Pension Office News | March 2018
The 2018 April COLA for LEOFF I retirees has been officially announced by DRS. It is:
- April 2, 2017 – March 31, 2018 0.00%
- January 1, 2017 – April 1, 2017 3.32%
- April 2, 2016 – December 31, 2016 5.68%
- Prior to April 2, 2016 3.32%
- Board policy regarding bed/mattress purchases effective 1-1-2017: Durable Medical Equipment, if prescribed by a Physician for use in your home – Durable Medical Equipment (DME) must be used for medical reasons and must not usually be useful to someone who is not sick or injured. The type of Durable Medical Equipment that this plan may cover includes but is not limited to: Air fluidized hospital beds, blood glucose monitors, commode chairs, crutches, home oxygen equipment and supplies, hospital beds, infusion pumps, nebulizers, patient lifts to lift patients from beds or wheelchairs, suction pumps, traction equipment, walkers, and wheelchairs. The Police Pension has a preferred medical equipment supplier – Ron Santana at Home Health Solutions 1-800-251-7911. Members are encouraged to call the Pension Office before ordering major medical supplies if possible. The Pension Office will not cover retail beds, they must be a DMW hospital bed/mattress. This change was mailed out in your benefits booklet in the Spring of 2017.
- Hearing aids must be provided through a licensed doctor/audiologist to be covered by your benefit. Check your benefits booklet. Your provider should verify your benefits with UMR prior to you receiving your hearing instruments. See the number on the back of your UMR card.
- If you exceed your medical limit for benefits, such as hearing aids, eye glasses, cataract lenses, massage fees, etc., you are responsible for the excess. So be sure to check your benefits before signing a personal contract (agreeing to pay) with a provider for whatever amount is being charged.
New Retirements
Penny Randall #3861, retired on February 28, 2018 after being the South Precinct’s Admin for 46 years. During these years, she trained innumerable captains and lieutenants how to run a precinct. Good luck Penny!
Wives & Widows
Lucille Hughlitt, surviving wife of deceased retired Seattle Police Lieutenant John Hughlitt #1011 passed away on March 3, 2018 at the age of 95.