Joe Wooten, Manager of Customer Experience for OMES, was the guest speaker at the Kingfisher County Retired Educators Association meeting held on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Kingfisher Memorial Library. Wooten has served as manager for many years and brings a wealth of experience and knowledge to his position. He welcomed the opportunity to visit with the group regarding upcoming changes to the insurance plans for the 2025 year.
Wooten explained that Health Choice will not be increasing the cost of their monthly premiums in 2025. He stated that Medicare would be making changes to their pharmacy plan costs, but he did not have that information to share with the group as that information would not be released until the end of October 2024.
According to Wooten, “Baby Boomers” are very loyal to their health care providers and insurance plans and are reluctant to leave or make changes to their existing plans. However, it is still worth noting that retirees might want to review their existing insurance plan options with OMES to ensure they are getting the best plan available.
For example, retirees who take two or fewer medications per month might benefit from switching from the Health Choice High Choice option to the Health Choice Low Choice option as the out-of-pocket expenses will be lower. Health Choice High Choice option covers more medications in the Tier Two category than any other health insurance plan.
In other meeting news, LaRita Cerny reported that twenty-two members had paid their dues for the 2024-2025 meeting year. She also reminded the group that School Appreciation Week would be celebrated the week of November 13-15, 2024. KCREA will provide popcorn and candy to school teacher lounges during that week.
The next meeting will be held on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. at the Kingfisher Memorial Library. Guest speakers will be State Senator Darcy Jech and Oklahoma State Representative Mike Dobrinski. All members are encouraged to attend.
Information and pictures provided by Deborah Maehs.
