Disability Committee Meeting

DISABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING - JULY 7, 2006 By Joe Flynn The Disability Committee met on July 7, 2006 with six disability cases and one report on the agenda. The report was an "Update on the re-examination and affidavit Project" by Sheila Jacobs, Associate Counsel for SDCERS and Sandra Claussen, Medical Review officer. A detailed report is being prepared for the next Board meeting which will include the policy governing the review and the number of cases reviewed to date. This project was directed by the Board to verify that those non-service eligible disability retirees still meet the requirements of the disability retirement. This review is necessary to combat fraud. Reports had been received that individuals retired on disability, unable to meet the requirements of their job with the City, but were in fact doing the same job in another state. These reports must be investigated. In addition, a report issued by a committee under the City Manager's auspices last year, pointed out that the disability follow-up reviews required by the Municipal Code were not being conducted. The process now underway involves a questionnaire being mailed to these individuals requesting up to date medical information. Where questions arise, physical re-examinations may be required. To date, 10 such re-exams have been scheduled. Rumors were circulating that retirees would have to return to San Diego, at their own expense, for these exams. This is not true. For out of state retirees, these exams may be conducted by doctors in the retiree's location who are under contract with SDCERS. Another issue for the affected retirees was the extent of medical information that is required; was it all medical information, or mainly the medical information which pertained to the injury/condition which warranted the disability retirement. The committee discussed this issue expressing varying viewpoints and did not reach a consensus or make a recommendation to the full Board. This issue will be discussed at the next Board meeting on July 21, 2006 starting at 8:30 AM. Come early, its festival seating. Joe Flynn, Retiree Rep. to the Board ****** Post Script to original message *********** Retirees: Some clarifications/corrections are necessary for the email I sent you on the Disability Committee. 1. I mentioned that 10 re-exams are underway; that's true, but they are not the result of the questionnaires that are being sent out. These were on-going cases where information had been received by SDCERS indicating a change in the non service eligible disability retiree's status. The process was underway before any questionnaires were sent out. 2. I wanted to emphasize that the Municipal Code and the Board Rules require updates on these disability retirees. In addition, the audit conducted by Mercer in 2004, noted this failure to follow up, in their review. 3. The issue of how much corollary medical information is needed in response to the questionnaires will not be discussed at the next SDCERS Board meeting. It will first go back to the next Disability Committee meeting for their review and discussion. If interested, you will have an opportunity to speak on the issue - at least three minutes worth. After that, it will go back to the full Board with a recommendation from the Committee. One other thing; I was correct about the festival seating; so come early and get a good seat. Joe Flynn, Retiree Rep. to the Board.
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DISABILITY COMMITTEE MEETING - JULY 7, 2006
By Joe Flynn

The Disability Committee met on July 7, 2006 with six disability cases and one report on the agenda. The report was an "Update on the re-examination and affidavit Project" by Sheila Jacobs, Associate Counsel for SDCERS and Sandra Claussen, Medical Review officer. A detailed report is being prepared for the next Board meeting which will include the policy governing the review and the number of cases reviewed to date. This project was directed by the Board to verify that those non-service eligible disability retirees still meet the requirements of the disability retirement. This review is necessary to combat fraud. Reports had been received that individuals retired on disability, unable to meet the requirements of their job with the City, but were in fact doing the same job in another state. These reports must be investigated. In addition, a report issued by a committee under the City Manager's auspices last year, pointed out that the disability follow-up reviews required by the Municipal Code were not being conducted.

The process now underway involves a questionnaire being mailed to these individuals requesting up to date medical information. Where questions arise, physical re-examinations may be required. To date, 10 such re-exams have been scheduled.

Rumors were circulating that retirees would have to return to San Diego, at their own expense, for these exams. This is not true. For out of state retirees, these exams may be conducted by doctors in the retiree's location who are under contract with SDCERS.

Another issue for the affected retirees was the extent of medical information that is required; was it all medical information, or mainly the medical information which pertained to the injury/condition which warranted the disability retirement. The committee discussed this issue expressing varying viewpoints and did not reach a consensus or make a recommendation to the full Board. This issue will be discussed at the next Board meeting on July 21, 2006 starting at 8:30 AM.

Come early, its festival seating.

Joe Flynn, Retiree Rep. to the Board

******** Post Script to original message *************

Retirees: Some clarifications/corrections are necessary for the email I sent you on the Disability Committee.

1. I mentioned that 10 re-exams are underway; that's true, but they are not the result of the questionnaires that are being sent out. These were on-going cases where information had been received by SDCERS indicating a change in the non service eligible disability retiree's status. The process was underway before any questionnaires were sent out.

2. I wanted to emphasize that the Municipal Code and the Board Rules require updates on these disability retirees. In addition, the audit conducted by Mercer in 2004, noted this failure to follow up, in their review.

3. The issue of how much corollary medical information is needed in response to the questionnaires will not be discussed at the next SDCERS Board meeting. It will first go back to the next Disability Committee meeting for their review and discussion. If interested, you will have an opportunity to speak on the issue - at least three minutes worth.

After that, it will go back to the full Board with a recommendation from the Committee.

One other thing; I was correct about the festival seating; so come early and get a good seat.

Joe Flynn, Retiree Rep. to the Board.

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