Suggested SWAN Personnel Committee Meeting - SWANboard

28 Aug 2020

Hello SWAN Board reps-

On Wednesday this week LIMRiCC members received this notice (pasted below) from the board
chair that the benefit provider will be switched from BCBS to Aetna.

I suggested to Ted that we schedule a Personnel Committee meeting to discuss that benefit
change and to gauge your thoughts on this provider change. I will be attending with Ginny
the LIMRiCC meeting on 9/15 so I suggest if we have a committee meeting that maybe we plan
one after the Friday 9/18 SWAN Board meeting.

The reps for our Personnel Committee are Jane and Jennifer. If you two can reply to me if
you are available, I can schedule that meeting for maybe around 11am on 9/18. For
reference, here are the committee assignments:
https://support.swanlibraries.net/system/files/Public/SWAN-Board-Committees…

I recognize the window to make any changes to remain with BCBS is fairly short considering
open enrollment will start at the end of October, so I am doing some initial research with
Ginny on what our options are.

Aaron Skog
Executive Director
aaron@swanlibraries.net<mailto:aaron@swanlibraries.net> * 630-326-7022
My pronouns: he/him/his

SWAN Library Services
800 Quail Ridge Drive, Westmont, IL 60559
swanlibraries.net<https://swanlibraries.net/> *
catalog.swanlibraries.net<https://catalog.swanlibraries.net/>

From: Jennie Mills
<jmills@shorewoodtroylibrary.org<mailto:jmills@shorewoodtroylibrary.org>>
Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2020 2:03 PM
Subject: PLEASE READ - LIMRiCC Change in Health Insurance Providers, effective January 21,
2021

August 26, 2020
TO: Participants in the LIMRiCC-PHIP Health Insurance Pool
FROM: Jennifer Cisna Mills, LIMRiCC Board Chair
 RE: Change in Health Insurance Carriers, effective January 1, 2021
In advance of our Full Membership meeting, scheduled for Tuesday, September 15th, I wanted
to be the first to inform you that the Board of LIMRICC voted, 5-0, on August 25th to end
our relationship with Blue Cross Blue Shield at this time and move to Aetna.
This was not a decision that the LIMRiCC Board took lightly. We know that Blue Cross Blue
Shield has been our health insurance carrier for over 20 years. We are aware that
selecting a new insurance carrier will bring with it some concerns and questions from both
employees and employers.  We want you to know that both the staff of LIMRiCC and the staff
of Assurance, our insurance broker, are committed to making this change as easy as
possible.
Why did we make this change? This decision was driven primarily by cost considerations. 
Due to several large claims this year, including a claim that has exceeded $1 million,
Blue Cross Blue Shield was not able to be as competitive in cost as other carriers.  HMO
rates would have increased by 4%, but PPO rates would have increased by 14%.  In this
difficult financial climate, where rising health costs can be a cost burden for both
employees and employers, the Board felt it best to look at other carriers.  We obtained
quotes from both Aetna and United Health Care.
 Why did we select Aetna? We made the choice to move to Aetna health care for several
reasons:

*        Competitive rates - Rates for both the HMO and PPO will be a 5% increase, versus
the 14% increase for the PPO through Blue Cross Blue Shield.

*       Plans remain the same, with the same coverage amounts. There will still be an HMO
provided, $750 deductible PPO plan, a $1500 deductible PPO plan, and an HSA plan.

*        Good coverage for existing doctors already utilized by members.  96.78% of
doctors currently utilized will also accept Aetna's insurance.  The doctor's
website will often display the types of insurance covered or you may search for your
doctor here: https://www.aetna.com/individuals-families/find-a-doctor.html to check for
coverage.

*        Due to the way that Aetna's HMO is structured, libraries will no longer have
to act as "large employers" to offer the HMO.  The HMO can be offered by all
libraries now.  Additionally, Aetna HMO does not require a designated Primary Care
Physician, nor does it require a referral to see specialized health providers.

*        Telemedicine is offered on all plans, including the HMO.

*        There is no copay to use CVS mini-clinics, for the treatment of minor
conditions.

Is anything else changing? Yes, please see below.

*       Life insurance will be moving from Unicare to Hartford Insurance.  There will be
no change in the amount billed per member, but the employer-provided life insurance will
increase from $20,000 provided to $30,000 provided.

*       Dental coverage will be moving from Delta Dental to Aetna for dental. Premiums
will remain the same.

*       VSP will continue to be the vision insurance provided, at the same rates.

We know that this will be a transition for employers AND employees.  We encourage every
library to send a representative to the September 15th membership meeting, held via Zoom,
to have your questions answered. Representatives from both Aetna and Assurance will be
there to answer questions and concerns.  All members of the LIMRiCC board will be present
as well.  We look forward to your attendance and participation at the meeting.

--
************************************
Jennifer Cisna Mills, Director
Shorewood-Troy Public Library
650 Deerwood Drive
Shorewood, IL  60404
815.725.1715