Productivity Committee Employee Benefits Subcommittee Minutes 03/31/2004 Employee Benefits Sub-Committee Minutes
Meeting of March 31, 2004
The meeting was opened at 2:05 p.m. by Helen Philbin. In attendance was committee
members Celia Fellows, Dexter Groose, and Sydney Blum; guests Len Price,
Administrative Services Division, Jeff Walker, Risk Management Director, Alice Toppe,
Risk Management Department and Debbie Wight, County Manager's Office.
Discussion on purpose and method of information gathering was initiated. Agencies to be
included are; 5 Constitutional Officers, Cities of Naples and Marco Island, Collier
County Public Schools, and the Independent Fire Districts. Jeff Walker submitted a
survey sheet he developed for health benefits information.
He explained that the County health care is an aggregate self-funded program working
with Naples Community Hospital and doctor groups as health partners. There are no
HMO's.
The new hospital was discussed. It will be different rather than smaller than NCH and
the County will explore its options for coverage with them.
The County pays 115% of Medicare approved allowances to the hospital and doctors for
fees for its covered employees. Employee premiums are based on type of coverage and
salary level. There are three fee levels with the ultimate goal of an 80-20% split.
Retirees pay 100% of the cost
Agencies group together for better fees and there are approximately 20,000 covered
employees.
Recent changes in the IRS regulations have made health savings accounts etc. more
liberal and attractive to employees. That is also being studied.
The survey form was discussed and Jeff was asked to include a column for major medical
and catastrophic coverage with lifetime caps if any. He will also include number and age
groups of covered persons. He was also asked for information on networks and costs for
care outside our network.
Our goal is to look at the total benefit package and compare with other self-funded
counties. Jeff will also give us information on Lee County.
Additional information needed includes paid leave and sick time, maternity/paternity
leave and personal days. He was asked about large private companies in Naples.
Jeff said the information will take 6 to 8 weeks to gather and he will submit it as it
becomes available. We offered to assist where possible if he runs into resistance.
Accepted October 18, 2004