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| A Report from the Joint Health Care
Committee to State of Ohio Employees |
January 2000 |
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OHIO DEPARTMENT OF ADMINISTRATIVE
SERVICES
Human Resources Division Benefits Administration Services |
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OCSEA/AFSCME Local 11
FOP/OLC 1199/SEIU UFCW SCOPE/OEA OSTA |
Health Care Rate Increases to Hit State EmployeesNew rates to be effective July 1Health care rates are going up this year for state
employees enrolled in a Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) or the Ohio
Med Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) plan just as they have already
increased for the rest of the country.
HMOs and the PPO were first introduced to state employees in the 1980s and early 1990s in response to nearly a decade of double-digit medical cost increases. The introduction of HMOs and PPOs had the desired effect of holding down cost increases. Since 1994, state employees have seen modest increases, often as little as a few percent per year. In fact, state of Ohio employees pay on average $84 less per month for their share of the family premium than the national average.* In the upcoming year, all the indicators point to significant health care rate increases. Reasons for the increases include:
The Department of Administrative Services and the Joint Health Care Committee (JHCC) have been working to minimize the rate hikes expected next year. Heightened competition among HMOs can help minimize the rate increases. Therefore, in 2000, the number of HMOs offered per county will be reduced from five to two. It is hoped the HMOs will moderate their rate increases knowing that they may get a higher volume of enrollees since only one other HMO will be offered in the counties they hope to serve. Even with the work of the state and JHCC, significant rate hikes are expected next year. Watch for information in the next Health Benefits Update about the HMO and Ohio Med rates. *Workplace Ergonomics, Inc., January 1999 |
Open Enrollment 2000A new way
to enroll or
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Second Regional Wellness Fair Heightens Health AwarenessWatch for a fair in your areaApproximately 270 employees and family members from
Wayne, Stark and Medina counties took advantage of free health screenings
at the state’s second regional
wellness fair. The fair, sponsored by the Department of Administrative
Services and Apple Creek Developmental Center, was held on November 18,
1999. The all-day event was attended by employees and family members from
several different agencies including Mental Retardation and Developmental
Disabilities, Department of Transportation, Bureau of Employee Services,
Rehabilitation and Corrections, and Human Services.
Employees and family members took advantage of the free screening tests that were provided at the fair. The tests included diabetes and cholesterol screenings, lung capacity testing, body fat and health risk analysis, vision and glaucoma screenings, hearing testing and blood pressure readings. Flexibility testing and massage as well as half-hour sessions on proper lifting techniques were provided throughout the day. Smoking cessation classes were held in conjunction with the Great American Smokeout. A nutritionist, physical therapist, occupational therapist and representatives from several managed care organizations, Employee Assistance Program, Highway Patrol and the Bureau of Workers Compensation were available to answer questions and to provide informational literature. The next wellness fair will be held on January 26, 2000 at the Department of Transportation/Public Safety building on the west side of Columbus. Employees who work in the area will receive more information about the fair in the near future.
Laser Correction Surgery DiscountsWhile laser correction surgery is not a covered benefit,
you may want to take advantage of the discounts offered by your vision
plan. Effective January 1, state of Ohio employees who are enrolled
for vision coverage (union represented or exempt employees) will be
able to take advantage of discounts on laser vision correction procedures.
Both Vision Service Plan (VSP) and Cole have partnered with laser surgery
providers and negotiated discounts on behalf of their members. If you
have been considering corrective eye surgery to eliminate the need for
glasses or contact lenses, you may wish to contact your vision provider
for more information.
Cole may be contacted at (800) 334-7591. VSP has a special laser vision phone line: (888) 354-4434. In addition, VSP has posted discount program information on their Web site, www.VSP.com. This site also contains information about the types of conditions that are correctable with laser procedures. You need not be a VSP member to access this information. |
How Satisfied Are You With Your Health Plan?Please complete our surveyPlease take a minute to complete the survey you should have received with this edition of the Health Benefits Update. The survey is your chance to voice your opinion about your health plan. Your opinion will be added to those of other state employees. The Ohio Industries for the Handicapped will tabulate the results. We will share those results with employees during open enrollment. By sharing opinions, we can help ourselves and others choose their health plan this spring. If you didn’t get a survey, please ask your personnel officer for one. Please complete your survey before February 4 and drop it in the mail so your opinion can be counted.
Child Care Voucher Application PeriodWatch you next paycheck for InfoThe Child Care Voucher program (CCV) is a program which provides a cash grant once a year for work-related child care expenses. The program provides a maximum of $1,000 for expenses incurred in the previous calendar year. The CCV program is available to full-time and part-time permanent employees who are exempt or represented by OCSEA/AFSCME Local 11 or District 1199. To be eligible, your family’s adjusted gross income must not exceed $35,000. The application period for the CCV program will be from January 28, to April 17. A flyer describing the program should arrive with your paycheck on January 28. Please check the Dependent Care booklet in your State of Ohio Employee Benefits Handbook box or visit the Benefits Administration Services Web site at www.das.ohio.gov/hrd/benindex.html for more information about the program. To apply, obtain an application from your payroll office. |
Ohio Med Prescription PlanWhy some drugs
require
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Women’s Health and Cancer RightsIn late 1998, the Women’s Health and Cancer Rights Act became law. As a result, all health plans serving state of Ohio employee’s provide coverage for reconstructive surgery after the attending physician and the patient discuss available treatment options. Coverage must include:
If you have any questions about this benefit or other health care benefits, please contact your health plan.
Comparing Health Plan QualityNew information available to youDuring open enrollment 2000, we will share important information with you about the quality of the services of the health plans offered to state employees. In this year’s open enrollment materials, we will share data that the HMOs are required to provide annually to the National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA). NCQA is an independent, non-profit organization that collects health plan quality data as well as evaluates health plans. Data from health plans across the country are used to establish national and regional averages as well as benchmarks. Benchmarks are the best scores earned by health plans and serve as achievable goals for other health plans. NCQA’s rigorous requirements ensure that comparisons between health plans are on an apples-to-apples basis. NCQA’s team of experts has developed many health care measures. Most health plan members want to know if the outcome of their medical care is likely to be positive. For example, the quality measures for women and children, who are major users of the health care system, look at how well the health plan incorporates preventive practices into the health care it provides. Measures for women and children include breast cancer screening, cervical cancer screening, childhood immunization status, prenatal care in the first trimester, check-ups after delivery and well child visits. All the health plans offered to state employees are accredited by NCQA and annually submit their data to NCQA and DAS Benefits Administration Services. Scores from key quality measures will be shared in a future issue. |
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Numbers to Know
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Open Enrollment 2000Watch for our new lookThe next open enrollment is scheduled from April 24
to May 12. Open enrollment is the important time of year when you can
change your benefits and covered dependents. At this time you again must
submit affidavits for your children age 19 and older.
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Get Back to WorkTransitional Work Programs helpBeing off work due to an injury or illness can be very difficult. Did you know that if you have to be off work for more than six months, you only have a 10 percent chance of ever returning to your current job?* A transitional work program (TWP) can help. A TWP allows you to return to work and receive full pay and benefits while you complete your recovery. If you have been released to participate by your doctor, you will be given temporary work assignments that you are able to perform given your restrictions. A TWP may be provided for up to 60 or 90 days, depending on the program guidelines of your agency. Participating agencies have reported great success with their transitional work programs. They report that 87 percent of employees who entered a TWP completed the program and returned to their original job. There are 12 agencies that currently have a transitional work program and five more are in the process of working with their unions to develop a program. Almost 23,000 state of Ohio employees are eligible for benefits under their agency’s TWP. If you become temporarily disabled and your doctor advises that you can return to work early but you can’t perform all your duties, transitional work may be for you. Check with your personnel officer to see if your agency has a transitional work program. *Waddell Predictions |
It
will be important to watch for this year’s enrollment materials.
You will see a new look in the Comparison Chart and Guide and
other benefits communications we send. You will no longer see these
animated characters guiding your through the materials. Instead, you
will see pictures of real people that need to make informed benefit
decisions like all of us. More on open enrollment and our new look will
be in the next edition of the Health Benefits Update.