As previously reported, the annual enrollment period for those eligible to receive the daily meal per diem in lieu of actual and necessary meal expenses was the month of November. Those making such an election are now covered under the meal per diem option for the calendar year 2024.
As indicated in our last newsletter, the initial daily payment was to be 59.95/day, subject to biannual changes in the CPI-W index. Due to the 1.45% increase in CPI between April and October of 2023, the daily meal per diem amount for those making that election will be $60.80 when the agreement takes effect on 1/1/24. This amount will again be adjusted on June 1, 2024, to reflect the percentage change in CPI from October 2023 – April 2024.