News
CDC Guidelines for First Responders Links
Division of Pensions and Benefits, SHBP/SEHBP COVID-19 Response
Division of Pensions and Benefits, SHBP/SEHBP COVID-19 Response The Division of Pensions and Benefits, together with our vendor partners Aetna, Horizon BCBSNJ, and OptumRx, are taking action to ensure that State Health Benefits (SHBP) and School Employees Health Benefits (SEHBP) members have the support and resources they need during the COVID-19 situation, which remains dynamic and evolving. The Division of Pension and Benefits has advised the Third Party Administrator for the SHBP and SEHBP that, effective immediately, all cost sharing for emergency room (in or out of network hospitals), urgent care (in network), or provider office visits (in network) associated with medically necessary testing for COVID-19 are to be waived. The Third Party Administrator has been directed to inform contracted providers about the waiving of cost sharing. The Pharmacy Benefit Manager has been directed, effective immediately, to lessen restrictions on early refill for Rx on maintenance medications so that individuals have access to medically necessary medications without waiting until the end of prescription cycle.
Ernest O. Ousley Scholarship Award Winners Announced
The NJ FMBA Scholarship Committee is pleased to announce the recipients of this year's Ernest 0. Ousley Memorial Scholarship. We are grateful to the members of the Selection Committee for their commitment to our program. Unfortunately, due to the current public health crisis, we will not be holding a presentation ceremony.
Passing of Passaic Firefighter, Local 13 member, Israel Tolentino
Israel Tolentino, rest easy brother.
Earlier today we received the devastating news that Passaic Firefighter Local 13 member Israel Tolentino lost his life to COVID-19, coronavirus.
We can’t provide him with a true firefighter’s funeral. We can’t have hundreds of firefighters at his house playing with his children and consoling his wife and family. We can’t have food sent to a grieving family and friends because no one can gather. We couldn’t spend time with him in the hospital when he took his final breaths because no visitors are allowed.