Public Employee Press

DC 37 secures $5 million for OTB retirees' health coverage

After extensive lobbying, DC 37 leaders convinced Albany lawmakers in April to include $5 million in the state budget to restore health insurance benefits to Local 2021 Off-Track Betting Corp. retirees and former vested employees who were eligible to retire but did not.

The new state-funded Medicaid coverage is limited to New York State residents who are retirees, a spouse of a retiree, or a dependant under age 21 of a retiree or employee of the New York City Off-Track Betting Corp. with vested pension time and credits as of Dec. 7, 2010.

The program includes medical, dental, optical and prescription drug coverage. Domestic partners are ineligible. Members benefit cards were expected to go out June 19.

OTB retirees who live out of state can become eligible by establishing residency in New York, but they must remain a resident to receive the new benefit. However, they may be eligible for Medicaid in the state in which they reside. Proof of residency is required when applying and applicants must report any change of address to NYS Medicaid at 1-800-541-2831.

COBRA benefits are not included in OTB Retiree NYS Medicaid Health Coverage.

Co-pays are from 50 cents to $3 for doctor visits and prescriptions; $25 per hospital visit. Persons enrolled in Medicare Part D for prescription drugs will be responsible for all Part D co-pays.

Retirees who receive a pension from the New York City Employees' Retirement System (NYCERS) by check or by direct deposit and eligible vested employees have been contacted directly and were sent applications and detailed factsheets, DC 37 Political Director Wanda Williams said.

Williams urges eligible OTB retirees to submit enrollment applications; there is no application deadline. Health coverage started April 1. Applications are available at the DC 37 Political Action Office at 233 W. 135th Street in Manhattan. Applications may also be requested by calling the office at 212-470-8203 (until July) or the DC 37 Albany Political Action Office at 518-436-0665.