear. of this To receive year. Tocoverage receive coverage and and payment,payment, your licensed your provider licensed provider must submit mustasubmit treatment a treatment plan andplan and periodic claims. periodic claims.

Currently Currently

FEDERAL AND STATE HEALTHCARE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS

FEDERAL AND STATE HEALTHCARE LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS

HEALTHCARE HEALTHCARE LEGISLATION LEGISLATION , both the, both Federal thegovernment Federal government and the State and the of California State of California are working are on working passing onalternative passing alternative healthcare healthcare legislation legislation to the Affordable to the Affordable Care Act Care (ACA).

Act (ACA).

On the Federal On thefront, Federal thefront, American the American Health Care Health Act Care (AHCA), Act (AHCA), the recently the recently proposedproposed legislation legislation to repeal to and repeal replace andthe replace ACA,the narrowly ACA, narrowly passed the passed the House ofHouse Representative of Representative on May 4th. on May Some 4th. of the Some keyofprovisions the key provisions of this Bill of this Bill include eliminating include eliminating the insurance the insurance mandate,mandate, allowing allowing states to states file waivers to file waivers requiringrequiring insuranceinsurance companies companies to cover patients to cover with patients pre-existing with pre-existing conditions, conditions, eliminating eliminating income-based income-based tax credits, taxand credits, allowing and allowing insurers to insurers offer policies to offer policies that havethat annual haveorannual lifetime orbenefit lifetimelimits. benefit The limits.

AHCA Thewill AHCA now will headnow to the head to the Senate where Senate it will where most it will likely most facelikely considerable face considerable challenges challenges and amendments. and amendments.

In addition In addition to replacing to replacing the ACA,the theACA, current theadministration current administration was was also looking alsoat looking ways to attax ways your to tax healthcare your healthcare benefits. benefits.

Two months Two months ago, during ago,the during opening the session openingofsession the IAFF of the Legislative IAFF Legislative Conference, Conference, Firefighters Firefighters from throughout from throughout the country the listened country to listened to how some how congressional some congressional leaders had leaders proposed had proposed submitting submitting a plan a plan to tax every to tax workers’ every workers’ healthcare healthcare benefits. benefits.

Fortunately, Fortunately, a coalition a coalition of unionsof(including unions (including the IAFF) the rallied IAFF)against ralliedthis against ill-conceived this ill-conceived plan andplan forced and the forced legislators the legislators to drop this to drop tax initiative. this tax initiative.

The The healthcare healthcare tax exclusion tax exclusion is the single is the largest singlefederal largesttax federal breaktax break and accounts and accounts for more for than more $250 than billion $250annually. billion annually.

A tax which A tax hasn’t which been hasn’t dropped been dropped is the Cadillac is the Tax Cadillac – a tax Tax – a tax on high-cost, on high-cost, employer-sponsored employer-sponsored health plans health (such plans as (such the as the Local 1014 Local Health 1014Plan).

Health Under Plan). the Under AHCA, thethe AHCA, Cadillac the Tax, Cadillac Tax, which is which set to start is setinto2025, start in imposes 2025, imposes a 40 percent a 40excise percent taxexcise tax on employers’ on employers’ plans that plans costthat morecost than more $10,200 than for $10,200 individuals for individuals and $27,500 and for $27,500 families. for families.

This tax This wouldtax most would certainly most certainly impact impact our plan our andplan members. and members.

Nobody should Nobodyhave should to be have penalized to be penalized for securing for securing better healthcare better healthcare coverage coverage for themselves for themselves and theirand loved their ones. loved ones.

At the State At the level, State newlevel, amendments new amendments to the single-payer to the single-payer healthcare healthcare system system proposal proposal (SB-562 The (SB-562 Healthy The California Healthy California Act) wereAct) introduced were introduced on Marchon March 30th. The30th. universal The universal healthcare healthcare system would system bewould run bybethe runState by the of California State of California and would and cover would all cover medical all expenses medical expenses includingincluding dental, vision, dental,and vision, and prescription prescription drugs fordrugs every for resident every resident of the State. of the Co-pays, State. Co-pays, premiums, premiums, and and deductibles deductibles would bewould eliminated, be eliminated, and patients and patients would not would be required not be required to to obtain referrals obtain referrals to see eligible to seeproviders. eligible providers.

Health insurance Health insurance providersproviders would would also be prohibited also be prohibited from offering from benefits offering that benefits cover that thecover samethe services same services availableavailable through the through State.the Although State. Although these new these amendments new amendments were recently were recently introduced, introduced, the reality theis reality that universal is that universal healthcare healthcare for all is cost for allprohibitive is cost prohibitive without identifying without identifying a true funding a true source. funding source.

Regardless Regardless of the discussions of the discussions taking place taking at the place Federal at theor Federal State level, or State restlevel, rest assured that assured the Board that the of Board Trustees of Trustees remains vigilant remainsand vigilant is committed and is committed to to maintaining maintaining the long the tradition long tradition of providing of providing excellentexcellent coverage coverage for Firefighters for Firefighters and theirand families. their families.

In the meantime, In the meantime, we’ll be monitoring we’ll be monitoring the progress the progress of all of all legislativelegislative proposals, proposals, and keepand youkeep informed you informed of any new of any developments new developments that that could potentially could potentially impact our impact members’ our members’ health coverage. health coverage.

FIREFIGHTER FIREFIGHTER TESTIMONIAL TESTIMONIAL

“ I joined “ I joined the Local the Local 1014 1014 Health Health Plan Plan whenwhen I became I became an LAanCounty LA County Fire Fire Firefighter Firefighter and it’s andbeen it’s been one ofone theofbest the best decisions decisions I haveI have mademade for me forand memy and my family. family.

I feelIvery feel fortunate very fortunate to have to have accessaccess to excellent to excellent care and carebenefits and benefits through through this plan. this plan.

The recently The recently addedadded benefits benefits also save also me savemoney me money whilewhile providing providing my family my family with with additional additional coverage. coverage.

You can’t You can’t go wrong go wrong whenwhen you you sign-up sign-up for the forLocal the Local 1014 1014 Health Health Plan.”

Plan.”

- James - James Jenkins Jenkins

Schedule Schedule YourYour BodyBody ScanScan

Virtual Virtual Healthcare Healthcare

Body Scan Body is designed Scan is designed to provide topatients provide patients with earlywith detection early detection capabilities capabilities for manyfor many diseases.diseases.

Firefighters Firefighters are at higher are atrisk higher risk than the than general thepublic general forpublic developing for developing illnesses illnesses such as heart such disease, as heart lung disease, lung cancer, structural cancer, structural degradation degradation of the of the spine, and spine, manyand others. many others.

Have youHave triedyou LiveHealth tried LiveHealth Online? Online?

Connect Connect face-to-face face-to-face with with board-certified board-certified doctors who doctors can who can answer questions answer questions about your about your conditioncondition and treatment and treatment options options via your computer via your computer or mobileordevice. mobile device.

All you need All you to do need is sign-up to do isatsign-up at livehealthonline.com, livehealthonline.com, search forsearch for a doctor aindoctor your area, in your andarea, thenand paythen pay your $15your copay $15 to copay start your to start session. your session.

During the During Bodythe Scan, Body patients Scan, patients will will receive a receive scan ofathe scan torso of the region torso and region thenand then participate participate in a consultation, in a consultation, during during which thewhich scan the is visualized scan is visualized and the and the patient ispatient taken on is taken a 3-dimensional on a 3-dimensional tour tour through their through body. their To body. schedule To schedule your your Body Scan Body appointment Scan appointment or for more or for more information, information, contact Body contact Scan Body Scan International International at 877-274-5577. at 877-274-5577.

Presorted Standard US Postage PAID KBC Mailing 91352

CONTACT INFORMATION: Local 1014 Health Plan 3460 Fletcher Avenue El Monte, CA 91731 800-660-1014 medicalplan@local1014.org local1014medical.org

& Associates A GOVERNMENT

& PUBLIC

AFFAIRS FIRM