The MTA's switch mechanism

To the editor:

As a retired transit worker, I have received the letter which officially informs us of the change in our health coverage. Those in the Aetna OPPO Basic Option will be automatically switched to the Medicare Advantage Option 1 plan on Jan. 1 unless we apply for Option 2. In plain English, this means those of us, including myself, who have straight Medicare with Aetna as the secondary provider will be switched from that whether we like it or not.

Also enclosed is the MTA 2024 Enrollment/Change form, that if filled out will enroll you in Option 2. Though Option 2 is touted by the union as superior, there is no explanation as to why that is not the plan that we would automatically be switched to.

I suspect that the union and management, who are in collusion on this issue, have done this for legal reasons. Those who are automatically switched to a plan without their consent can argue against this if there is a legal challenge. We can also act to get back our Medicare if the amendment to Social Security law forbidding the involuntary switching of retirees from Medicare to Medicare Advantage, introduced by Representatives Nicole Malliotakis and Ritchie Torres, is enacted.

But it can be argued that those who filled out the form for Option 2, based on the union's hype of the plan, were not involuntarily switched.

These Medicare Advantage plans are supposed to save the MTA money. That part I can believe. But they are supposed to provide more services to us for less money. This includes benefits that neither I, nor many others, want.

So the only one who would be losing money under this is Aetna? When did they switch from being a for-profit company to a charity?

Richard Warren