HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - August 4, 2004 I-04AGENDA ITEM 1 14
CITY OF LODI
COUNCIL COMMUNICATION
TM
AGENDA TITLE: Discussion and appropriate action regarding Adoption of Resolution electing to
withdraw from the CaIPERS Medical Program (Public Employee's Medical and
Hospital Care Act)
MEETING DATE: Wednesday, August 40, 2004
PREPARED BY: Risk Manager
RECOMMENDED ACTION: That Council discuss and possibly adopt the attached Resolution of
the Lodi City Council Electing to Cease to be Subject to the Public
Employees' Medical and Hospital Care Act.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION: Staff is recommending withdrawal of the City of Lodi from the
CalPERS Medical Program primarily for the following reasons:
• Elimination of Sutter Hospitals and providers' medical groups from the
CalPERS Blue Shield Network for 2005
• Reduction in HMO health plans (from four to one)
• Historical premium trend (Blue Shield: 2003-23%, 2004-18%, 2005-23.7%)
• Institution of regional rating for 2005
• Annual premium increase for 2005
The City recently received medical insurance rate increases from CalPERS, which included an HMO
increase of 23.71%. Most employees (84%) are members of this HMO. These increases present the
City with additional expenditures for active City employees in calendar 2005 approximately $724,332
greater than 2004. A primary factor driving this increase is CalPERS' new practice of "regional rating".
This drives rates up in northern California while lowering them in southern California. CaIPERS Medical
Program members in the Los Angeles area will realize rate decreases of as much as 8.7%. The HMO
premium increase for State employees will increase, but only by 11.4%, not the 23.71% facing northern
California cities.
The City's benefits broker, ABD Insurance & Financial Services, has located a possible alternative
medical insurance provider; PacifiCare. After initial quotes were provided, PacifiCare subsequently
reduced its rates for both active employees and retirees. As is currently available with CaIPERS, Kaiser
would also be an optional carrier along with PacifiCare. Preliminary rate estimates have increased
unexpectedly, but are not 100% final — the potential still exists they may come in lower. PacifiCare/
Kaiser's rates for active City employees in calendar 2005 represent additional expenditures in calendar
2005 approximately $353,970 greater than calendar 2004. This generates a savings of $370,362 when
compared to the CaIPERS increase.
The City Manager had conducted meetings with representatives of the City's various bargaining groups,
active City employees, as well as retirees. At these meetings many questions were asked regarding the
possible transition to a new h ealth carrier a nd answers were p rovided. A written FAQ s heet was e -
mailed or U.S. post mailed to those who could not attend.
The decision before Council today is not to definitively select a new medical carrier, but to decide on
whether the City should leave the CalPERS Medical Program. A new carrier must be selected in the
month of September. This communication was prepared prior to receiving word from all bargaining
groups regarding their participation in the potential change. Preliminary feedback is that most would not
object to a transition away from the CalPERS Medical Program. However, Council has reviewed the
letter from Lodi Professional Firefighters stating they "believe it is in the best interest of the City, and their
firefighters to stay with CalPERS medical plans." Staff has learned that since the City of Lodi entered the
CalPERS Medical Program as one entity, if it chooses to leave, it must do so the same way -- as one
entire entity. It is not possible for individual City of Lodi bargaining groups to remain in the program. As
this communication is being written, meetings are being set up with Lodi Professional Firefighters to
ascertain what their specific concerns are regarding this possible change, and whether PacifiCare or the
City can address those concerns.
There are no guarantees that future CalPERS rate increases will not continue to come in at unacceptable
levels. Other northern California cities have left (Yuba City, Folsom) and are considering withdrawing
from CalPERS. This will leave behind those that have difficulty finding alternative health carriers, e.g.,
cities that use medical services and facilities to a relatively high degree. This would only serve to make
remaining northern California CalPERS Medical Program members the more expensive users of the
system — creating further pressure to drive up rates.
Concern has been expressed by City staff that PacifiCare rates could increase dramatically in future
years. In a letter presented at the Council shirtsleeve 7127104, Heidi Duncan, Senior Business Manager
for PacifiCare, does offer retention and health care cost trend guarantees relative to their 2006 rate. In
no way do these guarantees assure the entire rate increase for 2006 will be capped, but specific
components of it will be. The 2005 CalPERS rate increase will raise the annual medical bill for active
employees to a level such that if CalPERS only raised their rates by 18% in 2006 (this was their increase
in 2004), PacifiCare would have to raise their rates by 28% in order to reach an equivalent medical bill for
the year. In other words, the City is money ahead if it transitions to PacifiCare and their increase in 2006
is any figure less than 28%.
Given the City of Lodi must now make every effort toward reducing expenditures to bring them in line with
revenues, and we have a savings of $370,362 available to us over calendar year 2005 (potentially from a
program that provides benefits equivalent or superior to CalPERS) it is staffs recommendation the City
withdraw from the CalPERS Medical Plan. In the next few weeks we will finalize procurement of a new
medical carrier, and bring this back to Council for approval.
Representatives from ABD and PacifiCare will be present at this Council meeting to answer any
questions Council members may have. As a reminder, any decision by the City to withdraw from the
CalPERS Medical Program requires adoption of a resolution to this effect by August 14th, 2004.
FUNDING: Not Applicable
1. Evans
Manager
RESOLUTION NO. 2004-
A RESOLUTION OF THE LODI CITY COUNCIL ELECTING
TO CEASE TO BE SUBJECT TO THE PUBLIC
EMPLOYEES' MEDICAL AND HOSPITAL CARE ACT
DRAFT
WHEREAS, Government Code Section 22938 provides that a local agency which has
elected to be subject to the Public Employees' Medical and Hospital Care Act may cease to be
so subject by proper application by the local agency; and
WHEREAS, the City of Lodi, hereinafter referred to as Public Agency is a local agency
which has elected to be subject to the provisions of the Act;
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Public Agency elect, and it does
hereby elect, to cease to be subject to the provisions of the Act; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that coverage of the Act cease on December 31, 2004.
Approved this 4d' day of August, 2004
LARRY D. HANSEN
Mayor
Attest:
SUSAN J. BLACKSTON
City Clerk
State of California
County of San Joaquin, ss.
I hereby certify that Resolution No. 2004- was passed and adopted by the City Council of
the City of Lodi in a regular meeting held August 4, 2004, by the following vote:
AYES: COUNCIL MEMBERS —
NOES; COUNCIL MEMBERS —
ABSENT: COUNCIL MEMBERS —
ABSTAIN: COUNCIL MEMBERS —
SUSAN J. BLACKSTON
City Clerk
Approved as to Form:
D. STEPHEN SCHWABAUER
City Attorney
I -q
Jennifer Perrin
From:
Curt Juran
Sent:
Tuesday, August 03, 2004 3:42 PM
To:
Joanne Narloch
Cc:
Peter M. Iturraran; Chet Somera; Mark Zollo; Diana S. Gonzales; Greg Ramirez; City Council;
Ann Areida-Hintz; Betsy Peterson; Buzz Fujitani; Charles Swimley; Cory Wadlow; Curt Juran;
David Morimoto; Del Kerlin; Dennis Callahan; Frank R. Beeler; Gary Wiman; George M.
Bradley; Hans Hansen (Lodi EUD); Jeanie Biskup; Joel Harris; Joseph Wood; Mark White;
Maxine Cadwallader; Mel Grandi (Lodi EUD); Michael Reese; Odette (Lourdes Bondoc);
Paula Fernandez; Rachel Sawyer; Rebecca Areida; Roy Todd; Ruby Paiste; Sharon Welch;
Sondra Huff (Lodi EUD); Stacy Christy (Lodi EUD); Steve Dutra; Steve Mann; Susan Bjork;
Tiffani Fink; Tom Alexander; Tyson; Wally Sandelin
Subject:
Discontinuation Of CialPERS Insurance
The L.C.M,M.A. met on Monday, August 2, 2004, and discussed the options available to us regarding
health insurance for 2005. The opinion of those in attendance last night is that we feel strongly that
the City of nodi does need to save money in future years, but are concerned that money saved will be
spent on new programs and/or construction projects. We feel that adding programs or the construction
of new facilities would be contrary to any attempts to save money. The City is already short staffed
and any new facilities would strain our employee resources even further. In addition, we are having to
cut back on maintenance of the facilities and landscape we currently have. In what we feel is in the
best interest of the City, the L.C.M.M.A. has agreed on changing insurance providers with the
implementation of the amendment to our contract as spelled out in the attached letter.
You will be receiving a signed copy of this letter in interoffice mail. Please feel free to contact me if
have any questions about this.
Curt Juran
President LCMMA
P.O. Sox 1010
Woodbridge, CA 95258
ph. (209) 333-6740 fax (209) 333-5506
email cjuran@lodi.gov
E]
Discontinue
:a [PEPS inrO.doc (..
PRESIDENT
Curt Juran
VICE PRESIDENT
Joseph Wood
SECTARY
Charlie Swimley
TREASURER
Cory Wadlow
SAR-GLNT AT ARM
Jeannie Biskup
LODI CrrY MID - MANAGERS ASSOCUT ON
L.C.M.M.A.
P.O. Box ioio
WOODBRIDGE, CA 95258
August 3, 2004
Ms. Joanne Narloch
Human Resources Director
221 West Pine Street
Lodi, CA 95240
Re: Discontinue CaIPERS Insurance
Dear Ms. Narloch,
The L.C.M.M.A. met on Monday, August 2, 2004, and discussed the options
available to us regarding health insurance for 2005. We feel strongly that the
City of Lodi does need to save money in future years, but are concerned that
money saved will be spent on new programs and/or construction projects. We
feel that adding programs or the construction of new facilities would be contrary
to any attempts to save money. The City is already short staffed and any new
facilities would strain our employee resources even further. In what we feel is in
the best interest of the City, the L.C.M.M.A. has agreed on changing insurance
providers with the following amendment to our contract:
15.1 All employees are offered medical insurance for themselves and
dependents. The City shall pay 100% of the premium for
employee only, up to the highest HMO available in our
geographical area. Effective as soon as administratively
possible, employees shall contribute $80.00 per month for
Employee Plus One and $104.00 per month for full family
coverage. Should an employee decide to elect single medical
coverage, the City of Lodi will deposit $25.00 per pay period into
the employee's deferred compensation account. If no coverage
is elected, $71.15 per pay period will be deposited into the
employee's deferred compensation account.
15.2 Only one City of Lodi employee may carry dependent coverage
for another City employee. Co -payments incurred due to the loss
of dual coverage will be reimbursed by the City of Lodi on a
quarterly basis.
15.3 Retired employees will have the ability to purchase lifetime
medical coverage regardless of insurance provider.
15.4 The City of Lodi will contribute to the retirees medical premium
cost for health insurance as spelled out in the letter to retirees
dated February 27, 2003, reflecting the changes as specified in
Senate Bill 1464, effective January 1, 2004, as follow:
January 2004: $32.20 per month
January 2005: $48.40 per month
January 2006: $64.60 per month
January 2007: $80.80 per month
January 2008: $97.00 per month.
The L.C.M.M.A. would like to encourage the City Council to reserve the savings
from the reduced health insurance premiums to offset the cost of maintaining
current employee benefits and wages.
We feel the requests above are reasonable and prudent, as they reflect current
practices or are of no cost to the City of Lodi. These requests must be agreed
to in writing prior to our acceptance of any changes to our current Memorandum
of Understanding.
Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions or as soon as a
decision is made.
Sincerely,
Curtis Juran
L.C.M.M.A. President
CalPERS 2005 Health Premiums -- Regional
Contracting Agencies Onl
_
•
Single
2004
1
2005
2005
Percent
Fercent
C�ange ({;-)
Single
2 -Party
Family
Single
2 -Party
Family
Changs
Blue Shield CA
$319.97
$639.94
$959.91
,
0
$863.34
-10.06%
Kaiser CA
273.86
547.72
821.58
0 m 1
.
L"Im �.�
-11.19%
KaiserlOut of State
239.50
479.00
718.50
NOHOW
112
782.85
Blue Shield CA
$315.22
$630.44
$819.57
$389.96
$779.92
$9,013.90
23.71%
Kaiser CA
305.42
610.84
794.09
354.69
709.38
922.19
16.13%
PERS Choice
349.41
698.82
908.47
369.74
739.48
961.32
5.82%
PERSCare
544.77
1,089.54
1416.40
619.93
1,239.86
1,611.82
13.80%
PORAC
399.00
733.00
931.00
399.00
748.00
950.00
1.80•/0
WHA
280.41
560.82
729.07
322.47
644.94
83$.42
15.00%
..
•
■ s
Area
Los Angeles,
San
Bernardino,
Ventura
Blue Shield CA
$315.22
$630.44
$819.57
$287.751
$575.50
$748.15
-8.71%
Kaiser CA
305.42
610.84
794.09
294.78
589.56
766.43
-3.48%
PERS Choice
349.41
698.82
908.47
344.12
688.24
894.71
-1.51%44.77
PERSCare
5
1,089.54
1,416.40
576.96
1,153.92
1500.10
5.91%
PORAC
399.00
733.00
931.00
399.00
748.00
950.00
1.80%
Basic
Premium
RatesOther
Southern
Fresno, Imperial,
Inyo, Kern,
Kings,
Madera,
Riverside,
Orange, San
Diego,
San Luis
Obispo,
Santa Barbara,
Blue Shield CA
$315.22
$630."1
$819.57
$323.261
$646.50
$840.45
2.54%
Kaiser CA
305.42
610.84
794.09
308.24
616.48
801.42
0.92%
PERS Choice
349.41
698.82
908.47
351.44
702.88
913.741
0.58%
PERSCare
544.77
1,089.54
1,416.40
589.24
1,178.48
1,532.02
8.16%
PORAC
399.00
733.00
931.00
399.00
748.00
950.00
1.80%
Basic
`
Other
NorthernZalifornia
Butte, Calaveras, Colusa,
Del Norte,
Glenn, Humboldt, Lake, Lassen,
Manposa,
Idendocino,fflerced,
Modoc,
Mono,;
Monter,Alpine,
Benito,
Shasta, Sierta,
Siskiyou,r.
Blue Shield CA
$315.221
$630.44
$819.57
$394.26
$788.52
$1,025.08
25.07%
Kaiser CA
305.42
610.84
794.09
362.58
725.16
942.71
18.72%
PERS Choice
349.41
698.82
908.47
384.38
768.76
999.39
10.01%
PERSCare
544.77.
1,089.54
1,416.40
644.48
1,288.96
1,675.65
18.30%
PORAC
399.00
733.00
931.00
399.00
748.00
950.00
1.80%
WHA 1
280.41
660.82
f2_9 0-71
322.47
644.94
838,421
15.00%
'
Out of
Kaiser/Out of State
$426.93
$853.86
$1,110.02
3475.92
$951.84
$1,237.39
11.47%
PERS Choice
349.41
698.82
908.47
402.69
805.38
1,046.99
15.25%
PERSCare
544.77
1,089.54
1,416.40
675.17
1,350.34
1,755.44
23.94%
PORAC
399.00
733.00
931.00
399.00
748.00
950.00
1.80%
_
•
Single
2004
2 -Party I
Family
2005
Fercent
C�ange ({;-)
Singh-
2 -Party Family
Medicare
Premium Rates
- All Regions
Blue Shield CA
$319.97
$639.94
$959.91
$287.78
$575.56
$863.34
-10.06%
Kaiser CA
273.86
547.72
821.58
243.22*
486.44*
729.66*
-11.19%
KaiserlOut of State
239.50
479.00
718.50
260.95
521.96
782.85
8.96%
PERS Choice
305.67
611.34
917-01
279.60
559.20
838.80
-8.53%
PERSCare
336.07
672.14
1008.21
289.32
578.64
867.96
-13.91%
PORAL
j 351.00
7,01.001
1,049.00
351.00701.00
11049.001
0.00%
WHA
280-241_5W.481
840.72
280.241
560.481
840.72
0.00"/0
'These Kaiser Medicare premiums are lower than those approved by the COPERS Board in June 2-044 and are subject to Board approval.
W0104
Approved Regions
Public agency membership numbers include all {dans:
Blue Shield, PERSCare, PERS Choice, Kaiser and Western Health Advantage.
LIST OF CALIFORNIA COUNTIES BY REGION
Bay Area/
Los Angeles
Other Southern
Other Northern
Out -of -State
Sacramento
California
California
Contra Costa
Los Angeles
Orange
Monterey
Out -of -State
Alameda
San Bernardino
Riverside
Stanisiaus
Solano
Ventura
San Diego
Butte
San Mateo
San Luis Obispo
Humboldt
Sacramento
Santa Barbara
Shasta
Santa Clara
Fresno
Lake
Placer
Madera
Merced
Santa Cruz
Kern
Siskiyou
San Joaquin
Inyo
Alpine
Sonoma
Tulare
Glenn
YQb
Kings
San Benito
Marin
Imperial
Mendocino
San Francisco
Tuolumne
Nevada
Calaveras
Napa
Mariposa
El Dorado
Trinity
Sutter
Plumas
Amador
Lassen
Yuba
Mono
Colusa
Tehama
Del Norte
Modoc
Sierra
Kaiser already regionally prices its out -of --state premium. Kaiser covers CalPERS members in six regions outside California and
Calculates its overall out-of-state premium by using the average premium for those six regions.
Regional Pricing Questions and Answers
What is Health care costs throughout California vary. Regional pricing adjusts
regional premiums to reflect the actual cost of health care in a given region.
pricing?
Who does Regional pricing affects contracting public agency members enrolled in the
regional prig Basic Plan. Regional pricing does not impact Medicare enrolled retirees.
impact?
Will regional No. CalPERS will continue to base the state rate on the entire Ca1PERS pool
prig affect of both public and state agencies. Public agencies will be priced using public
the state rate. agency information only and their rates will closely align with what they
would pay in the open market where they are located.
Why regionally Without regional pricing, CaiPERS members in low cost regions pay
price? premiums in excess of market rates. Those in high cost regions pay less than
market rates. Last year CalPERS lost 37,000 members, mostly in low cost
regions. The loss increased premiums for the remaining members by almost
three percent. Regional pricing will ensure CalPERS' premiums are
competitive throughout California, stabilizing costs by providing contracting
agencies with an increased incentive to stay with Ca1PERS.
How did CalPERS contracted with Milliman USA to analyze CaIPERS-specific data.
Ca1P.ERS creating county cost indices, and then grouping counties to create regions.
create regions?
IVIilliman developed county cost indices, adjusting for:
• Insurance variation.
• Age, sex and disease burden.
• Family composition.
• Administrative fees.
Milliman and CalPERS used the following criteria to group counties into Eve
regions:
• Location.
• Cost indices.
• Number of members.
How will Stab' will apply Board approved regional factors (see below) to the 2005 state
premiums be premium to calculate each regional premium. For example, if the regional
impacted by factor is 1.05 and the 2405 state premium is $250, the regional premium is
regional 1.05 times $250 or $262.50.
pricing?
Staff recommended regional factors:
Insert chart
Will regional Member share of premium is subject to the contract negotiation process. This
'priding change process generally involves the employer and the employees' representative.
members out Although Ca1PERS is not involved in these contract negotiations, we
of -pocket anticipate that regional pricing will result in more contracting agencies
expenditures? remaining in the Ca1PERS health cane pool, stabilizing future costs.
The Hidden, Unknown and Unanticipated
Costs of Leaving CaIPERS
916-658-1233 CAPERS Blue Shield
or c:aikw«gid
31�F Cr,,, or Cali'mI.a is an Wepentlent Un lnOf-penile^1 �Aemi�er
ZV Coos; Fssxiatic� r.. the El., he'1c
Revised 04/09/04 G
A KAISER PERMANENTE.
provider level.
II.J:_y,�Vi ILyGI l i AJy G1 it FG.-17G1i Il�. _ L..LJa'71..:I�i 1 IGCil L1 ilsGll.Gv �
iy pursuing altema#ire #�elth benefit optronS ai hay tfOwida#ect
bac �rnplo�r+
ran rnaxir-jze your benefit IS'ars
In addition, the CalPERS Board sponsored legislation that became law, effective January 1,
2004, allowing CaIPERS, on behalf of public agencies, to have flexibility in both pricing and
benefit structure.
2
4
ges in your agency's demographics an[li-s?pet'
)n lives?:How will you fund future rate incresses?.
Public agencies have unique costs associated with the purchase and delivery of a health benefits program.
First-year premium rates are only one component of the costs and are no guarantee of long-term cost
savings, liability protection or labor satisfaction. in choosing to administer your own healthcare plan, you
will have to duplicate most or all of the services currently provided by CalPERS. Consider the following
important points when evaluating participation in the CalPERS health benefits program and the significant
impact that may result to your healthcare costs and administrative resources:
In. choosing to administer your own healttaeare plan, you may experience substantial
increases m adr inistrative costs, resulting from labor. relations' time and expense relating
to labor negotiations involving benefit design, renewals, contribution levels, provider
network/out-of-area coverage and retiree issues. Additionally, education and training will be
required, possibly requiring new job classifications in order to provide the level of expertise
CaIPERS furnishes, in administering your plan, in managing the services provided by your broker
and in interpreting contracts, legislative compliance and other mandates. If you join a coalition,
you will need to represent your agency on a regular basis and take on the "hat" of evaluating
renewals: and other information .to -disseminate to your board/council members.
The additional work may drive additional costs, as you may be required to hire more human
resources support staff to administer your plan. This staff will be required to act in capacities
such as contract interpretation, contract development, dispute resolution and legislative and
administrative compliance as well as to facilitate open -enrollment events and materials. It is
important to remember that from a legislative and contractual compliance basis, your agency
must provide all of the resources and services that CaIPERS provides. Online services for health
enrollment., billing and electronic fund transfer are also provided by CaIPERS to participating
public agency employers at no charge. CaIPERS charges a very low administrative fee, currently
less than one-half of 1 percent at 0.44%.
Blue Shield
(916) Sv8-1233 CAPERS ofcalffomia KAISER PERMANEWE®
�.IM IL Bit.e[rass of Cld—raisan 1141 Pe 11 A. im.p¢ dent Member
Revised 04/09/Iy4 H SISM KP -5 '..
t�thP61V CAR -b- ftMS1U ShpldA-anon
2
Executive Office
P.O. Box 942701
Sacramento, CA. 94229-2701
Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (916) 326-3240
CaIPERS. (916) 326-3851, FAX (916) 341-2545
April 2004
We've heard you.
I want to assure you the California Public Employees' Retirement System's (CaIPERS) Board Qf
Administration has a renewed focus on public employer needs and understands the unique health-
care issues facing you and your employees. We know many of you are looking at the marketplace
to help answer the difficult questions around rising healthcare premiums.
The CaIPERS Board is aware of the recent increase in marketing efforts directed at public employ-
ers in California. Several issues are fueling these efforts, and I want to share these with you, as
well as highlight the significant benefits of staying with CaIPERS and the increased costs to
your agency should a decision be made to leave CaIPERS and contract for your health ben-
efits program from another party.
Due to Vehicle License Fee (VLF) reductions, the Educational Revenue Augmentation Fund (ERAF)
changes, reduced state funding and additional budget reductions impacting local governments,
your human resources and budget staff are facing unprecedented fiscal pressures. Unfortunately,
these pressures coincide with the aggressive marketing tactics focused on public agencies by
brokers and health plans, causing many to erroneously believe- savingscan be found in their
healthcare preMiu _ $ thMUgh "first-year rates."
Please be aware your future healthcare costs for employees involve more than just initial
low premiums offered by brokers working on commission. There are a considerable number of
costs associated with administering a health program on-site, requiring in-depth knowledge to
oversee and plan performance and to understand benefit design, contribution levels, renewals,
contract provisions, out -of -area coverage, retiree issues and cost containment. Should you leave
CaIPERS, all of these factors will significantly contribute to your future renewal costs, which you
Will no longer be able to spread over a risk. off! of 1.2 million members.
When presented with proposals to leave CaIPERS, please be aware that the CaIPERS Board of
Administration has adopted a five-year waiting period for a public employer that elects to ter-
minate participation under CaIPERS and the Public Employees' Medical and Hospital Care Act
before it may return to CaIPERS.
A -gW*
-2-
Currently,, CalPERS administers your,health benefit oroaMm at thp yety lowest fee available tQ
public em foyers in the state. CalPERS administrative costs are .44 percent, or less than half a
percent of premium. With CalPERS, there are no broker commissions or additional fees for materi-
als, annual enrollment, rate negotiations or contract development. Further, smaller public agencies
cannot duplicate the resources provided by CalPERS and its health plan partners, such as support
with specialists in information technology, benefit administration, online enrollment, employee
communications, educational material, legal review, provider negotiations, network maintenance,
member grievances and legislative and policy updates.
Through CalPERS, your agency receives a premium that is predictable, steady and not subject to
sudden spikes or unanticipated plan cancellations. A recent survey by Milliman U.S.A. shows
that CaIPERS HMO rate increases have been lower than the state and national averages for
the past ten years (see enclosed chart).
CalPERS insures over 1.2 million lives and is the largest purchaser of public health benefits in
California and the second largest purchaser in the nation. No p jic agency in Caiifomia has more
clout than CalPERS with health plans. the medical community and labor grogps__wftn tacidina the
complicated issues influenching healthcare premiums and deli . There is no equivalent voice for
agencies and schools to promote accountability, performance and competition among healthcare
providers. And, CalPERS offers the leverage of size and contract stability that enables it to provide
wellness and disease management programs designed specifically to meet the needs of your
CalPERS participants.
CalPERS is driving the market to better maximize your healthcare dollar—instead of reacting to
market forces. Today, CalPER is actiyQly ou!§ na:
• Alignment in the amounts paid by public agencies for health insurance through CalPERS
with what they would pay in the open market
• Greater flexibility to offer varied benefit options to meet public agencies' and employees'
diverse needs
• Responsible, innovative strategies to impact and address the key drivers of healthcare
cost increases, such as hospital costs
I hope you will remain with CalPERS as we move forward together to address and solve the chal-
lenges we all face in the healthcare arena. Please let us know if you have questions or if we can
be of service to you. You may reach Curtis Howard, Chief, Office of Employer and Member Health
Services, at (916) 326-3577.
Sincerely,
Jarvio A. Grevious
Assistant Executive Officer
Health Benefits
Enclosures
CaiPERS Leads the Nation and the State
in Low -Cost Public Agency Healthcare
CalPERS Basic HMO Increases Compared to National
and State HMO Averages
2.2
2.0
1.8
4i
1.0
0.8
0.6
1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003
10 YEARS COMPOUNDED: CaIPERS HMO * National HMO California HMO
0
BlueCross
of California
Blue Shield
(916) 658-1233 Ca1P`ERS -''FES of California
Bi` C"'
CAf.— is-inticpenDent AnIMppendenl 6Ae ,
Licenyee of the B l oe C—All—l- of the Bl ue Sheld Asia[ ial ion
Revised 04109!04 C
A KAISER PERMANENTE®
to simplify the enrollment process for employers and employees.
Blue Shield
{916) 658-1233 Ca1PERS I]
uc C-11. in oe,nctni ., r,InticpennFn[AAcm6e•
RLvised 04/09/04 D u rie6' <e•e[s :so r.r t Pl-=nejdA.—dvon
14 KAISER PERMANENTE.
2
(916) 658-1233
Revised 04/09/04 E
'.' 'T
Blue Shield
CaIPERS 9 O'Califurnia
E6,1r— 1� cA , ' 1'.BP—[ �, 1M,p,.d-t I��
mr
L is msec , ; h, EI e c ';S A, —iM.' ' Cl ,h, a. sh.ld Assxiarion
A VAISER PERMANENTE®
Determine
your future
before
making
a
decision
about
health
benefits
(916) 658-1233
Revised 04/09/04 E
'.' 'T
Blue Shield
CaIPERS 9 O'Califurnia
E6,1r— 1� cA , ' 1'.BP—[ �, 1M,p,.d-t I��
mr
L is msec , ; h, EI e c ';S A, —iM.' ' Cl ,h, a. sh.ld Assxiarion
A VAISER PERMANENTE®
2
(9
�- Blue Shield
(916) 658-1233 CaIPERS ofGalijimlia
£lue EroR cl C�'ifo.nr'�sa",�PentlM�l tinp�en�nl �u rr��r
Revised 04/09/04 F2 8100
«rte d,ri Ecw=. 5_ad n of0.nee,�esneie ,su: , .n
A KAISER PFRMANENTE.
00 bt
Yep
s
care due �o
c
(9
�- Blue Shield
(916) 658-1233 CaIPERS ofGalijimlia
£lue EroR cl C�'ifo.nr'�sa",�PentlM�l tinp�en�nl �u rr��r
Revised 04/09/04 F2 8100
«rte d,ri Ecw=. 5_ad n of0.nee,�esneie ,su: , .n
A KAISER PFRMANENTE.