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| Updated 5/20/2011 |
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Great News for NJBankers Sponsored Delta Dental Participants
We are pleased to report there will be “NO RATE ADJUSTMENT” for the NJBankers-Sponsored Delta Dental Premier program renewal on July 1, 2011. Additionally, there will be “NO CHANGE IN BENEFIT LEVELS.”
This is great news for the 77 participating NJBankers Members and their 3,515 employees. Both Members and Associate Members are eligible to select from four different plan designs.
The stability of the program is even more apparent with this latest news. Our average rate increases over the last five years have been:
2011 0.00%2010 1.95% 2009 3.00% 2008 2.37% 2007 0.00%
All plan options promote the importance of good oral health by including a brush biopsy benefit to detect early oral cancers and a carry forward maximum provision which allows participants to carry part of their unused standard annual maximum in one year to increase benefits for the following year and beyond.
The NJBankers Sponsored Delta Dental program is just one more way BCG brings value to both Membership and Associate Membership. Please contact Richard Siderko at 908-272-8500, ext. 616 or Janice Besso-Tamecki at ext. 608 for additional information.
Healthcare Reform Update
The just completed NJBankers Annual Conference included a breakout session: “Healthcare Reform Overview and Update – Where do we go from here?” Covered topics included:
• New Jersey Update • Legislative and Legal Outlook – What to Expect in 2011 • Post 2013 Health Reform Landscape • Key 2014 Healthcare reform Legislation
Please contact Richard Siderko at 908-272-8500, ext. 616 or email rsiderko@bankerscoopgroup.com for a copy of the presentation.
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NJBankers Sponsored Healthcare Program January 1, 2011 Renewal Action Summary
The NJBankers sponsored healthcare program is a bundled package consisting of four separate and distinct plans; medical coverage for active employees, medical coverage for retirees, vision coverage and the employee assistance program. All four programs renew January 1, 2011.
Healthcare (Aetna) – Active Enrollment
Based upon the first double digit rate increase sustained by the NJBankers sponsored healthcare program since 2004, plan design givebacks implemented as of January 1, 2010, the current economic environment and the uncertainty of national healthcare reform, BCG performed a market search to make sure NJBankers could continue to offer the most competitive program for the membership. The effort was successful.
Following a thorough vetting process, the NJBankers Board of Directors approved the recommendation of the NJBankers Employee Benefit Trust Trustees to effect a change in insurance carriers from Oxford/United to Aetna as of January 1, 2011. While Oxford/United came in with a renewal offer of +11.8% over expiring 2010 rates, Aetna delivered a competitive bid of +7.5% over expiring rates. Aetna’s bid will save NJBankers participants approximately $1.5M in 2011 and an estimated $3.4M over two years. Aetna has a very strong statewide provider network with a 93.5% match of PCPs and specialists used by the membership over the last twelve months. Aetna has two more New Jersey hospitals in their network than Oxford/United. Existing basic medical and prescription plan designs will be matched. Aetna covers over 18 million medical and 11 million pharmacy members nationwide.
A change of this magnitude obviously generates questions and concerns. To address both we will hold Aetna training sessions at NJBankers offices on Wednesday, October 20, 2010. There will be two sessions, 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Each session is estimated to last two hours.
Sign-up sheets are being included in renewal packages presently being sent to all current participants.
Because the Aetna program will only have one network compared to two networks for Oxford/United, January 1, 2011 rate increases under the Aetna program will span a range of +0.5% to +7.6%. You may view Aetna’s provider network at www.aetna.com. Please select “Managed Choice (POS) Open Access” from the drop down menu in performing your search. The Aetna network is national in scope thereby serving membership needs outside the immediate tri-state area.
Healthcare (UnitedHealthcare) – Medicare Supplemental Enrollment
In January 2010 we carved out Medicare eligibles from the Oxford platform and placed them in a Medicare supplemental program underwritten and administered by UnitedHealthcare. It is a national program and separate from the Oxford program for active enrollment. Since we just moved this population one year ago and did not wish to create disruption in two consecutive years, the Medicare supplemental program will remain with UnitedHealthcare for 2011. Rates for the 2011 renewal will increase +6.33% with no change in benefits.
Vision Service Plan (VSP)
VSP has agreed to extend the current rates for an additional 24 months until January 1, 2013. This action will now guarantee that rates for the vision program will remain unchanged for four (4) consecutive years. In addition to the favorable rate action, the in-network contact lens allowance will be increased to $120 from the current $105 level. There will also be an increase in out-of-network reimbursement levels to provide more value for enrollees.
The National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) has renewed its Certification for VSP Vision Care’s credentialing through 2010. NCQA is an independent, not-for-profit organization dedicated to measuring the quality of healthcare in the United States.
As part of the credentialing process, VSP’s 25,000 private-practice network eye doctors must provide evidence of high standards in the areas of license certification, malpractice history and professional ethics.
With more than 55 million members nationwide, one in six people in the United States relies on VSP for eye care coverage. NJBankers membership can remain confident that we have partnered with the premier vision care vendor for their employees.
Employee Assistance Program (CIGNA Behavioral Health)
CIGNA has also agreed to extend their current rates for an additional 24 months until January 1, 2013. Including this rate pass, CIGNA EAP rates will not have changed for ten years. Readers of Business Insurance Magazine once again chose CIGNA Behavioral Health's (CBH) Employee Assistance Program (EAP) as the best EAP in the industry. Selected from among ten of the largest EAP companies for the publication's "Readers Choice Awards," CBH was recognized for its long-term commitment to service, value, quality and innovation.
The CIGNA Behavioral Health EAP includes services for members and their families, in addition to resources for business managers. Members can contact CBH by phone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and directly access network providers with no referrals. Over 80% of members calling have concerns related to stress, marital/partner concerns, life changes, mood or anxiety issues, depression, career/job concerns, childcare and financial and legal issues.
Personal advocates and wellness coaches help guide members through their benefits and assist with action plans. CIGNA EAP has more than 18 million members nationwide.
For additional information about the renewal or participating in the NJBankers sponsored healthcare program please contact Richard Siderko at 908-272-8500, ext. 616 or Janice Besso-Tamecki at ext. 608.
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