Current News:
Newly elected retired fire pension commissioner: The executive board of the Los Angeles Retired Fire and Police Association wants to congratulate fellow board member Ken Buzzell on his election to the Los Angeles Fire and Police Pension Commission. Buzzell, who received more than 93% of the votes cast, was sworn in on October 5, 2017 as the elected retired fire member.
2017 Retiree medical plan options for open enrollment: Numerous members have called our office with questions concerning the medical plan options available to retired members and whether they should sign up for a specific plan during the open enrollment period. The Los Angeles Retired Fire and Police Association does not offer a medical plan option. We also do not make specific recommendations because there is no “one size fits all” plan available. Each member has to determine which plan best fits their needs and the needs of their dependents.
Members seeking information concerning the pros and cons of each option available should call the specific provider in order to get their questions answered.
For police medical plan options, officers should contact the Los Angeles Police Relief Association because that organization is the sole provider of medical plan options available to retired police members. The Police Relief Association can be reached at (888) 252-7721 or at (213) 674-3701.
For firefighter medical plan options, firefighters interested in Kaiser and/or the Fire Medical plan should contact the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association at (800) 244-3439 or at (323) 259-5200.
Retired firefighters interested in an Anthem plan should contact UFLAC at (800) 252-8352 or at (213) 978-3750.
Members seeking information concerning the pros and cons of each option available should call the specific provider in order to get their questions answered.
For police medical plan options, officers should contact the Los Angeles Police Relief Association because that organization is the sole provider of medical plan options available to retired police members. The Police Relief Association can be reached at (888) 252-7721 or at (213) 674-3701.
For firefighter medical plan options, firefighters interested in Kaiser and/or the Fire Medical plan should contact the Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association at (800) 244-3439 or at (323) 259-5200.
Retired firefighters interested in an Anthem plan should contact UFLAC at (800) 252-8352 or at (213) 978-3750.
Medicare part B Reimbursement: On October 5, 2017, the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners considered a staff recommendation to amend the Board’s operating policies and procedures section 8.3. Under section 8.3 (G), beginning March 31, 2014, if an eligible member did not fill out and file a Medicare Part B Reimbursement Agreement (MBRA), then the member would not receive the Medicare Part B reimbursement benefit.
The MBRA was originally intended to allow the Pension Department to recover overpayments of monies paid to members who were no longer eligible to receive the Medicare Part B reimbursement. However, pension staff had determined that this provision is no longer needed because of changes in Internal Revenue Service rules. Staff had also determined this procedure was time consuming and ineffective in that members otherwise eligible for this benefit under the Los Angeles City Administrative Code were not being properly reimbursed.
In addition, the staff report recommended elimination of section 8.3 (H) dealing with retroactive Medicare Part B reimbursements. Under staff’s recommendation, the 213 pensioners affected by this change would be reimbursed, but only for a maximum of 12 months. This change would cost a total of $221,000.
During the Board’s meeting, newly elected Pension Commissioner Ken Buzzell made a motion to reimburse affected members the entire amount they would otherwise be eligible for. Buzzell’s argument was “they are entitled to it, so I move we make them all whole for what was withheld, notwithstanding that the retroactive payment will be increased by $82,000 for a total cost of $303,000.
This motion was seconded and approve unanimously by the five Commissioners present at the meeting (Robert von Voigt, elected active police member; George Aliano, elected retired police member; Ruben Navarro, elected active fire member; Ken Buzzell, elected retired fire member; and Brian Pendleton, mayor appointee.
The Pension Department intends to issue retroactive subsidy credits to the affected pensioners on November 30, 2017.
The MBRA was originally intended to allow the Pension Department to recover overpayments of monies paid to members who were no longer eligible to receive the Medicare Part B reimbursement. However, pension staff had determined that this provision is no longer needed because of changes in Internal Revenue Service rules. Staff had also determined this procedure was time consuming and ineffective in that members otherwise eligible for this benefit under the Los Angeles City Administrative Code were not being properly reimbursed.
In addition, the staff report recommended elimination of section 8.3 (H) dealing with retroactive Medicare Part B reimbursements. Under staff’s recommendation, the 213 pensioners affected by this change would be reimbursed, but only for a maximum of 12 months. This change would cost a total of $221,000.
During the Board’s meeting, newly elected Pension Commissioner Ken Buzzell made a motion to reimburse affected members the entire amount they would otherwise be eligible for. Buzzell’s argument was “they are entitled to it, so I move we make them all whole for what was withheld, notwithstanding that the retroactive payment will be increased by $82,000 for a total cost of $303,000.
This motion was seconded and approve unanimously by the five Commissioners present at the meeting (Robert von Voigt, elected active police member; George Aliano, elected retired police member; Ruben Navarro, elected active fire member; Ken Buzzell, elected retired fire member; and Brian Pendleton, mayor appointee.
The Pension Department intends to issue retroactive subsidy credits to the affected pensioners on November 30, 2017.
Retiree Health Subsidy Update: On September 20, 2017 the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners voted to adopt a recommendation from the Ad Hoc Committee on Retiree Health Plans. The recommendation was to direct staff to discontinue contract negotiations with Kaiser and Anthem Blue Cross to provide health, vision and dental insurance services to pensioners currently enrolled in the LACERS health plans. The Board directed staff to “1) work with United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC) to amend our Operations Agreement with UFLAC to allow pensioners currently enrolled in the LACERS health plans to enroll in UFLAC’s Anthem PPO and HMO health plans, and 2) continue dialog with the Los Angeles Police Relief Association (LAPRA), Los Angeles Firemen’s Relief Association (LAFRA), and UFLAC on opening their health and dental plans to pensioners currently enrolled in LACERS health and dental plans.”
Fall 2017 Newsletter: Please log in to view the newsletter.
LAPD Central Mural Project: Please log in to view information on the LAPD Central Area Mural project.
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Non medical health subsidy increase - Pension Commission action: On July 6, 2017, the Board of Fire and Police Pension Commissioners reconsidered a staff report to increase the non-Medicare health subsidy by 5%. Please see the report written by Director Ken Buzzell for details.
A message from the LARFPA Board of Directors: Director Ken Buzzell represented LARFPA at the June 15 Pension Commission Meeting. The motion to replace the current medical plans has been put off until the July 2018 Board meeting. For full details see the attached document.
2017 Cost of Living adjustment: The 2017 COLA has been approved at +2.7%
Flat Badge purchase form: Sworn retired members of the Los Angeles Police Department can purchase a flat badge by completing the application.
2017 Holiday CelebrationThe Holiday Celebration has a new date! Please join us Saturday December 9, 2017 at the Sportsmen's Lodge.
Print reservation form General Membership Meeting and Annual BarbecueWe hope you join us Wednesday, June 6, 2018 at Grace Simmons Lodge. Please contact us for details.
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2017 Annual Barbecue |
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9521 Las Tunas Dr., Suite 4 - Temple City, CA 91780
(888) 288-5073 - (323) 283-4441 - (626) 285-5138
Fax: (626) 285-1461 - email: info@larfpa.com
(888) 288-5073 - (323) 283-4441 - (626) 285-5138
Fax: (626) 285-1461 - email: info@larfpa.com
