In an earlier Presslines, Independent mentioned there would be an increase in premiums. As you are aware, healthcare costs are continuing to increase with many companies receiving double digit increases year over year. Independent was fortunate to not have a premium increase for the current year as expenses remained flat. However, over the past five years the cost of health insurance has risen 54 percent. This persistent rise has recently been attributed to the low out-of-pocket costs paid by consumers. The growth in spending has also been linked to the rising use of prescription drugs and new medical innovations and treatments.
Independent’s Health Plan showed a significant increase in claims activity; and, received an initial renewal increase of 24.66%. After numerous discussions, INI’s broker was able to deliver a renewal of 16%..
The plan design for the High Premium/Low Deductible Plan (now called the Buy-Up) will have an increase in premiums. The Low Premium/High Deductible Plan (now called the Base) will have an increase as well as changes in the plan design which are identified below. The change also sets the stage for a switch to a Qualified High Deductible Plan alongside a Health Savings Account (HSA) for plan year end 2018.
Medical:
For the 2016-2017 Plan Year, Independent will continue to subsidize the employee premium at a significant percentage in all levels. The dependent premium will be paid entirely by the employee. The smoker surcharge will continue to remain at 30%.
These plans offer in-network coverage only. There are no Out-of-Network benefits. Exclusive Provider Organization (EPO) members can access In-Network Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) providers anywhere in the nation. Both options carry the Affordable Care Act (ACA) out of pocket maximum of $6,850 (single)/$13,200 (family). The Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association's website bluecares.com provides online access to the most current listing of providers. EPO members can also find network providers by calling a BlueCard customer service representative at 800.810.BLUE (2583).
1. Base Plan (Low premium/High Deductible Option) is an EPO plan with the following plan design changes:
* Deductible increases from $2,500/$5,000 to $3,000/$6,000
* ER Room Visit changes from 80% after deductible to $250 co-pay (waived if admitted)
*Office co-pay changes from $25 to $35
*Specialist co-pay decreases from $50 to $45
*Routine diagnostic was 80% after deductible, now will have a co-pay of $35
* Prescription drug co-payments changes from $20/$60/$80 to $15/$75/$100
This plan’s design is to foster better understanding of medical costs and the value of discounts prior to making our health care choices. Preventive care will continue to be covered at 100%, the deductible will not apply. The costs are:
*Regular per pay period premium for medical & prescription coverage will be -
*$80 for Employee only
* $376 for Employee + Child(ren)
* $674 for Employee + Spouse
* $886 for Family.
*$80 for Employee only
* $376 for Employee + Child(ren)
* $674 for Employee + Spouse
* $886 for Family.
*There is a 30% discount for non-tobacco users. Those per pay period premiums will be -
*$62 for Employee only
*$289 for Employee + Child(ren)
*$518 for Employee Spouse
*$682 for Family.
*$62 for Employee only
*$289 for Employee + Child(ren)
*$518 for Employee Spouse
*$682 for Family.
2. Buy-Up Plan (High Premium/Low Deductible): The Buy-Up Plan is also an EPO which has a deductible of $500 for employee only coverage and $1,500 for employees covering their dependents as well . Preventive care will continue to be covered at 100%, the deductible will not apply. The costs are:
-- The regular per pay premium will be -
* $149 for Employee only
* $448 for Employee + Child (ren),
*$796 for Employee +spouse
* $1,045 for Family.
* $149 for Employee only
* $448 for Employee + Child (ren),
*$796 for Employee +spouse
* $1,045 for Family.
-- The tobacco-free discount (30% discount) per pay period will be -
*$115 for Employee only,
*$344 for Employee + Child(ren)
*$612 for Employee + spouse
*$803 for Family.
*$115 for Employee only,
*$344 for Employee + Child(ren)
*$612 for Employee + spouse
*$803 for Family.
To help control your out-of-pocket costs, we encourage employees and dependents to take advantage of the Plan’s preventive benefits. Your annual physical, for example, is 100% covered --- with no co-pay or deductible cost to you. Schedule your annual physical and follow the plan’s guidelines for staying healthy. Please also note that if you purchase Voluntary Accident Insurance, you will receive a reimbursement of $50 for seeing your Physician for an Annual Physical!
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Dental: The Plan’s carrier is United Concordia, a subsidiary of HighmarkDE. Orthodontic care has been added to the dental plan with slight changes in the dental premium.
The bi-weekly premiums for the optional dental plan are:
$12 (from $14) - Employee only
$24 (from $21) - Employee child(ren)
$29 (from $31) - Employee spouse
$39 (from $37) - Family
Voluntary Accident Coverage – The Plan’s carrier is Reliance Standard. This coverage is 100% employee paid. The bi-weekly premium remains unchanged for the optional Accident Coverage plan: Employee Only: $7.50, Employee + Spouse: $12.00, Employee + Child(ren): $15.50, Family: $20.50
Life Insurance and Long Term Disability – There are no changes in the rates for life and long term disability insurances. Any changes in your rate are as a result of your age and salary change respectively.
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Health Advocate - Health Advocate services continue to be available to you, your family and extended family. For extended family members to utilize this service, they need only to reference they are your relative who is employed by Independent Newsmedia. Health Advocate can assist you and your family with issues ranging from understanding an Explanation Of Benefit (EOB) statement, to assistance in finding daycare. Health Advocate can also assist with matters related to claim denials/appeals, locating a Physician and can even schedule the appointment for you. In the current landscape of Healthcare, everyone can use a little help. Health Advocate is there for you to do so, at no cost to you.
Independent’s Benefits Consultants will be conducting Q&A webinars July 19th, 20th, and 21st. We encourage employees to participate in a Webinar, as this is your opportunity to ask questions about your benefit package, how to handle claims issues, understand how to navigate the ever changing healthcare system. The times are shown below. Please note - if you dial in and there is a discussion in progress, the moderator will kindly ask for your personal information and will set aside a time that works for you to dial-in again.
Please review the open webinar schedule. For those who may have questions, choose the session that bests fits your schedule. You will be able to ask INI’s broker questions about the benefits. The webinar invite link will be sent through email blasts. If you do not receive a notification for a session you wish to attend, contact inipayroll@newszap.com.
Schedule:
Tuesday: July 19th – 1 pm – 4 pm
Wednesday: July 20th – 9 am to noon
Friday: July 22nd: 10 am – 2 pm
Dial-in 888-549-3557
Code 2056163
PIN 2751
You only need to re-enroll if you wish to make a change to your current selections. If you do not make changes during Open Enrollment, the only other time you may do so is if you experience a Qualifying Life Event (QLE). A QLE includes: Birth or Adoption of a child, Death, Divorce, Court ordered coverage, Marriage, or an extraordinary change in financial status. The Self Service Open Enrollment site will be available from July 18th– July 27th.
[ClickHERE to log onto Ceridian Self Service for open enrollment. The ENROLLMENT flag that appears at the top will continue to display until open enrollment ends.]
