EBCC Meeting December 8, 2011

Benefits Fair  Well attended  Positive feedback on Benefits Fair vendors  Continued concerns about parking  Logistical issues related to timing of setup and take down of booths  Need to identify a new location for next  Fairgrounds  Convention Center  SCC  Questions, comments, suggestions for other locations

WEA Verification  WEA has contracted with a firm to conduct verification of dependents enrolled on the WEA plan  Letters went out to all members with dependents on WEA plans  Follow- up letters scheduled to go out on December 23  Remind staff that they need to respond and use the information numbers provided on the letters for assistance

Experience Reports  See Handouts

Open Enrollment Results

Health Care Authority Study  A performance audit by the Washington State Auditor’s office that reported cost saving could be achieved by changing the insurance benefit structure within K-12 was released in January 2011  The Legislature directed the Health Care Authority (HCA) to study how a statewide insurance pool could provide insurance benefits to school district employees  HCA assembled a team of consultants and formed an advisory committee to obtain a better understanding of school district benefits  Advisory committee consisted of representatives from WEA, insurance carriers, insurance consultants, school districts staff, HCA staff

HCA Report to Address  Equitable access to quality and affordable health services for all eligible K-12 public school employees and their dependents  Transparency of costs to employees, the Legislature and the public  Stability in the system risk pool  School district and employee participation in system governance  Reduced duplication and increased cost efficiency  Continuity of care, with minimal disruption to existing relationships between insured individuals and their healthcare providers

HCA Report to Contain  A recommended purchasing strategy for a consolidated benefits system at the aggregate level  Projected pros and cons for employees, school districts, and the state resulting from the transition from the current system to the proposed consolidated state- administered system  Projected pros and cons resulting from moving to mandatory school district participation with provisions for exemption, or voluntary participation  An implementation strategy identifying the process, timeline and budget the HCA will need to undertake to successfully implement necessary management, operations, information systems, etc. for start-up as early as the school year.

HCA Draft Report  Concerns about provisions in the draft report have been expressed by member of the advisory committee and others  Requirements under opt out provision  Handling of vision, dental and other insurance benefits  Level of benefits available to employees  Impact on bargaining  Input is still being accepted by the HCA

HCA Report and Beyond  HCA report to be provided to the state legislature by December 15  Additional information is available on the HCA website at under K12 Benefits Report  HCA is prepared to answer additional questions from the Legislature and explore any additional options as directed by the Legislature  Legislative action is necessary to change the existing benefit structure

Reminders  Flexible spending account enrollment forms due December 15  New premiums will be reflected in December pay  New pooling rates in effect for December  Administration building will be closed from December 24- January 2 as a result of budget reductions. Staff will be utilizing vacation during this time.

Enjoy Winter Break Thank you for serving on the EBCC