Health Care Changes
Several changes to conference-funded health care for active and retired participants were approved at Annual Conference in June. 

Active participants in the conference health care program will see an 18% jump in premium costs; to $548/month for singles, and $1316/month for families. 

Single coverage for retirees will increase from $56/month to $135 per month; and from $113/month to $270/month for family coverage. The Conference Board of Pensions and Health Benefits reported in the pre-conference workbook that the rationale for the increase is premiums collected last year from retirees was $320,000, while costs were $2,016,000 for the same group. 

Medicare eligible participants will also be shifted to Medicare Part D for prescription drug coverage, a move that projects a net savings of $600,000 for the Conference.  Conference will pick up 50% of prescription costs to participants who fall in the 'doughnut hole'; this will provide significant support to retirees with high prescription costs.

Changes in premium costs and the shift to Medicare Part D for those eligible will go into effect January 1, 2011. 

A letter was sent to all plan participants last month with complete details and guidelines.  You can read the letter here.