7/2/1996 - Laserfiche WebLink

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sooK 419 Robert McBurney of Siver Insurance stated that bids were solicited and 19 were received covering minimum premiums and excess stop loss insurance. He recommended the Board select Blue Cross Blue Shield as the administrator using the Blue Cross network with excess stop loss being provided by John Alden Life Insurance Company out of Miami. This proposal represents a 25% reduction over the incumbent provider's new proposal. Chairman Adams asked for an explanation of the chart comparing the total annual costs for Blue Cross Plan A and Blue Cross Plan B. Mr. McBurney explained that Plan B has benefit items which were less than those currently provided. Plan A is equal to or slightly better than the current arrangement. With respect to the comparisons, the last entry on that chart is the proposal from Anthem for the coming year. Chairman Adams thanked Mr. McBurney and asked for an explanation as to how this translates down to the individual employees. Mr. McBurney stated that there would be a new enrollment for employees at which time the explanation of the benefits to be provided will be explained. Employees will be issued new identification cards and provider directories, so that on October 1st the employees will be prepared to use the new plan. Director Baker commented that there are a larger number of practitioners enrolled in the Blue Cross plan than in the Acordia plan. There is not much change in the benefit levels, but some of the changes are: in regard to purchasing drugs in and out of the PPO network; Acordia had no anesthesiologists while Blue Cross has 14 with the new plan; Acordia had no birthing center while Blue Cross will now incorporate all the area hospitals; and there are many more doctors under the Blue Cross plan. Commissioner Bird inquired whether the co -pay would remain the same, and Director Baker explained that Acordia had a $15 co -pay and then, depending on the procedures involved, the employee would be responsible for other payments. He has received a confirmation in writing from Blue Cross that employees will pay only $15 no matter what. Commissioner Bird then -inquired about the charges for 'a follow-up visit, and Director Baker explained that there will still be no charge for a follow-up visit. Commissioner Macht recalled a painful experience from last year where he and his family were covered with 2 fully paid carriers, Blue Cross and Blue Shield being the secondary carrier. However, Blue Cross would pay only 80% of the residue of the JULY 29 1996 26