FRIC Home

Contact Us

Please contact one of the chairs of the Funded Retirement Insurance Committee. Use "Members" link below.

Agenda

Meetings/Minutes

Members

How to Apply

Related Links
(UI Benefits Office)

Funded Retirement and Insurance Committee Minutes February 3, 2011, 11:30 am 302 USB

Present:           Nancy Davin, Matthew Glasson, George Herbert, Daniel Katz, Sheldon Kurtz, Heather Schnoebelen, Bernard Sorofman, Victoria Sharp, Katherine Tachau, Anand Vijh, Lynn Vining, Michael Wichman; Sue Buckley, Richard Saunders

Absent:            Jon Garfinkel, Dagong Wang

Guests:            Carol Fethke, Dan Fick, Debra Hughes, Christine Miller, Amber Goedken, Joni Troester, Dianne Wasson, Nancy Williams, Rick Borchard, John Swenning

 

Introductions.  Introductions were completed.  Members whose terms expire this year were reminded to submit an application to serve on FRIC again if interested. Approval of Minutes from December 3, 2010.  The minutes were approved unanimously.

Open Enrollment Results.  A handout of active employee and student open enrollment in various plans was distributed.  Highlights included: UI Choice experienced a reduction in the number of health insurance contracts from 8800 to 8600.  Chip 2 dropped from 351 to 315.  Part of the reason for number changes is slightly less than 400 MSE staff were moved out of the P&S plans and into the State of Iowa health plans.  The stay away credit:  >50% stayed away, thus $200 was enough incentive to stay away.  Chip 2 is stabilizing around 315 and maintains its existence.  It becomes unviable when that number nears 100. If Chip 2 becomes unviable, subscribers would be given one year notice in the event of discontinuation.  The smaller the group gets, the greater the risk for participants and the current policy is that health insurance premium rates not increase >30%.  Didn’t see anything unusual in dental insurance except the number of Dental I single policies since Dental II single has better coverage and is also free. 

Working on calculation sheets for domestic partners. 

Weight Loss Drugs.  Amber Goedken distributed an overview of her research regarding weight loss drugs.  The research was done in response to requests from employees to cover weight loss medications, which are currently not covered.  She reviewed the research and allowed the opportunity for questions.  In summary, due to numerous side effects, risks, and reasonably minimal success, it is her recommendation that the University not cover the drugs.  Dan Katz questioned the recommendation since the drugs are already approved by the FDA and offered that it may be a viable alternative to surgery.  He remarked that all drugs have some level of risk and if we cover surgery for morbid obesity that we should be willing to provide medications and weight loss counseling.  Amber’s conclusion was that the drugs are not effective enough to prevent a patient from needing the surgery.

            In response to a question about the possibility of being proactive and covering a Weight Watchers membership instead, Joni Troester briefly discussed ongoing campus-wide wellness programs including a nutritional campaign in the dining services areas.  The program is free of charge so there is no accessibility issue.

            It was suggested that Benefits have a primary care (internal medicine or family medicine) or bariatric expert who routinely treats obese patients give their opinion about the use of drugs from their perspective.

UIHC Data.  Chris Miller presented the most recent patient satisfaction data in an effort to keep the committee informed as requested last year.  Highlights include: Access.  Next third available appointment is the common measure for ability to schedule an appointment within a reasonable amount of time.  There has been a 14% improvement overall since 2007.  Third available appointment is used as a realistic measure to account for same-day cancellations.  Kathryn Tachau expressed concern that Neurology and Psychiatry appear to be understaffed.  There are almost one million visits a year across all clinics. Phone trees are being standardized – there are more than 20,000 lines coming in to UIHC.  Efforts to improve access include Quick Care Clinics, River Crossing in Riverside, midwives have been added, a new clinic in Muscatine, Pediatrics in North Liberty, expanded hours in the Heart and Vascular Center, ability to schedule through MyChart, institution of a Service Excellence Program in February 2011 through in which 600 faculty and staff will participate with attention directed to the arrival experience.

Alternative Medicine.  Richard Saunders reported that at the last meeting the committee requested he arrange for Nicole Nisely to come and present a talk about alternative medicine.  He approached her and she is unavailable on Fridays.  General interest was favorable and it was decided to schedule her for a day other than Friday and those who can attend will participate.

Old business.  None. New business.  None.

The meeting adjourned at 1:02 pm. The next scheduled meeting is March 4, 2011, 11:30 am in 302 USB.

Minutes submitted by Nancy Davin.