2009 Employee Contribution Survey

Bankers Cooperative Group, Inc. (BCG) is pleased to provide you the results of the 2009 Employee Contribution Survey.  The results were tabulated from the responses received from fifty (50) New Jersey Bankers Association member institutions during the month of August 2009.  You will find the results presented in both the aggregate for all institutions and further categorized according to six asset groupings.  Comparisons are also made where appropriate to the 2008 Employee Contribution Survey.  The number of respondents by asset category is as follows:

                                    Less than $100M                    8

                                    $100M - $199M                      8

                                    $200M - $299M                      9

                                    $300M - $499M                      7

                                    $500M - $1B                           7

                                    Greater than $1B                   11        

The 2009 Employee Contribution Survey was expanded from the prior year to also include contribution levels for both retiree and director classifications.  Additionally, the survey results also provide insight into base medical plan types offered by respondents, the minimum number of works hours required for medical plan eligibility, the offering of cash compensation for waiving medical coverage, and the popularity of flexible spending account (FSA) offerings.

Please contact us with any questions.  We would appreciate any feedback so that we may build upon the current structure and improve next year’s survey.

BCG is the leading provider of employee benefit programs and administration for New Jersey’s financial institutions.  Please see the enclosed brochure for a complete listing of BCG’s products and services.

Thank you to all institutions who participated in the survey.

We appreciate and look forward to servicing your future insurance needs.

                                                                                    Sincerely,

                                                                                    Richard Siderko

                                                                                    President/CEO

Click here to see the survey results.

Effective July 1, 2009: Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) becomes participating provider for both UnitedHealthcare and Oxford platforms

We are pleased to announce that as of July 1, 2009, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) will become a participating provider for both UnitedHealthcare and Oxford platforms. This includes MSKCC’s facilities in New York City and its five outpatient facilities on Long Island, in Westchester County and in New Jersey and its physicians.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center

As one of the world's premier cancer centers, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center (MSKCC) is committed to exceptional patient care, leading-edge research and superb educational programs. The close collaboration between their physicians and scientists is one of their unique strengths, enabling them to provide patients with a highly-regarded level of care as they work to discover more effective strategies to prevent, control and ultimately cure cancer in the future.

What does this mean for participants in the NJBA sponsored Oxford healthcare program?

Beginning July 1, 2009, members and their dependents in either the Oxford Freedom or Liberty networks will be able to seek care from MSKCC on an in-network basis. Copayments, coinsurance and/or deductibles will be applied as with any other medical service provided by a network provider.

What if members are currently receiving care, or are scheduled to receive care from MSKCC through another program?

Beginning July 1, 2009, if members are currently receiving care from MSKCC, or are scheduled to receive care in the future, they will be able to utilize MSKCC on an in-network basis.

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Please see the most updated release (at press time) from United Healthcare about the swine flu situation.  If you are a participant in the Association-sponsored healthcare program and have any questions about insurance coverage with respect to the swine flu, please contact Janice Besso-Tamecki at ext. 608.

United Healthcare would like to provide brokers, their clients and their employees with an update on the ongoing H1N1 Influenza (swine flu) situation.

Current Situation

Most regions of the US have now reported positive cases of the H1N1 Flu, including one death.  The latest comments from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest that the situation still remains fluid, although recent news reports suggest the trend in new cases and deaths may have temporarily leveled off.

At the same time, there is speculation that the World Health Organization (WHO) is likely to raise the pandemic alert from the current level of 5 to a level 6, its highest rating.  It is important to know that this potential change is defined as outbreaks in at least two regions of the world.  It does not in any way refer to the severity of the virus.

Given the rapidly evolving nature of this situation, we strongly encourage individuals to visit the CDC Website for the latest information and clinical guidance.

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2009 CIGNA EMPLOYEE ASSISTANCE PROGRAM

CIGNA also offers Telephone Seminars on a variety of topics useful to your employees as well as offerings for Human Resource Managers.  Click here for a listing.

You may also find this on CIGNA'S website at www.cignabehavioral.com under the Benefits Managers section.