News

Click HERE to view the complete text of the proposed DROP-2 Legislation for which a Council Committee Hearing is scheduled on November 9, 2006 at 5:00pm. The report generated by Committee from this Hearing will subsequently be acted upon by the Council as a whole in Second and Third Readings for final action. The legislation will then be forward to the Mayor for signing and ultimate enactment.

OPEN ENROLLMENT HAS A NEW LOOK

This year’s open enrollment for the City of Baltimore will have an entirely new look! While the look has changed, the focus has not. This year’s package will provide employees and their dependents with comprehensive benefits and deliver benefit services in the most efficient way possible. This year’s enrollment takes place from November 20, 2006 through December 1, 2006.

WHAT’S NEW FOR 2007

All active employees will be able to enroll online. Retired members can enroll online or by phone.

You must sign on to the employee benefits website to make changes to benefit plans for 2007 and to add, change or delete dependents. The website has been designed to be secure and user friendly. You may make changes on the website as often as you like during open enrollment. The site will be open 24 hours/day and 7 days/week during the open enrollment period.

Be sure that your home address is current in order to receive the personalized enrollment material containing your website ID number and PIN number. Your material will include a personalized enrollment worksheet showing your benefit options and cost for 2007.

Find useful information online. Link to health plans, provider directories, visit the Forms Library, and view your dependent information.

WHAT’S NOT NEW

If you do not need to make changes to your benefits, you will retain your current plans in 2007 at the new rates. However – you must enroll for certain coverage each year. This includes: waiver credits, dependent care FSA, and certifying college students. All employees will receive a confirmation statement in early December confirming 2007 benefits, dependent information and 2007 costs.

The City will hold two days of Health Fairs for active employees at the War Memorial Building on November 9, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on November 10, 2006 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Don’t miss the opportunity to come and visit health care vendors, get FREE gifts and ask questions. Computer access will be available at the fair if you need to enroll there.

Can’t find a computer? Need help logging on? Computers are always available at your local library or stop by the Employee Benefits Division located at 201 E. Baltimore Street, Suite 500. Staff of the Employee Benefits Division will be available to provide computer assistance and/or answer questions.

The Open Enrollment period is upon us and it is very important that you read all of the literature that is being mailed to you. You should receive information from the following providers: CareFirst, Optimum Choice, Fidelity and Kaiser Permanente. Fidelity is accepting new members this year, but has been bought out by United HealthCare and will not be a choice during next years Open Enrollment. If you currently have Fidelity as a provider and would like to remain with them this year you do not need to make any changes. The Fidelity representatives have stated that there will be another choice next year under the United HealthCare umbrella, but they do not at this time know who or how it will be developed. They have assured us that the new provider will mirror the Fidelity plan with new enhancements. I was assured by the Fidelity representative that Fidelity`s operation should not be adversely affected during this next year. It is my opinion that you should read all materials at your disposal and make the most educated decision in regards to what is best for your family. If you have any questions regarding either of the providers mentioned above, please refer to the Executive Board site and click on Secretary and click on the area where all of the providers phone numbers and web addresses are located. If you need assistance don`t hesitate to call me at 443-629-0216.

Click HERE for June/July '04 Fire Officers Newsletter; you will need Adobe Reader to open and if you encounter any difficulties, please contact Mike Campbell or Steve Fugate via their pages herein to have a copy of the newsletter e-mailed directly to you.

On January 27, 2004, GEORGE J. "Butch" MERKLE, SR.; dear husband of the late Arla "Bunny", (nee Hardesty); beloved father of George J. Merkle, Jr., and Amelia Puderbaugh and the late Kenneth Merkle; loving brother of Joyce Hart, Robert and James Merkle; cherished grandfather of Tierney, Tawney, Tyler, Tyson, Arla and David Puderbaugh, IV, Candace, Christie, Michelle and Jennifer Merkle and Brandi and Josh Conner. A Memorial Service will be held at Heritage Community Church, 8146 Quarterfield Road, Severn, on Saturday at 1 P.M. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Hospice of the Chesapeake, 8424 Veterans Highway, Millersville, 21108. Arrangements by FINK FUNERAL HOME, P.A.

On January 22, 2004, MAYNARD E. WOLF, SR.; beloved husband of Audrey R. (nee Malinowski) Wolf; devoted father of Maynard E. Wolf, Jr. and his wife Lora; loving grandfather of Destini L. Wolf; dear brother of Elaine Hartlove. A Funeral Service will be held at the family owned Duda-Ruck Funeral Home of Dundalk, Inc., 7922 Wise Avenue, on Wednesday at 10 A.M. Interment Oak Lawn Cemetery. Friends may call on Tuesday from 3 to 5 and 7 to 9 P.M. Expressions of sympathy may be made to the American Heart Association, Memorial & Tribute Processing Center, P.O. Box 5216, Glen Allen, VA 23058-5216.

The Department's next Blood Drive will be conducted at the Fire Academy on Friday, January 23rd. from 1200 to 1800 hrs. As has become the custom, pit beef, pit ham and all the goodies will be provided as well as gift-bags for all participants. Please call Don Evans at 410.396.9984 to arrange for appointment.

It has come to our attention that the active member's share of Health Care costs, effective January 1, 2004, was apparently applied to checks payable January 6, 2004 which we believe to be a full pay period too soon. Article 11, Section A.2 clearly stipulates that the new, increased Health Care costs take effect January 1, 2004, and the aforementioned checks were for the period from 12/17/03 thru 12/30/03. We're certain that this was the result of some pre-emptive computerized adjustment made too quickly, and we're just as certain that the appropriate adjustment(s) will be made to correct the error.

We learned just today that the Retiree checks payable on Friday, January 2 include an inaccurate deduction for Maryland State income taxes. This will typically result in a marginally higher net amount on THIS CHECK only, but the "glitch" will be corrected with the next check issued. So... many of our retired members will receive a slightly higher "net" amount on January 2, but the correct deductions will resume with the January 16th. checks. Furthermore, it has been determined that there will be no "catch-up" deduction for Maryland State taxes and, as this is the first check of the taxable year, it is highly unlikely that anyone will suffer a shortfall of Maryland State taxes.