Hello,

 

I hope your first day of school was a wonderful beginning of a new year.  I love the fresh start and renewed enthusiasm.  I had a great first day.  Teaching is such a joy.  I am thankful for the opportunity to do it here in YC with so many wonderful colleagues. 

 

Now an update that I delayed until after the first day fun.  I am sorry to remind you all that the cost of medical care and insurance continues to rise.  We have sought outside bids – no one was able to quote us any better rate (or even close).  We have compared plans.  We have considered multiple options.  And sorry but this is it.

 

We have made the last possible drop for our base plan.  We are down to 10D – far below the basic level of protection that we sought for our members several years when the benefits committee drafted the YCTA mission statement for benefits.  We have continued to assure a level of protection for all our members and their families but it is now resting at a catastrophic level.  I would love to be able to offer you more hope but the cost of medical care (dominated by Sutter North) and our usage has led to higher rates for our area.  We have modified the options for buy-up to try to adjust the choices to allow for some more affordable options - I know still a tough cost.

 

                This is my attempt to summarize the big ideas.  The details are attached.

                Our options are limited to these five plans plus a high deductibel plan. 

                The Dsitrict will soon be sending out the forms for open enrollment.

 

plan	DEDUCTIBLES		COINSURANCE		CO-PAY	prescription	Cost over cap per month
	You pay this whole amount before insurance pays.		You pay this portion until you reach max.		Just to see doctor
	deductible indiv You pay all of this.	deductible family	% co-ins You pay this %	max co-ins per person	office visit	Generic/ brand name/ formulary	These costs are approximate and rounded to tens place.
2A	0	0	0	0	20	$5/$22	$680
4C	100	300	10%	0	20	$7/$25/$40	$560
Wellness C	500	1000	10%	500	20 or 40 (specialist)	$7/$25/$40	$480
8A	500	1500	20%	2000	major med you pay all until…	$5/$22	$360
10D base	2000	6000	20%	4000	major med you pay all until…	$10/30%/50% Min = $25/40 Max = $40/$100	$22

 

I would recommend that families consider the wellness plan as an option.  It offers rewards for practicing good health choices that may lead to better health and thus reduced medical costs.  Check it out at CVT (http://www.cvtrust.org/products/wellnessppo_plan.php#anthemwellness)

 

We have invited Dave Koop(davidk@cvtrust.org), CVT Account Manager to visit Yuba City during our open enrollment.  He will be in the YCTA Office September 6 and September 10 from 3 – 6 PM.  You may drop by to ask questions directly.  Plus Paula Manning or I may be able to address your questions.  In addition, the benefits person at your site (trained last year) may be able to help or your site rep (training this year at the first Rep Council meeting August 27).

 

There is a change for those members with a partner covered by CVT in our district or another.  YCTA has already indicated to YCUSD that we must negotiate the impact.  Watch for details as we work through the new rules.

 

I hope that you will have a happy and healthy new school year.  Perhaps we can make wellness a new theme for the year.  I actually left work for home at about 5PM and cooked salmon and vegetables for dinner for my family.  Let’s support each other this year in feeling good.  Our physical and emotional well being are vital to our health, happiness, and even our work.

 

Take care, Dina

Summary CVT Plans

CVT Plans Details