Retirees' Newsletter
Faculty and Librarian Retirees' Association, University of Windsor

Nov/Dec .1994 Issue 10

OTHER NOTES FROM THE FALL GENERAL MEETING

"MEDEX? WHASSAT?"

FLORIDA'S HOSPITALS STILL DON'T GET IT

MAYBE it's part of the sunshine state's ongoing program to demote tourism. Whatever... It seems that many Florida hosptials now won't recognize our Medex coverage, demanding their money up front.

Jim Skinner told this to our Fall meeting. Generally, all other U.S. states and European countries do recognize Medex. But not to worry. If you happen to get stuck in Florida's medical maw, try to smile and pay up. Medex will re-imburse you on your return.

IN HOSPITAL /

TELL THEM CLEARLY WHAT COVERAGE YOU HAVE

HOSPITALS make mistakes too. If you are to get what you're entitled to, and not be wrongly billed, be sure to point out clearly to the hospital that you have extended health and semi-private coverage. That too from Jim Skinner, of the University's Human Resources Department.

PRESCRIPTION DRUGS: /

WILL THEY BE THE ACHILLES' HEEL OF OUR HEALTH PLAN?

JUST AS ONTARIO is dropping out of drug coverage for seniors, drug prices and premiums are skyrocketing. The result? Real trouble for our members who need regular drug treatment.

"ADVERSE SELECTION" (a buzz-word used by actuaries) seems to be the villain. Norm Shklov explains it on p.3. What it comes down to is that drug coverage under our Green Shield Plan is simply not economical for most of us, even those of us who may encounter pretty substantial costs for prescription drugs.

IN RECENT discussions with the Assocn's Executive, Jim Skinner agreed to intensify his ongoing search for a better deal, including inviting tenders. Let's hope he succeeds. High drug costs are more and more like an Achilles' heel to our whole health plan.

PREMIUM INCREASES /

EXPECT INCREASES IN SEMI-PRIVATE COVERAGE

Jim Skinner told the Fall meeting such increases are certain. For one thing, it seems that levies on people who want to stay out of the wards are one of only two ways the hospitals can make money. The other is parking charges, and those went out of sight years ago!

CONSTITUTIONAL CHANGES /

TWO MINOR CHANGES WERE APPROVED

THE MEETING approved two minor changes in the Constitution. Under these, the Immediate Past President of the Association, and the Editor of The Retirees' Newsletter, are now members ex officio of the Executive Committee.

ROSE LIMARZI, Manager of the Faculty Club, came to the meeting, to assure members of a warm welcome at the Faculty Club Dining Room. All special prices available to faculty are available to our members as well, she said.

BURSARY FUND /

DONATION WILL HONOUR DECEASED MEMBERS

When a member of the Association dies, a donation will be made to honour his or her memory, to the Retirees' Bursary Fund. Members who had died prior to the Fund being set up, have been similarly honoured. These were Florence Roach, Geo. Neal, Lillian McCarthy, Temple Kingston, John Sullivan, Gil Horne, Amrit Lall, and Ken Rutherford.

Page one (Issue index)Next page