Productivity Committee Employee Benefits Subcommittee Minutes 02/28/2005 Employee Benefits Sub-Committee Minutes February 28, 2005
Helen Philbin opened the meeting at 2:10 p.m.
Committee members present were Dex Groose and Syd Blum.
Excused: Joe Swaja
Discussion focused on the health benefits portion of our overall study. It was suggested
and agreed upon that a preliminary draft report be prepared now for health benefits. This
report would include the following recommendations:
1. County to remain self-insured
2. Adjust co-pays to a higher level, to help manage costs.
3. An in-house clinic be established to provide care for basic preventive medical
procedures as well as to be the first line in illnesses and injuries needing treatment
during working hours.
4. Staff to open competition to other providers such as United Health and Blue
Cross/Blue Shield in addition to the NCH doctor's network now in place..
5. Health Savings Accounts be given serious consideration as a way of reducing
costs and making employees more responsible for their individual health choices.
This option is to be considered for all employees with emphasis on requiring these
accounts for new employees.
6. An educational component be included as soon as possible to alert all employees
to future changes especially as they relate to Health Savings Accounts.
7. Dependent coverage to be scaled back or premiums increased to make dependent
coverage more a responsibility of the employee.
8. If these suggestions are not successful and the plan in place continues as
established then consideration should be given to further raising the employee's
percentage of the premium charged for coverage.
The committee will meet again on April 5th at 2:15 to discuss pension, annual and sick
leave benefits.
Respectfully submitted
Helen Philbin
Approved by Sub-Committee on May 3, 2005