12/20/2016 (4) - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Board of County Commissioners Meeting Minutes - Final December 20, 2016 Recommended Action: Staff recommends approval for the acupuncture benefit to be eliminated from the County's health plan effective January 1, 2017 and to offer a special enrollment period for the health care flexible spending account. Attachments: Staff Report Human Resources Director Suzanne Boyll provided background and statistics pertaining to the increase in the County's Health Care Plan (Florida Blue) acupuncture claims since 2013. She stated that the Plan does not offer agreements with acupuncturists, nor are they able to set up a network so acupuncturist services can be an out -of -network benefit. She voiced specific concern over one provider who was waiving the patients' copayment (copay), which has resulted in a substantial cost increase to the County's Plan. She recommended that the acupuncture benefit be eliminated from the County's Plan. County Administrator Jason Brown further described the cost increases of claims on the County's Health Plan that have become unsustainable; spoke about the possibility of a group acupuncture treatment that costs about $30.00 per session; and expressed the urgency of correcting the copay issue and finding a way to fund the $1.1 million cost increase to the County's Plan. He supported staffs recommendation in an attempt to preserve the financial stability of the health insurance plan. Discussion ensued among the Board and staff pertaining to capping the number of visits per year, cost containment solutions, acupuncture alternatives, copays, and the large number of employees who use out -of -network acupuncture benefits. Deborah Andersen, 9820 84th Street, explained how the acupuncture services have helped her, and stated that she had been informed by the acupuncturist that after the first of the year, payments will be required. She asked the Board not to remove the acupuncture benefit. John Coppersmith, 4636 43rd Street, explained how acupuncture has helped him with pain, and asked the Board to table their decision until more information can be obtained. Sasan Rohani, 4690 Josephine Manor, shared the success that he and his wife have experienced after using acupuncture. He said he was informed that starting in January, a $30.00 copay would be required. He urged the Board to continue the acupuncture insurance benefit. Bill Michael, 489 34th Avenue, gave a testimonial of how acupuncture therapy has helped him, and explained how his acupuncture provider manages the copay process. Further discussion ensued regarding out -of -network providers, the frequent use of one specific acupuncture provider's services, and the lack of cooperation from the provider to supply staff with all the requested documentation. Indian River County Florida Page 4