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H.E.A. Newsletter
H.E.A.is here for you because you deserve
the best.
Volume 2 - Issue 3 - April 2002
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Executive Board
Jim Pace
President
Gordon Williamson
Vice-President
Jose Madera
Treasurer
Betsy Patridge
Secretary
Vernon Johns
Secondary Director
Scott Johnson
Elementary Director
Fran McCullough
Director At Large
Rep Council
Catherine Aure
Karen Barkley
Dean Blackburn
Kathy Brauche
Joan Case
Pat Cook
Norma Egzer
Claudia Ethun
Jim Garrett
Susan Gaus
Valeria Gilmore
Darrin Grebel
Glenn Houston
Barbara Jacobs
Selena Kakuda
Margaret Kennedy
Jon Lee
Jackie Marsh
Terry McGrath
John Mchenry
Kathryn Mustain
Gwynneth Morin
Sara Pifer
Diana Pruiett
Linda Rector
Yolette Rios
Cheryl Roberts
Cheryl Rutledge
Deborah K. Thomas
Jeanne Triska
Mike Watesworth
Dick Westerhoff
Kathryn Wetsch
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INSURANCE UPDATE
April 2002
During the March Rep Council meeting, information was provided concerning next year’s out of pocket cost to teachers to maintain our existing health benefits. Currently, we have a $7200 cap on our benefits package. Next year the cost of our package will exceed the cap. Therefore, maintaining our current benefits package (through SCSEBA) will cost teachers $61.70 monthly or $74.05 tenthly. In view of this, HEA decided to explore other insurance options and work with the district, using the IBB process.
We explored ways of offsetting this out of pocket cost with the district.
In our search for lower insurance costs we consulted with several trusts. Specifically, the High Desert Trust was given all the information they requested. After various consultations they gave us a higher rate than our current provider SCSEBA’s rate for next year. The other trusts declined to give us quotes.
Although the district was unable to raise the cap, which would have decreased teachers’ out of pocket expense, both parties agreed to an M.O.U. (Memorandum of Understanding). Teachers will have the opportunity to choose between the provisions of the M.O.U. and the existing plan. The following is a breakdown of both options that will be available for a vote by members on Thursday, April 25, 2002 at 4:00 p.m. at Hesperia Junior High.
OPTION 1 PRESERVES THE EXISTING PACKAGE AND COSTS $61.70 MONTHLY / $74.05 TENTHLY
OPTION 2 REDUCES THE EXISTING PACKAGE AND COSTS $26.41 MONTHLY / $31.69 TENTHLY
The following chart provides a comparison of option 1 and option 2.
Blue Cross is the medical provider for both Options.
| Benefit |
Option 1 (Current) |
Option 2* |
| Individual deductible |
| PPO In-Network |
$150 |
$200 |
| Out-Of-Network |
$300 |
$400 |
| Coinsurance |
| PPO In-Network |
10% |
10% |
| Out-of-Network |
30% |
40% |
| PPO In-patient Hosp. Copay |
$0 |
$0. |
| Out of Pocket Maximum |
| Individual/Family |
$1000/$2000 |
$1500/$3000 |
| Out-of-Network |
$3000 |
$4500 |
| HMO Office Visit
| $5.00
| $10.00
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| Prescription Drugs |
| Retail Generic |
$5.00 |
$5.00 |
| Retail Brand |
$5.00 |
$10.00 |
| Mail Order Generic (60days supply) |
$0.00 |
$5.00 |
| Mail Order Brand (60days supply) |
$0.00 |
$10.00 |
| Rate Change from |
| 2001-2002 to2002-2003 |
19.7% |
12.7% |
*Option 2 includes the following changes:
District Paid Life Insurance death benefit will reduce from the current $50,000 to $30,000.
For all new teachers whose start date is July 1, 2002 or later and who retire with at least 15 years of service, and are between 55 and 65 years old, will receive the same health and welfare benefits as unit members.
The out of pocket cost for Kaiser will be the same as the Blue Cross option.
Delta Dental benefits will remain at the same level with either option. Delta rates went up by 5.9%.
Medical Eye Service (MES) benefits will remain the same as the existing plan with either option.
MES rates went up by 6.9%.
Your total out of pocket cost previously stated cover ALL rate increases for medical, dental and vision.
There will be a Rep Council meeting on Thursday April 18, 2002. Please share your questions and concerns with your Rep before the meeting.
There will be a general membership meeting on Thursday April 25, 2002 at 4:00 p.m. at Hesperia Junior High School. At this meeting people will be available to answer questions and all members will have an opportunity to vote for one of the two options. Please remember that the vote is not valid unless at least 50%+1 of the membership votes. Only HEA members are eligible to vote on the benefit package.
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President's Message
By Jim Pace, H.E.A President
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HEA MEMBERS had an opportunity to vote, on April 25 2002, for one of two insurance packages. The election was held at Hesperia Junior High School at 4:00 p.m. Members who wished to vote prior to the general membership meeting had an opportunity to vote prior to the meeting. Others waited to hear a presentation by Mitch Davis, from AON. They had an opportunity to ask questions of Mr. Davis, as well as of the Executive Board.
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We needed to have at least 50% plus one of the membership to meet the quorum. Currently the total membership is 640 members. 326 votes where cast on April 26, which met the requirement for the quorum.
Option 1 received an overhelming majority of the votes with 73.3% of the votes. Option 2 received 25.7% of the votes cast. By the results of this election, the teachers have voiced a mandate to maintain the best possible health and welfare benefits. It is obvious this is a very important issue to our unit members.
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Secretary's Report
By Betsy Patridge,
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| There are currently three Executive Board Member positions open for re-election. If you would like to run for Elementary Director, Secondary Director or Director at Large, you need to notify Barbara Bailey, in writing by April 25. Barbara is at Lime Street School. The election will be on May 1, at each site. The ballots will be turned in at Rep Council on May 16. There is a $499 yearly stipend for this position. Board Members are required to attend monthly Executive Board Meetings, Rep Council Meetings and other duties as assigned by the president.
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Site Rep elections will be held at each site starting May 1. If a Site Rep is running unopposed there is no need for an election. There is a $400 stipend for this position. In order to be elligible to receive this stipend, Reps are required to attend at least 8 of the 9 Rep Council meetings held the third Thursday of each month at the HEA office at 4:15 p.m. AND hold a monthly Site Meeting where they distribute information. This is a very important position. If you are interested in what HEA can do for us all, please consider becoming involved.
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CTA - NEA Link
By Scott Johnson
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| NEA is currently holding an election for representatives. We urge you to vote for our own Betsy Patridge who is running.
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This will give us representation at the national level if she wins her seat. Make sure you vote. Good luck Betsy! www.nea.org/issues/ |
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Contract Highlights
By Vern Johns
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HEA is working on getting a current contract for our unit members. Please view the contract online at
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www.hesperiateachers.com
The MOU's that have been added to our contract are now visible also.
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INSURANCE
By Fran McCullough
IRS 125 PLANS
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| The District and American Fidelity Assurance will be holding informational meetings at every school site, starting on May 1 and ending on May 31. The purpose of these meetings is to give teachers an opportunity to get informed on Section 125 plans. The IRS 125 plans offer an opportunity for teachers to pre-tax out of pocket insurance premiums but ONLY IF THEY SIGN UP FOR THIS SERVICE. There are other options available under section 125. |
If you think that any of these options would benefit you, attend a meeting at your site or any of the other sites. You will be able to ask questions and enroll or re-enroll in the Medical or Dependent care Reimbursement Accounts. In order to participate in the pre-taxing of premiums or the Medical Reimbursement Account you must attend one of these meetings. There should be a flyer at your site with the place and time for these enrollment meetings. |
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By the #'s
Jose Madera
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| With teachers having to pay out of pocket for health benefits, it is important to take advantage of any tax breaks available. |
I strongly recommend that you look into an IRS 125 plan and consult with your tax advisor to see if this is right for you.
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