Several changes to conference-funded health care for active and retired participants were approved at Annual Conference in June. 

Active participants in the conference health care program will see an 18% jump in premium costs; to $548/month for singles, and $1316/month for families.

Single coverage for retirees will increase from $56/month to $135 per month for singles; and from $113/month to $270/month for family coverage. The Conference Board of Pensions and Health Benefits reported in the pre-conference workbook that the rationale for the increase is premiums collected last year from retirees was $320,000, while costs were $2,016,000 for the same group. 

Medicare eligible participants will also be shifted to Medicare Part D for prescription drug coverage, a move that projects a net savings to the Conference of $600,000.   Conference will pick up 50% of prescription costs to participants who fall in the ‘doughnut hole’; this will provide significant support to retirees with high prescription costs.

Changes in premium costs and the shift to Medicare Part D for those eligible will go into effect January 1, 2011. 

“I want to stress to our retirees to make sure and sign up for Medicare Part D,” said Conference Treasurer and Director of Administrative Services, Jim Berner. He said the Conference will assume retirees make the switch, and they should start the process by November first of this year.   A letter to all Conference health care program participants sent June 14 gives specific instructions and guidance for the shift.

Other changes include:

-          Minimum funding levels for health care will be 70%/church; 30%/participant, effective January 1, 2011

-           Effective August 1, 2010, those eligible who do not enroll in the conference health care plan during the June and July enrollment period will be required to wait 2 years to be eligible again. There is an exception for Qualifying Event’.

Complete details and guidelines on all Conference Health Care Program changes were sent to all participants June 14. The letter can also be read here. Questions should be directed to:

Jim Berner, Conference Treasurer and Director of Administrative Services
1-800-788-3746 or 304-344-8331, ext. 35
email: trsrr@aol.com