CUPE Group Insurance Trust
CUPE Group Benefit Trust Meeting Summary December 9th 2015
Welcome: We welcome John Doucette from Local 1775. John has been Trustee in the past so we are very appreciative of his rejoining our group. We thank Mary Louise Richard for all that she has contributed to the Trust.
Review of Renewal Analysis: The renewal analysis was presented by our Mercer Rep.; Michael Horne. April 2016 proposed rates will have members seeing an increase in all areas. Bill 13 ‘Drug Cost Assistance Act’ has negatively impacted our Benefits plan which comes as no surprise. Since 2012 we have been providing the members with decreases.
• Health: Health rate will have a 44% increase. This will take us back to a little less than what our Health rates were in April 2012.
Year 2012 Year 2013 Year 2014 Year 2015 Year 2016
Health 12 month Rates Single $108.68 $102.38 $85.49 $72.67 $104.64
Health 12 month Rates Family $253.28 $238.59 $199.23 $169.35 $243.86
Health 10 month Rates Single $130.42 $122.86 $102.59 $87.20 $125.57
Health 10 month rates Family $303.94 $286.31 $239.06 $203.22 $292.63
Health 12 Month Employees
Single $31.97 increase Cost Shared with the Employer→ $15.99 increase per member $7.99 per pay
Family $74.51 increase Cost Shared with the Employer→ $37.26 increase per member $18.63 per pay
Health 10 Month Employees
Single $38.37 increase Cost Shared with the Employer→ $19.19 increase per member $9.59 per pay
Family $89.41 increase Cost Shared with the Employer→ $44.71 increase per member $22.35per pay
Year 2012 Year 2013 Year 2014 Year 2015 Year 2016
Health claims paid for… $1,520,415 $1,321,383 $1,383,946 $1,599,623 ———
Health claim usage predication for $1,683,810 $1,634,446 $1,361,024 $1,494,662 $1,671,606
• Basic Life and Dependent Life: Both will see a small increase. This increase is due to our aging membership.
12 months Basic Life Increase of $0.03 12 months Dependent Life Increase of $0.14
10 months Basic Life Increase of $0.03 10 months Dependent Life Increase of $0.17
• LTD: There will be a 9.5% increase in the LTD rate. LTD is currently 2.82% (cost shared with Employer). It will change to 3.07% (cost shared with Employer). At this time we have 18 members using LTD. Compared to other plans this LTD pricing is still a good rate.
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• Dental: The Dental rate will have a 2.8% increase. As you can see the last three years has had no change in the dental premium.
Year 2012 Year 2013 Year 2014 Year 2015 Year 2016
Dental 12 month Rates Single $39.95 $41.83 $41.83 $41.83 $43.00
Dental 12 month Rates Family $84.28 $88.24 $88.24 $88.24 $90.71
Dental 10 month Rates Single $47.94 $50.20 $50.20 $50.20 $51.60
Dental 10 month rates Family $101.14 $105.89 $105.89 $105.89 $108.85
Dental 12 Month Employees
Single $1.17 increase Cost Shared with the Employer→ $.59 increase per member $.29 per pay
Family $2.47 increase Cost Shared with the Employer→ $1.24 increase per member $.62 per pay
Dental 10 Month Employees
Single $1.40 increase Cost Shared with the Employer→ $.70 increase per member $.35 per pay
Family $2.96 increase Cost Shared with the Employer→ 1.48 increase per member $.74 per pay
Year 2012 Year 2013 Year 2014 Year 2015 Year 2016
Dental claims paid for… $538,797 $571,206 $582,185 $606,041 ————-
Dental claim usage predication for $528,828 $581,900 $605,478 $617,116 $636,343
Plan Enhancements:
As of January 1st 2016, we will have two Plan Enhancements. First, we will be adding Great West Life’s standard coverage for vaccines (Hepatitis A & B, influenza, meningitis, chicken pox/shingles, and human papilloma virus-HPV) with a lifetime maximum of $500 per person. Secondly, we will be adding coverage for TENS machine under medical supplies (1 TENS every 5 years with a maximum reasonable and customary of $500 plus a lifetime maximum of $700). You have to be treated for a chronic condition to be eligible for a TENS machine.
Members’ Concerns: Concerns were addressed and dealt with by the Trustees and Mercer Rep.
• Request to add Zostavax2: This Fall there has been numerous request for the addition of the vaccination for Shingles to our plan. After research and discussion by Trustees and Reps the decision was made to add it to the plan.
• Optional life insurance: Once you turn 50 years of age you should see an increase in premiums. You will receive a letter indicating this increase.
• Dental: Nitrous oxide (laughing gas) is covered under our plan.
• Registered Dieticians: Discussion was had if this should be added to the list of paramedical. It was felt that with dieticians at most Sobeys, Superstore and Hospitals that was not necessary to add it to our plan at this time.
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• LTD: There have been a few members inquiring about LTD. Either they are on it or trying to receive it. It is very important that you communicate with your Employer, Union and Johnson Insurance when out on LTD, considering LTD or in the process of receiving LTD.
If you are out on any extended sick leave then please contact your Employer, so you do not miss deadlines for filing for LTD and find yourself without an income. Even if you don’t think LTD is an option, please inquire and get directions as to your next step.
In the New Year, our website: www.mybenefitplan.ca will have the step by step process on ‘How to apply for long-term disability benefits.’ If you have questions or concerns then please ask, you have many different avenues available to you to find answers. If you do not understand something then ask your union Benefits’ Trustee to help you.
The date of the next meeting should April 20, 2016.
If you have any concerns then please contact your Local Trustee.
Robert Coughlin (r_d_coughlin@yahoo.ca) & Hughie MacDonald (902-566-1715) -Local 1145
John Doucette (johndoucette56@hotmail.com) & Roy Villard (rkvillard@edu.pe.ca) Local 1775
Cathy Carragher(cacarragher@edu.pe.ca) & Ann Ramsay(jaramsay@pei.sympatico.ca) -Local 1770
Adele Ryan(adele.ryan@pei.sympatico.ca) &Carolyn Vandaele(cavandaele@edu.pe.ca)-Local 3260
Paula Annear(pacollings@edu.pe.ca ) & Rebecca Gill (rjgill@edu.pe.ca) Employer Reps.