Retirees flooding dental and vision offices as benefits run out
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John Haffery has his eyes measured during a test with an auto refkeratometer at Eyeworks in Janesville.
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The image of John Haffery's eye appears on the screen of an auto refkeratometer as his eyes were measured at Eyeworks in Janesville.
JANESVILLE — The first thing John Haffery did when he found out about changes to his GM retiree benefits was call his eye doctor and dentist.
“The minute I found out about (the changes), I called up and said, ‘I’ve got to get in here,’” he said as he picked up new glasses Wednesday at Eyeworks, 1305 Excalibur Drive, Janesville.
He wasn’t the only one.
Local dental and vision offices are booked solid as GM retirees rush to get in one last check-up before losing vision and dental benefits July 1.
“These past couple of weeks have just been crazy,” said Sherri Radtke, dental assistant at Milton Dental Center, 42 Merchant Row, Milton. “We’ve been trying to get as many in as we could and take care of what they need.”
The United Auto Workers approved a new contract with GM on May 29 that, among other things, eliminates some retiree benefits. The move affects about 2,100 retirees in the Janesville area and 4,200 Wisconsin retirees, according to UAW estimates.
The calls started flooding Dr. Lloyd Smith’s dental office, 1111 Suffolk Drive, Janesville, in early June, said Diann Wurtz, accounts manager.
Employees have been working through their lunch hours and coming in half an hour early to accommodate the retirees and their families, she said.
The office called its affected patients, Wurtz said. Some had been putting off work until the end of the year so as not to use up all their benefits early in the year. Now, they’re rushing to get that work done.
Some patients are concerned about losing their benefits, Wurtz said. They’ve been asking if they can go longer between check-ups, and the office has been handing out flyers about the importance of regular dental care.
“Some of them have always had dental benefits,” she said. “It’ll be a period of adjustment for them.”
Haffery said he’ll still try to get dental cleanings twice a year, but he might cut back on vision check-ups or other work.
“If I have to pay out of pocket, I’m going to have to pick and choose when I go to the dentist and have my eyes (checked),” he said.
He’s also concerned about having to change eye doctors or dentists if the UAW finds a different plan for retirees.
“Obviously I’m not happy about it, but obviously it’s just something you’ve got to roll with the punches,” he said.
Eyeworks is working on a special program for GM retirees to help them make up for the loss of benefits, owner Tom Truppe said.
The office also has temporarily increased its time for eye exams from 2.5 to 3.5 days a week.
Truppe and other providers said they plan to take care of the retirees after they lose their benefits and hope they continue with regular dental and vision care.
“We’ve been so fortunate to have GM in our town, and I’m sure the dentists will take care of their patients as well as they can,” Smith said.
Jun 29, 2009 at 6:47 p.m.
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Wow...some kind of hostility, hannah. I guess I am a real creep for caring about what happens to my parents and their health care. Sure, they "still" have medical insurance but I am pretty sure that will be chipped away at as well along with the pension - leaving less money to pay for supplemental dental etc. Anyways, again, my apologies for "crying" about the loss of some of my parents' source of support. Have a good day.
Jun 28, 2009 at 8:53 p.m.
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I too would like to thank the local offices that have extended hours, allowed people to come in before/after hours, and those who have tirelessly worked through breaks and lunches to help accomodate GM retirees. It has been heartbreaking to watch my parents, who live on GM pension, attempt to finish getting dentures, cleanings, glasses, etc. with only a month's notice. They also worry about future potential cuts to the pension plan and have already been warned of further reductions in health coverage...and how terrible because my parents are just now getting to the age where dental/vision/health problems are more prevalent than ever. Again, thank you to local businesses that have extended their time, and that will hopefully continue to extend a helping hand to ALL who are struggling at this time.
Jun 28, 2009 at 6:36 p.m.
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While I feel for them all, hubby and I have been without dental or vision since he had to retire. Add a $700+ a month health insurance cost that we have to pay, and all I can say is.. nothing I guess. I feel for everybody who is losing insurance or has no insurance or has to pay a huge amount each month. That covers an awful lot of people.
Jun 28, 2009 at 6:16 p.m.
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My heart goes out to these folks who spent their lives building America only to be cast off. Something Stinks in America and it is coming from on high. Greed and Political jousting has claimed yet again more innocent victims. Now they are going to be subjected to GOV care and it don't work! I know I have been on it for 10 years and the patient suffers a lot.
Keep Strong Janesville and lean on each other for strength. Unity is our Strength.
Jun 28, 2009 at 6:09 p.m.
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I'm very pleased that these offices are helping out the retirees, and it's awful that they will be losing their benefits. Hopefully these offices will also be inclined to take on new patients with no insurance as well
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