The city was sued by retirees and Aetna after it awarded the Medicare contract to Alliance, a consortium that includes Anthem/Blue Cross Blue Shield and Emblem Health. The retirees called the new plan a “significant diminution” of their previous benefits.
The Oct. 31 deadline for retirees to opt out of the new plan was temporarily halted by a judge. The pause did not affect the city awarding its contract to Alliance.
The latest ruling approves the new plan, but gives retirees until March 31 to opt out. If a retiree opts out, they can maintain their current insurance for $200 more per month, according to CBS New York.
