Transcripts now available for OPERS videos
The Ohio Public Employees Retirement System in recent years has been increasingly using video communication. Now, those who watch our videos can read along with the transcripts and watch the dialogue via closed captioning.
OPERS has translated most of the videos stored on our YouTube channel dating back to the beginning of 2015. Some members have requested this service, and we intend to provide the readable scripts on an ongoing basis.
To turn on closed captioning while watching a video, click the small “CC” button near the bottom right corner of the video window on YouTube. As the video plays, the spoken words appear in a small box near the bottom of the video screen. To turn off closed captioning, simply click the button again.
If you’d like to read a transcript of the video, you’ll find a link in the description box that appears under the video title. This is the box that begins with the published date of the video. Click on “Show More” to reveal the full video description. There, you’ll find a link to the transcript, which requires Adobe Reader software.
You can click on the link to read the transcript, or right-click on the link to save the transcript to your computer.
Michael Pramik
Michael Pramik is communication strategist for the Ohio Public Employees Retirement System and editor of the PERSpective blog. As an experienced business journalist, he clarifies complex pension policies and helps members make smart choices to secure their retirement.
Thank you!! I would much rather read for the details than to watch a whole video.
I viewed all of the videos and found them to be an excellent source of information along with the seminars that OPERS conducted. My recollection however was that the automatic reimbursement for medical and prescription once set up would be a matter of a few days. What is OPERS expectation? How long should it take for “automatic” reimbursement for the medical insurance and for the prescription insurance?
Gary,
The initial automatic reimbursement of both medical and prescription premiums was pegged at 6-8 weeks by OneExchange. After that, the reimbursements were to be made much closer to the beginning of the month, or shortly after they were paid. There is some variance because of the multitude of plans that are available, and we have documented some initial delay in the process.
–Ohio PERS
Florida Blue Cross reimburses quickly generally in a week or so. My prescription plan First Health however takes forever. They “took” the money from my checking account on May 10th. I am still waiting for the reimbursement. First Health regularly takes 20-25 days. I called One Exchange and they simply repeated everything I already knew. I asked for escalation and was promised last Wednesday that a supervisor would call me. Still waiting for that call. I hope to get reimbursed BEFORE the next payment is deducted from my checking account. Not sure what I can do about it but this is unacceptable to me and I hope to OPERS.
Gary,
We will ask OneExchange to call you. But if I understand this correctly, your complaint is with First Health not reimbursing promptly enough. Did you call First Health? If so, did the company’s representatives offer any explanation of the process?
–Ohio PERS
I did call First Health yesterday (June 7) talked with Carman and she had to check with accounts receivable and they would call me back. Also while I was out today One Exchange called and of course would not talk with my wife and wanted my wife to verify birth date etc.,etc to even “leave a message.” She said leave a message and again they would not do that without my wife verifying information. Give me a break someone from One Exchange cannot even leave a name and phone number?
By the way today is June 8th and I am still waiting for reimbursement for First Health since May 10th. TOO LONG!
Gary,
As stated earlier, we have asked OneExchange to get in touch with you. They have strict guidelines to prevent fraud, and one of those is that they have to speak with the member or someone that the member previously has designated as a proxy.
–Ohio PERS
Case is closed. I set up direct payment from my checking account and One Exchange tells me the companies have 4 to 6 weeks to reimburse unless I want to go on an annual reoccurring payment method. That time frame is just ridiculous. I was just reimbursed TODAY June 9th for the payment “taken” on May 10th. The June payment will be taken from my checking account most likely tomorrow so effectively I will not be reimbursed! All I am getting is bureaucratic mumbo jumbo from First Health, from One Exchange and not any real satisfaction from OPERS. I give up it is not worth the fight. It is however wrong it falls far short of my expectations and I am sorry that no one is interested in customer service.
Gary,
Thanks for the note. Some companies do take longer to make reimbursements. It does seem to vary by provider.
–Ohio PERS
my health insurance company is slow in me getting reimbursed somtimes it is eary and sometimes it’s near the end of the month. it does’t make any since to have to wait this long when they take it out of your checking on the fifth of the month.
For those of us who were not eligible for free Medicare A & who are first dealing with our HRA accounts: are we going to see the $300 initial deposit in our HRA accounts? I understand that those who enrolled effective 1/1/16 received this deposit at the first of the year. My HRA account shows that my monthly allowance for July has been deposited, but as of 7/6 there is no $300 deposit. Can you clarify?
Good morning! For retirees that do not have premium-free Medicare Part A, the $300 additional yearly deposit will arrive over the next few weeks.
(The deposit could not occur until after the plan effective date of July 1st). Thank you for reaching out.
-Ohio PERS