On Feb, 13, POB leadership and constituents had a chance to vent some of their frustrations and problems to the Commissioners at the HSS meeting at City Hall. This portion of the meeting went on for almost an hour. You can watch the proceedings here.
For many of the Commissioners, it was the first time they were hearing about our issues.
In just the past few months, we already have heard from well over 100 retirees about the range of problems they’re having getting the care they were promised. Some are very serious, others very concerning. Despite assurances of a “seamless transition” members are reaching out to us panicked about crucial treatments like chemotherapy, planned surgeries and even pain relief treatments being denied.
Some of our out-of-state retirees are finding that their doctors don’t accept BSC. Prescriptions are another problem area – either being denied, the number of pills being slashed, and copays tripling.
Each time POB has stepped in to address these problems on a case-by-case basis, but this system will not last. We need a guarantee of coverage that needs to be enacted immediately. The HSS Board cannot be derelict in its duties. We expected them to address these inequities immediately.
POB continues to be your watchdogs for the 19,100 of you who are affected by this transition. We will not go quietly. If you’re having problems, let us know. Fill out the form on our website, or email us here.